The Northern Renaissance Similarities Same religion until 1517

The Northern Renaissance

Similarities • Same religion, until 1517 (Catholicism) Same economic system (guilds) An artistic center • • – – In Italy, Florence In North, Burgundy (in Belgium) Similarities / Diff. of North, Differences Italian R. • • North had one small, rich duchy, Burgundy A few large, centralized states = less innovation, merchant power North had fewer artists spread over larger area North had less focus on Greek, Roman revival; instead, focus was on religious reform

The Printing Press • • Chinese invention that was independently developed in Europe Invented around 1444 – – – • Guild secret Gutenberg used indiv. reusable letters New ink to stick to metal 1455: First book off printing press = Bible

Impact of Printing Press • • By 1500 = 20 million books printed By 1600 = 140 -200 million books printed Cheap books + large supply = more literacy Education became accessible to regular people (esp. universities) Scientific Revolution accelerated b/c scientists learned from each other Printing press allowed Protestant Reformation b/c ideas spread quickly

Flanders / Belgium • Center of Northern Renaissance were the Dukes of Burgundy – – – • Rich, from wool and banking Patrons of the arts Artists flocked to Bruges, Brussels Duchy eventually conquered, divided between France, HRE

France • Charles VII (1403 -1461) brought Ren. ideas from Italy – started French Ren. Erasmus (1466 -1536) • – – Dutch humanist & Catholic reformer (Disagreed w/ Luther) “Philosophy of Christ”: church departing from selfless love, piety Translated Bible from Greek In Praise of Folly – satire of Church

England • • “Elizabethan Age” = Ren. England Elizabeth I (1558 -1603) – – • • • The “Virgin Queen” Great patron of the arts Francis Bacon: scientific method Ben Jonson: Poet, actor, playwright Christopher Marlowe: poet, actor – spy?

William Shakespeare • • • Considered greatest writer of English language Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets Popular during life: called the “Bard of Avon”

• Northern Renaissance Painters Characteristics – – • Less @ anatomy, perspective More @ mastery of technique, detail of subject Great Artists of Period – – Hubert van Eyck (1385 -1426) Jan van Eyck (1390 -1441) Albrecht Durer (1471 -1528) Hans Holbein (1497 -1543) Hubert van Eyck – 3 Marys at the Tomb

Northern Renaissance Painters Hubert & Jan van Eyck, Altarpiece of Ghent Albrecht Durer – Adoration of the Magi

Northern Renaissance Painters Durer, Mary with the Squatting Child Hans Holbein, The Artist’s Family

Northern Renaissance Painters Holbein, Portrait of Henry VIII Holbein, Jane Seymour

Northern European Architecture • Medieval architectural style = Gothic – • Many cathedrals, abbeys, etc. built in style During late 15 th and into 16 th centuries, architecture evolved into fusion of Italian Ren. and local preferences Gothic Cathedral, Reims France

Examples of French Renaissance Architecture Chateau de Chambord (combo Gothic / Ren) Château de Chenonceau, Loire

Examples of English Renaissance Architecture Burghley House, 1587 Hardwick Hall, 1597

Other Examples of Renaissance Architecture Esztergom Basilica – Hungary The Escorial - Spain