The Northern Renaissance By: Abhishek Bose

Periodization The actual beginning of the northern renaissance artistic movement is argued by historians but is known to be after the Italian renaissance and around the late 15 th Century (supposedly 1497) The northern renaissance ended at around the same time the Italian ended, so late 17 th century- early 18 th century. The area of origination is also disputed by historians but is thought to be in and around Germany. The northern renaissance spread quickly throughout all areas north of the Alps, spread from Germany to France, England, Low Countries, and Poland. Low Countries- meaning modern day Belgium, Netherlands, and French Flanders.

Historical Context A huge social/cultural event that occurred in around 1450 in Germany was the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. This allowed the publishing of literature, scripture, and manuscripts in a mechanical way for the first time. Another social/cultural event that took place was the migration of Albrecht Dürer. Dürer left Germany for Italy in 1494 and was inspired by a plethora of Italian artists, architects, and idealists, he took these ideas back home to Nuremburg and sparked the renaissance. A political/social event that took place was the protestant reformation. The reformation in northern Europe re-emphasized the importance of God and religion in life. Also the translation of the Bible into common languages such as German and French attributed to the movement.

Historical Context (Cont.) An economic/cultural event that took place in northern Europe was the innovation of mechanically producible media such as woodcuts and engravings. Another economic/cultural trend that took place was the formation of a merchant class that purchased works of oil on wood panel.

Goal of Movement The goal of the Northern Renaissance art movement was to express the idea Erasmus decreed in his “Education of a Christian Prince” - Christian Humanism Because of their immediate surroundings the northern European countries put an emphasis on illuminated manuscripts and wooden panel paintings. Northern artists and painters put great emphasis on the emotional intensity of religious feelings and created great works of devotional art. Was also inspired by nature Painted as they saw it

Key Characteristics Since the Northern Renaissance was mostly based off religious views it showed rarely, if any depictions celebrating the individual or human body like the Italian Renaissance. The Northern Renaissance differed from the Renaissance in Italy because as the ruins of Rome and Greece were visible to the Italian eye, they saw the structures and buildings that once were, the Northern countries did not see that in their area. Large wall spaces in Italian Churches gave rise to art of fresco painting but in the north, the prevalence of Gothic cathedrals with stained glass windows resulted in illuminated manuscripts and wooden panel painting for altarpieces. Space was limited and great care was required to depict each object, which led northern artists and painters to become masters at rendering detail.

Key Characteristics (Cont.) Northern painters started using oil based paints for the first time, a medium that enabled the artist to use a varied range of colors and create fine details. Northern artists, in their efforts to imitate nature did so by empirical observation of visual reality and accurate portrayal of details while Italian artists more often than not, relied on laws of perspective and proportion. NorthernItalian

Works Of Art Jan Van Eyck ( ), early Dutch painter who was among the first to use oil paint. The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434

Works of Art Albrecht Dürer ( ), German painter arguably one of the most important individuals in terms of sparking the northern renaissance. Adam and Eve, 1507

Works of Art Lucas Cranach the Elder ( ), German painter, was good friends with Martin Luther and was court painter to German princes and leaders of Protestant reformation. Christ blessing the Children, mid 1540’s

Works of Art Albrecht Altdorfer ( ) German painter who specialized in landscape backgrounds and expressive biblical studies. Landscape with double spruce, 1526

Works of Art Robert Campin or Master of Flémalle ( ) great master of flemish and new netherlandish painting. The Mérode Altarpiece, 1429

Works Cited reformation/northern-renaissance1/beginners-guide- northern-renaissance/a/an-introduction-to-the-northern- renaissance-in-the-fifteenth-century renaissance.html “Western Civilization” by Jackson J. Spielvogel