Lesson 2 The Renaissance in Northern Europe

Explain how the printing revolution shaped European society. The Renaissance and Reformation (1300–1650) Lesson 2 The Renaissance in Northern Europe Learning Objectives Describe the themes that northern European artists, humanists, and writers explored. Explain how the printing revolution shaped European society.

The Renaissance and Reformation (1300–1650) Lesson 2 The Renaissance in Northern Europe Key Terms Flanders Albrecht Durer Erasmus engraving Sir Thomas More utopian William Shakespeare Johannes Gutenberg

Flanders a region that included parts of present-day northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands; was an important industrial and financial center of northern Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) was born in Nuremberg, Germany. A painter, draftsman, and writer, his greatest artistic impact was in engraving. He traveled to Italy, studied the Italian masters, and helped spread Renaissance ideas to northern Europe. Many of his famous works had religious themes.

Durer self portrait at 13

Durer Self Portrait at 28

engraving art form in which an artist etches a design on a metal plate and then uses the plate to make multiple prints.

Erasmus Erasmus (1466–1536) a Dutch priest, writer, and scholar who promoted humanism. He also called for a translation of the Bible into the vernacular to help spread learning, ideas, and education. He also wanted to reform Church corruption.

Erasmus

Northern Renaissance Humanists and Writers Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch priest and humanist scholar who was active during the Northern European Renaissance. He believed an individual's chief duties were to be open-minded and to show good will toward others.

Sir Thomas More Thomas More (1478–1535) born in London. He became a lawyer, scholar, writer, and member of British parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. He wrote Utopia , describing an ideal society. In 1521, he was knighted.

Sir Thomas More

utopian idealistic or visionary, usually used to describe a perfect society.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616), born in England, became a famous poet and playwright during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Between 1590 and 1613, he wrote 37 plays that are still performed around the world. He invented words and phrases still used today. Like other Renaissance writers, he took a humanist approach to his characters.

Shakespeare

Twelfth Night

The Taming of the Shrew

Hamlet

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Henry IV & V

Othello

Johannes Gutenberg (c.1400–1468) was born in Germany. He became a goldsmith, printer, and publisher. His pioneering invention of a printing press with moveable type changed the world. Around 1455, Gutenberg printed the first complete edition of the Christian Bible using his press.

The Printing Revolution Analyze Charts The chart shows the effects of the printing press in Europe. Is it likely or unlikely that in 1500, only the largest European capital cities had printing presses?

The Printing Revolution Johannes Gutenberg with the first printing press in 1450s Mainz, Germany

Bubonic Plague and the Renaissance In the mid-1300s, the Black Death had reduced the population of Europe by one-third and brought the economy to a standstill. Italy recovered fairly quickly and was soon the center of the Renaissance and its creative upsurge. Only after 1450 did northern Europe enjoy the economic growth that had earlier supported the Renaissance in Italy.

Quiz: Artists of the Northern Renaissance What Renaissance artistic theme appeared in the works of Van Eyck and Bruegel? A. the rise of the merchant class B. peasant life C. poverty in the cities D. religious scenes

Quiz: Northern Renaissance Humanists and Writers What was a goal that the writers Erasmus, More, and Rabelais all had in common? A. telling comical tales B. translating biblical stories C. changing and reforming society D. abandoning old religions

Quiz: The Printing Revolution What was one impact of the printing revolution on European society? A. European readers learned classical languages as books became widely available. B. More people had access to knowledge because books became less expensive. C. Books were published in great numbers but were a luxury that only the wealthy could afford. D. The printing press made books more elegantly designed than in the past.