The Northern Renaissance

The spread of the Italian Renaissance to England, France,

Germany, and Flanders

Northern Renaissance Background• The Renaissance began in Italy in the

1300s

• It did not reach Northern Europe until after 1450

• Economic growth began later which delayed the support of the arts

Albrecht Durer (German)• Known as the “German

Leonardo”• He traveled to Italy in 1494• After returning to

Germany, he produced woodcuts and engravings

• Many of his prints portray religious subjects and classical myths

• The popularity of his works helped to spread Renaissance styles

DURER – woodcuts

• Hercules • Samson Killing the Lion

Jan van Eyck (Flemish)

• Van Eyck used oil-based paints to develop new techniques.– By applying layer upon layer of paint, van

Eyck was able to create a variety of subtle colors in clothing and jewels

• His paintings display realistic details and reveal the personality of their subjects

Pieter Bruegel (Flemish)

• Interested in realistic details and individual people

• He was very skillful in portraying large numbers of people

• He captured scenes from everyday peasant life such as weddings, dances, and harvest

Bruegel

Changes from the Italian Renaissance

1. Humanism in the north led to calls for social and religious reform (More & Erasmus)

2. N. Renaissance artists reflected a more down-to-earth view of humanity

• Tried to depict people as they really were• Use of oil paints produced bright colors and

a hard surface, which lasted longer

Elizabethan Age

• The Renaissance spread to England in the mid-1500s

• Named for Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)– She was well educated and spoke French, Italian,

Latin, and Greek– She supported the development of English art and

literature

• The theatre flourished and William Shakespeare and many others composed plays that broke free of past styles.