The Northern Renaissance

The Renaissance Moves North Because of the plague, it was not until 1450 did northern Europe enjoy the economic growth that helped support the Renaissance in Italy. Northern artists and writers imitated Italian styles while adding new methods and ideas of their own. As a result of the printing press, books became more available and people became more literate.

Humanism in Europe Northern Humanists stressed education and classical learning, However, unlike the Italian humanists, they emphasized religious themes. They believed that the revival should be used to bring about religious and moral reform.

Art in the North The 16th century heralded a new era for painting in the Netherlands and Germany. Northern artists were influenced by the great innovations in the South Many artists traveled to Italy to study The Renaissance concern for bringing modern science and philosophy into art was also evident in the North.

Albrecht Duerer Albrecht Duerer was without doubt the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance. Found inspiration in the work of painters of both major European artistic centers of his time. Rather than simply imitating what others were doing, Duerer was very much an innovator. First artist who is known to have painted a self-portrait and to have done a landscape painting of a specific scene.

Albrecht Duerer The range and versatility of Duerer's work is astonishing. His woodcuts and engravings made him famous Still considered to be the greatest printmaker of all time. As an oil painter, Duerer was equally successful at religious and secular subjects, producing magnificent altarpieces and powerful portraits. His drawings and watercolors are impressive for their diversity of subject-matter

Hans Holbein Born in Augsburg, a rich merchant city with close trading relations with Italy The knowledge which Durer strove for so passionately throughout his life thus came more naturally to Holbein. Coming from a painter's family he absorbed the achievements of both the northern and the Italian artists. He was hardly over thirty when he painted the wonderful painting of the Virgin with the family of the burgomaster of Basle as donors.

Hans Holbein Holbein had careful attention to detail and a certain indifference to conventional beauty These were characteristics that show Holbein had learned his trade in the North. He was on his way to becoming the leading master of the German-speaking countries However the turmoil of the Reformation put an end to all such hopes.

Jan van Eyck Jan van Eyck was the greatest artist of the early Netherlands school. Held high positions in his career, including court painter and diplomat. So outstanding was his skill as an oil painter that its invention is often attributed to him. Exploited the qualities of oil, building up layers of transparent glazes Thus giving him a surface on which to capture objects in the minutest detail and allowing for the preservation of his colors.

Jan van Eyck Nowhere is this better displayed than in this portrait “The Betrothal of the Arnolfini”. The signature on the back wall - 'Jan Van Eyck was here, 1434' - and his reflection in the mirror has led many to believe that he was a witness to their marriage. The carving of Saint Margaret, the patron saint of childbirth, on the bed, and the presence of the dog - a traditional symbol of faithfulness - accentuate the marital theme

Shakespeare The best known Renaissance writer was William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was also an actor and a poet. Between 1590 and 1613 he wrote 37 plays that are still preformed around the world. Though William Shakespeare is recognized as one of literature’s greatest influences, very little is actually known about him

The Printing Revolution In 1456, Johann Gutenberg printed the bible using movable metal type on a machine called a Printing Press. Printed books became cheap and easier to produce that hand copies. Readers gained access to broad range of knowledge (Medicine to Religion) The printing press would greatly contribute to the Protestant Reformation.