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From the north we see a rise in urban prosperity and wealth. This creates a new class funding and commissioning art and in turn changing the themes and functions. Social, religious and political changes are prominent. The reformation takes center stage and influences the arts. Realism, humanism and intellectual property influenced by scientific and empirical detail become central facets of Northern Renaissance art. The printing press opens new avenues for print making and access to texts.
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Through the Italian Ren. we see the Artist develop as a profession and intellectual. High degree of Greek humanism that becomes prevalent in the art of the period and unlike the North, there is reference to classical antiquity. There is great innovation in both the arts and sciences that play a role in the artist as an intellectual. Republican ideals call for the responsibility to perform civic duties and religious shifts ground it on earth centered on the humanities.
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Highly mathematical and rational in form (arch height is equal to width). Brunelleschi employed the ideas of renaissance humanism into the architecture. Civic responsibility to humanism represented through harmony, balance and order. Functioning as an orphanage, the architectural clarity represents moral clarity with the facade depicting the civic responsibility of everyone's role in the orphanage. -
The Merode Altarpiece is chalked full of Northern Ren symbolism. Individualism is depicted in this piece through the inclusion of Peter Ingelbrecht his wife and the addition of the family crests in the windows of the center panel. These inclusions were common additions of elite art, that place the family within the piece. The Virgin reading a book of hours was a sign of her personal piety, intrinsic to religious practices of the period. There is foreshadowing to the imminent crucifixion. -
"This extraordinary panel exemplifies Renaissance ideals of urban planning, respect for Greco-Roman antiquity, and the mastery of central perspective." (Walter's Art Museum) This piece takes a mathematical approach to perspective developed during the period. Perfectly balanced and ordered in reference to classicizing language. The 4 columns are topped by the 4 cardinal virtues, representing the moral and civic themes of the period. "A window onto another, better world."(---) -
In this piece Bosch presents a moralizing depiction of earth and the risks of giving in to earthly delights or sins. The outer panel uses the technique Grisaille to create a muted effect that contrasts the vibrant inner panels. This piece presents the moral didacticism that was prevalent of the Northern Renaissance, in particular moral teachings and reminders on the fragility of life on earth. Further Northern characteristics are the symbolism, linear perspective and intellectual thought. -
Following a period of realism and hyper-realism in the renaissance, there was an issue with spiritual iconography becoming one with earthly imagery. In the high renaissance there is a move to create variations in these representations. The Last Supper depicts a move back to creating a spiritual realm. The table separates the viewer from the scene and Christ's triangular form places him in a mathematically balanced spiritual sphere. The balance and order of this piece is rooted in classical form. -
This piece is fascinating for many reasons, but most interesting is the placement of the piece in a hospital overrun with ergotism also known as St. Anthony's fire. Christ is depicted on the cross with pox all over his body, a symptom of ergotism, showing that Christ shared and understood their suffering. Other characteristics of Low Country art is the jewel tone color palette, hyper detailed naturalism and great emotional provocation, representative of humanism in the period.