Renaissance Art in Northern Renaissance Art in Northern EuropeEurope

Renaissance Art in Northern Renaissance Art in Northern EuropeEurope

, Should not be considered an appendage to Italian art.

, But, Italian influence was strong.Painting in OIL, developed in Flanders,

was widely adopted in Italy., The differences between the two cultures:

Italy change was inspired by humanism with its emphasis on the revival of the values of classical antiquity.

No. Europe change was driven by religious reform, the return to Christian values, and the revolt against the authority of the Church.

, More princes & kings were patrons of artists.

Characteristics of Northern Characteristics of Northern Renaissance ArtRenaissance Art

Characteristics of Northern Characteristics of Northern Renaissance ArtRenaissance Art

, The continuation of late medieval attention to details.

, Tendency toward realism & naturalism [less emphasis on the “classical ideal”].

, Interest in landscapes., More emphasis on middle-class

and peasant life., Details of domestic interiors., Great skill in portraiture.

Begins in FlandersBegins in FlandersBegins in FlandersBegins in FlandersMoves from there to France, Germany,

and Spain

Dutch RealismDutch RealismDutch RealismDutch Realism

Jan van Eyck (1395 – 1441)Jan van Eyck (1395 – 1441)Jan van Eyck (1395 – 1441)Jan van Eyck (1395 – 1441)

, More courtly and aristocratic work. Court painter to

the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good.

, The Virgin and Chancellor Rolin, 1435.

Giovanni Giovanni Arnolfini and Arnolfini and

His WifeHis Wife

(Wedding (Wedding Portrait)Portrait)

Jan Van EyckJan Van Eyck

14341434

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/eyck/arnolfini/arnolfini.jpghttp://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/eyck/arnolfini/arnolfini.jpg

The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami; 1434

In the mirror at the back of the room we see the whole scene reflected from behind, and there, so it seems, we also see the image of the painter and witness. We do not know whether it was the Italian merchant or the northern artist who conceived the idea of making this use of the new kind of painting, which may be compared to the legal use of a photograph, properly endorsed by a witness. But whoever it was that originated this idea, he had certainly been quick to understand the tremendous possibilities which lay in Van Eyck's new way of painting. For the first time in history the artist became the perfect eye-witness in the truest sense

of the term.

Symbolic candleThe solitary flame burning in bright daylight can be interpreted as the bridal candle, or God's all-seeing eye, or simply as a devotional candle. Another symbol is St Margaret (the patron saint of women in childbirth), whose image is carved on the high chairback.

The mirror is painted with almost miraculous skill. Its carved frame is inset with ten miniature medallions depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Yet more remarkable is the mirror's reflection, which includes van Eyck's own tiny self-portrait, accompanied by another man who may have been the official witness to the ceremony.

Symbol of faithfulnessAlmost every detail can be interpreted as a symbol. The companion dog is seen as a symbol of faithfulness and love. The fruits on the window ledge probably stand for fertility and our fall from Paradise. Even the discarded shoes are not thought to be incidental, but to signify

the sanctity of marriage.

Jan van EyckJan van Eyck - Giovanni Arnolfini & His Wife - Giovanni Arnolfini & His Wife (details)(details)

Jan van EyckJan van Eyck - Giovanni Arnolfini & His Wife - Giovanni Arnolfini & His Wife (details)(details)

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

, The greatest of German artists.

, A scholar as well as an artist.

, His patron was the Emperor Maximilian I.

, Also a scientist Wrote books on

geometry, fortifications, and human proportions.

, Self-conscious individualism of the Renaissance is seen in his portraits.

, Self-Portrait at 26, 1498.

Dürer – Dürer – Self-Portrait in Self-Portrait in Fur-Collared RobeFur-Collared Robe, 1500, 1500Dürer – Dürer – Self-Portrait in Self-Portrait in

Fur-Collared RobeFur-Collared Robe, 1500, 1500

He was an engraver!

It almost looks like photography

http://www.washacadsci.org/flowers/grasses-the%20large%20turf.albrecht%20durer.large.jpgge%20turf.albrecht%20durer.large.jpg

Dürer Dürer

FourFourHorsemenHorsemen

of theof theApocalypsApocalyps

ee

woodcut, woodcut, 14981498

Dürer Dürer

FourFourHorsemenHorsemen

of theof theApocalypsApocalyps

ee

woodcut, woodcut, 14981498

He did this just from an oral description.He never saw a real Rhinoceros!

http://www.washacadsci.org/flowers/grasses-the%20large%20turf.albrecht%20durer.large.jpgge%20turf.albrecht%20durer.large.jpg

Everybody’sfavoritetattoo?

http://www.elca.org/questions/Results.asp?recid=26http://www.elca.org/questions/Results.asp?recid=26

Hans Holbein, the Younger Hans Holbein, the Younger (1497-1543)(1497-1543)

Hans Holbein, the Younger Hans Holbein, the Younger (1497-1543)(1497-1543)

, One of the great German artists who did most of his work in England.

