The Northern Renaissance Chapter 17 section 2

Main Idea: Cultural Interaction – in the 1400s the ideas of the Italian Renaissance began to spread to Northern Europe Why it matters now: Renaissance ideas such as the importance of the individual are a strong part of modern thought.

The Northern Renaissance Begins French and English cities grew after the end of the Hundred Year’s War. Merchants across Northern Europe made more money. As people made more money, they were able to support the arts more.

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.

Artistic Ideas Spread War in Italy brought Renaissance ideas north into France and other parts of Northern Europe.

Characteristics of Northern Renaissance 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.

Side by Side

German Painters Albrect Durer –Most famous German painter –Woodcuts and engravings –Realist Hans Holbein the Younger –Photographic portraits –Painted King Henry VIII

Albrecht Dürer ( )  Self- Portrait at 26, 1498.

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

Dürer The Last Supper woodcut 1510

Hans Holbein, the Younger ( ) 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 Great portraitist noted for: –Objectivity & detachment. –Doesn’t conceal the weaknesses of his subjects.

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

Holbein’s, The Ambassadors, 1533 A Skull

Multiple Perspectives

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.

Van Eyck -Adoration of the Lamb, Ghent Altarpiece, 1432

Van Eyck:  The Crucifixion & The Last Judgment 

Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife (Wedding Portrait) Jan Van Eyck 1434

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

Quentin Massys ( ) The Ugly Dutchess, 

Pieter Bruegel the Elder ( ) Influenced by a circle of Erasmian humanists – people who wanted a reform in the church. 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, Tower of Babel, 1563

Bruegel’s, The Beggars, 1568

Bruegel’s, Parable of the Blind Leading the Blind, 1568

Christian Humanism –Humanists were scholars aware of corruption of society, wanted changes –Reawakened sense of Christian duties, responsibilities –Confidence in power of the intellect to find truth – use reason, not dogma

Northern Renaissance Thinkers Thomas More’s Utopia –Written as satire of society –People in Utopia looked out for others, were totally equal, lived by reason –Saw society as reason for problems of the world, not individual sinners Erasmus and Praise of Folly –Indictment of world, plea for return to simple virtues –Two basic themes – inner nature of Christianity, importance of education –Important forerunner of Protestant Reformation

Family Life Men still married late, women much younger Large families, especially among wealthy Women –Expected to run household expertly –Upper class women’s position declined –Middle class women had greater responsibility, nearly equal role –Wives of artisans, merchants often partners in business –Working class women still in male-dominated society Women’s work –Spinning, weaving, care of livestock –Did same jobs as men

Painting by Nicholas Maes

Education Education of Men –Educated for careers in commerce or crafts –Literacy was common in urban populations Education of Women –Study in home –Focused on literacy, music, domestic arts –Intellectual women had more outlets to express themselves, but not taken seriously

The Elizabethan Age Queen Elizabeth of England ruled from Renaissance woman who encouraged and supported the growth of art and literature. William Shakespeare – famous writer inspired by classics – wrote in the vernacular

Printing press Invented by Johann Gutenberg Made books quickly and cheaply Printed the Bible Books printed in vernacular – local languages