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The Italian Renaissance harkens back to classical antiquity. Here we find the revival of nude, idealized bodies, a shift to humanism. With a flourishing economy, the arts become patron-based rather than church-based. Cultural thinking becomes focused on knowledge, logic, and rationale. Artists also become individuals rather than parts of guilds, each having their own distinct styles but still situated within the framework of Italian Renaissance.
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Northern Renaissance art is defined by a departure from gothic naturalism to humanism. Religious figures no longer existed within the sacred realm, but within the human. With a growing middle class, the Church no longer funded the arts as much as patronage from wealthy families would.
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The giant twelve-paneled Altar piece depicts the most transformative of biblical narratives, including The Annunciation, Adam and Eve, and The Crucifixion. Visualized with immense realism and advanced technique, Jan van Eyck grounds these sacred figures in the earthly realm, distinguishing the allegorical lamb with a halo. Dr. Sally Hickson, "Jan Van Eyck, The Ghent Altarpiece," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed November 24, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/van-eyck-the-ghent-altarpiece/. -
The Arnolfini Portrait is shrouded in mystery in terms of its subject matter; historians speculate on marriage, consummation, or a form of memorial. The subject of Merchant and woman indicates the rise of upper-class artistic sensibilities, undercut with symbols of feminine domesticity. Dr. Lane Eagles, "Jan van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait," in Smarthistory, January 16, 2025, accessed November 24, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/jan-van-eyck-the-arnolfini-portrait/ -
Using a muted color palette and brilliant use of Sfumato, Botecelli depicts who art historians believe to be an upper-class woman. Her profile view and lack of eye contact subject the woman to a voyeuristic quality of engagement where one focuses on her symbolism rather than her identity. "Portraits and fashion: Sandro Botticelli, Portrait of a Young Woman," in Smarthistory, October 9, 2019, accessed December 1, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/botticelli-portrait/. -
Unusually, Boticelli depicts nudity and paganism. The beautiful representation of beauty and desire harkens to Roman Classicism. In Venus's pudica pose, it is made clear that the painting is a celebration of love and beauty. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus," in Smarthistory, December 5, 2015, accessed December 1, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/sandro-botticelli-the-birth-of-venus/. -
At the end of the 15th Century, Albrecht Durer depicts the impending apocalypse through woodcut prints, allowing his art to be viewed by the masses. His hatching technique creates an incredibly dynamic and chaotic image meant to instill fear to the audience. Dr. Sally Hickson, "Albrecht Dürer, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed December 1, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/albrecht-durer-four-horsemen/. -
Utilizing symmetry and perspective, Da Vinci recounts the Biblical Last Supper as an event of order and reflection. Jesus and his apostles are depicted with Biblical Hierarchies, Jesus being in the middle, flanked by John and Judas. Implied lines and use of color create a balanced composition, ultimately leading to Jesus. Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Leonardo, Last Supper," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed November 29, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/leonardo-last-supper/. -
In a bold depiction of himself, Durer conflates his ego by staring in full frontal view, equating himself to a God-like status. The pose, reserved for religious icons indicates the celebration of artists as individuals rather than working class groups. Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Albrecht Dürer, Self-Portrait (1500)," in Smarthistory, December 9, 2015, accessed December 1, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/albrecht-durer-self-portrait-1500/. -
The three-paneled painting depicts Eden, Earth, and Hell. Here, individuals function as a mosaic to tell a larger narrative of chaos and human folly. Human and demon figures engage in sin and eternal damnation in the hell panel, while Eden and earth present hedonistic qualities. Dr. Sally Hickson, "Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Earthly Delights," in Smarthistory, March 18, 2025, accessed November 30, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/bosch-the-garden-of-earthly-delights/. -
In a tender depiction of the Passion of Christ, we see his adoration of the thorn of crowns, while simultaneously being stripped. His calm stare creates a serene atmosphere, exuding of tendert sympathy contrasting brutal context. “Hieronymus Bosch | Christ Mocked (the Crowning with Thorns) | NG4744 | National Gallery, London.” , Accessed November 30, 2025, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/hieronymus-bosch-christ-mocked-the-crowning-with-thorns. -
Located in the Church of Santa Maria, we find the devotional piece that is the Assumption of the Virgin. The painting acts both as devotional and narrative as it depicts the holy mother being accepted into heaven, a reminder of the sacredness that could await catholic patrons. Dr. Letha Ch'ien, "Titian, Assumption of the Virgin," in Smarthistory, October 9, 2024, accessed November 30, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/titian-assumption-of-the-virgin/. -
One of the most famous paintings in the world, Mona Lisa is celebrated for her mystique and realistic technique. Her eyes and smile, draped against the fantastic backdrop of nature, compose an unending engagement with the subject. Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Leonardo, Mona Lisa," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed November 29, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/leonardo-mona-lisa/ -
With the advanced use of chiaroscuro and glazing, Titian redifines the female nude from that of taboo to one of celebratory sensuality. Here, the female is subject to the male gaze, placed in domestic realms, reinforcing social and gender roles. Dr. James R. Jewitt, "Titian, Venus of Urbino," in Smarthistory, August 20, 2020, accessed November 29, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/titian-venus-of-urbino/