, While in Basel, he befriended Erasmus. Erasmus Writing, 1523

, Henry VIII was his

patron from 1536., Great portraitist

noted for: Objectivity &

detachment. Doesn’t conceal the

weaknesses of his subjects.

Artist to the TudorsArtist to the TudorsArtist to the TudorsArtist to the Tudors

Henry VIII (left), 1540 Henry VIII (left), 1540 and the future Edward and the future Edward VI (above), 1543.VI (above), 1543.

The English Were More The English Were More Interested in Architecture than Interested in Architecture than

PaintingPainting

The English Were More The English Were More Interested in Architecture than Interested in Architecture than

PaintingPainting

Hardwick Hall, designed by Robert Smythson in the Hardwick Hall, designed by Robert Smythson in the 1590s, for the Duchess of Shrewsbury [more medieval in 1590s, for the Duchess of Shrewsbury [more medieval in

style].style].

Burghley House for William Burghley House for William CecilCecil

Burghley House for William Burghley House for William CecilCecil

The largest & grandest house The largest & grandest house of the early Elizabethan era.of the early Elizabethan era.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569)1569)

Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569)1569)

, One of the greatest artistic geniuses of his age.

, Worked in Antwerp and then moved to Brussels.

, In touch with a circle of Erasmian humanists.

, Was deeply concerned with human vice and follies.

, A master of landscapes; not a portraitist. People in his works often have round, blank,

heavy faces. They are expressionless, mindless, and

sometimes malicious. They are types, rather than individuals. Their purpose is to convey a message.

Bruegel’s, Bruegel’s, Tower of BabelTower of Babel, 1563, 1563Bruegel’s, Bruegel’s, Tower of BabelTower of Babel, 1563, 1563

Bruegel’s, Bruegel’s, The Triumph of DeathThe Triumph of Death, , 15621562

Bruegel’s, Bruegel’s, The Triumph of DeathThe Triumph of Death, , 15621562

New IdeasNew IdeasNew IdeasNew Ideas

New Philosophical Ideas

New Political Ideas

New Ideas in Education

Humanist

, Renaissance humanists , Idealized the classical world of the

ancient Greeks and Romans, Focused on man and his intellectual

powers, Focused on the classical ideal of

seeking fulfillment and meaning in daily life

, Focused on individual worth and potential

, Focused on many secular (non-religious) aspects of life

• The best known Christian humanist was Desiderius Erasmus.

• He developed what he called “the philosophy of Christ,” meant to show people how to live good lives on a daily basis rather than how to achieve salvation.

• He stressed inward piety, not external observance of rules and rituals.

Erasmus and Christian Humanism

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/h/holbein/erasmus.jpg

• To reform the Church, Erasmus wanted to spread the philosophy of Christ, educate people about Christianity, and criticize the abuses of the Church.

• In his 1509 work The Praise of Folly, he especially criticized the monks.

• Erasmus did not want to break away from the Church, as later reformers would.

• Yet people of his day said, “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.” What does this mean?

Erasmus and Christian Humanism

• Thomas More wrote a famous book called Utopia which was about an “ideal” society

• Thomas More famously opposed the king and was beheaded.

What is it With theseBritish kings And beheading!

Authorof Utopia…how ironic!

Thomas More of England

The Impact of Printing

The Renaissance saw the development of printing in Europe.

Johannes Gutenberg of Germany played a crucial role in the process.

Gutenberg’s Bible, printed about 1455, was the first European book produced from movable type.

The Impact of Printing

Or the Impact of Computers

Most papers and magazines are now digitalized.

How has the computer changed communication today and an examination of current invasions of privacy?

ObjectivesObjectives

1. List three characteristics of the Renaissance2. Explain the three estates of Renaissance

society.3. Explain Renaissance education.4. Describe artistic contributions of the

Renaissance.5. Describe Christian humanism6. Describe Luther’s role in the Reformation7. Describe religious changes in Switzerland, in

England, and within the Catholic Church.