The Northern countries of the 15th-16th centuries ----Rebirth or Reform?? Styles and innovations develop differently than the Italian Renaissance Rise of the merchant class in Lowlands Oil paint is developed and used in the north by 1425, the same time that perspective is defined in Italy Paintings become portable North does not have classical antiquity as inspiration More of an extension of Gothic art and teutonic values Interest in symbolism, meticulous craft, as well as in observing nature Women painters have higher status 1517---Protestant Reformation changes patrons --Martin Luther reacts against the excesses of the church --Lay movement-people should interpret Bible for themselves --John Calvin (very strict; no ornamentation) Renaissance developed later in the North Did not have the influence of ancient antiquity More of an outgrowth of the Middle Ages Were interested in symbolism Also in observation of nature. Women painters freer to join guilds and pursue art full time Caterina van Hemessen Portrait of a Merchant c. 1530, oil on panel Jan Gossaert

Today’s Netherlands and No Today’s Netherlands and No. France = 15th and 16th century Lowlands = Flanders, Belgium, Burgundy Sea port-important for trade Flanders/Flemish= Belgium and No. France Holland=the Netherlands Burgundy=No. France Charles V (R. Catholic) ruled Spain, Flanders, Germany, and Austria; tried to squash Protestant Reformation Northern artists traveled to other countries looking for commissions Northern Europe, because it had ports on the sea, became important Especially Flanders People called Flemish Charles V ruler of Spain, Flanders, Germany and Austria England under control of Henry VII and then Henry VIII Northern artists traveled to different courts looking for commissions. Often worked in other countries

Robert Campin (c. 1375-1444) Merode Altarpiece, c Robert Campin (c. 1375-1444) Merode Altarpiece, c. 1425-1428 triptych, tempera on wood, Annunciation Robert Campin Merode Altarpiece, c. 1425-1428 Subject is annunciation Right shows Joseph in carpenter’s shop Middle class home as setting No haloes Full of religious symbolism from medieval times Lily references Mary’s virginity Roses also symbol of Mary Reading passage about virgin bearing a son Water jug and towel refer to baptism

Hubert and Jan van Eyck Ghent Altarpiece, 1432 Polyptych Intricate, jewel-like Oil on wood— One of the first attempts using oil to create a successful surface Adam and Eve clothed in the 1800s Cain killing Abel— grisaille= painting in grey as though stone Lamb of God represents Jesus who takes away the sins of the world Hubert and Jan van Eyck Ghent Altarpiece, 1432 Oil on wood 11’6” x 15’ 1” commissions for Philip the Good of France altarpiece commissioned by Joos Vigd, a minor noble who made money thorugh wool trade Hubert sculpted the frame while Jan painted the panels Frame destroyed in the late 16th century during religious strife. Panels hidden for safekeeping Polyptych—many panels Amazing color and use of oil Symbolism—triple tiara worn by the pope, three part nature of God, crown at feet signifies king of kings, lilies, roses, Adam and Even represent redeemed humanity, dove as Holy Spirit, Lamb on altar is sacrifice of Jesus

van Eyck’s Mary and Jesus the triumph of Realism and hidden symbolism

Jan van Eyck The Arnolfini Marriage, 1434 oil on wood Record of marriage Arnolfini was from Italy Worked for the Medici in Bruges Symbolism of the everyday as well as the wealthy— shoes = domesticity dog = fidelity single candle lit=God’s presence (perhaps) oranges=fertility, health, wealth In mirror=two witnesses for a marriage “vanEyck was here” The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami, 1434 Also called The Arnolfini Marriage Arnolfini and his bride were both from Lucca in Italy He worked in Bruges for the Medici Record of their marriage vows Marriage, before it became one f the seven sacraments during the Council of Trent, could be performed in private by joining hands and pledging faith. Artist is a witness. Signature is on the wall. Very realistic and textured Symbolism—dog stands for fidelity, apples refer to Adam and Eve and the original sin, ten scenes on the mirror are Christ’s Passion, death and human salvation. Whisk broom represents domesticity, statuette above the chair is Margaret, patron saint of childbearing women, Giovanna’s hand is over her womb, single lighted candle represents Flemish marriage custom as well as the all-seeing eye of God.

Hieronymus Bosch Garden of Earthly Delights, 1505-10 oil on wood, 7’2”x 6’5” along with Creation of Eve (left) and Hell (right) Could a science fiction illustrator do any better? (“Lovers” from center panel)

Music is evil…what else will send you to Hell?

the antichrist is coming, in the 16th century mind…. reveals the subconscious drive of human behavior Bosch self-portrait

Albrecht Durer, Germany Self Portrait Oil on wood, 1498 “I made this according to my appearance when I was 26.” The Great Piece of Turf 1503, watercolor and tempera on paper ---Not even the smallest clump of sod is excluded from God’s gaze.

Durer – one of the greatest masters of graphic art Adam and Eve (1504, engraving) and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1497, woodcut) War, famine, death and conquering will do us in….

Durer’s Melancholia I Engraving, 1514 Can you find: an hourglass Perhaps part of a series on man’s “humours”: sanguine (blood); melancholic (bile); phlegmatic (phlegm); choleric (yellow bile)—describes temperaments of humans Can you find: an hourglass a magic square an unbalanced scale a faint human skull in a rhombus shape a bat a comet a depressed sheep an empty ladder Engraved printing = carving an image on a metal plate with a burin, then inking and pressing the plate onto paper

Protestant Reformation---1517 Martin Luther nails protest on the church door in Wittenberg (present day Germany) Objects to the Pope and Catholic Church selling indulgences Feels that man has “free will” to do right or wrong The new invention of the printing press helps to strengthen the protest by distribution of pamphlets to the masses England pulls away from the Catholic Church---1534 Henry VIII needs divorces from his 6 wives Wants full control over subjects Objects to papal power Establishes the Anglican Church of England

Pieter Bruegel (“Peasant Bruegel”) the Elder The Peasants’ Wedding 1568, oil on wood Where is the bride? the groom?

Pieter Bruegel the Elder Hunters in the Snow, oil on panel,1565

The Ambassadors Hans Holbein (German) oil and tempera on wood, 1533 Painted for the elegant court of Henry VIII, England French diplomats carrying a message to the king of England Spiritual and worldly mix Hymnal is open to a song by Martin Luther Lute has a broken string Glorifies the age of exploration Memento mori---”you, too, shall die”