Italian and Northern
Renaissance
Early Renaissance
Basic History
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Florence is the birthplace of Renaissance.
Early Renaissance was an era of extreme stress and conflict
The crowning jewel of the Florentine cityscape is the cupola, or dome,
of its cathedral.
This architectural and engineering wonder was designed by Filippo
Brunelleschi.
Filippo Brunelleschi
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Brunelleschi was a goldsmith,
sculptor, mathematician, clock
builder, and architect (his greatest
achievement).
He discovered scientific perspective,
a way of accurately showing 3-D
objects on flat paper.
In Florence, 1418, he won a
competition to design the mammoth
dome over the Cathedral of
Florence.
He concluded that discipline of
thought, clarity of design, the
proportion of one part to another,
and a constant awareness of regular
visual rhythm are essential to fine
architecture.
Lorenzo Ghiberti
sculptor
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Won the competition for the design and
sculpting of the north doors of the baptistery
of Florence at 21 years old.
The two doors took more than 20 years to
complete.
The 28 panels illustrate stones from the New
Testament as well as other figures.
The doors were later called the Gates of
Paradise.
He used pictorial space and one-point
perspective to produce convincing depths on
relief sculpture.
The doors were true Renaissance art and were
cast in bronze, covered with gold.
Donatello
sculptor
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Emerged as the greatest sculptor of his time and
ever to live.
His work was a combination of Classical style and
Renaissance expression.
His figures seemed capable of movement and the
facial expressions provided images of pride and
dignity.
Many of his figures were either marble or bronze.
His figure, David, made of bronze, was first lifesize freestanding nude statue since ancient times.
Masaccio
painter
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Revolutionized the art of painting.
Painted “Tribute Money”
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A fresco in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine.
A New Testament illustration that depicts three events at one time.
Used single source of light and atmospheric perspective to add the sense of
depth.
Sandro Botticelli
painter
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Responsible for the painting “Birth of Venus”, which is an example of a scene
based on traditional mythology.
Baptism, like the birth of the Celestial Venus, signifies the rebirth of humanity
He was a master
of delicate lines.
“The Adoration of
the Magi” reveals
another characteristic
of late 15th century
paintings; the wise
men and others as
portraits of Italian
contemporaries.
High Renaissance
Basic History
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From 1495-1527, powerful and ambitious popes created a new force in Italy, a
papal state, with Rome as its capital.
Rome took lead from Florence and became the art capital of Europe.
Leonardo da Vinci
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He was an artist ahead of his time in
painting, sculpture, architecture and
many other professions.
The Mona Lisa is his most famous
painting.
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Used sfumato and created a hazy feeling
and aerial perspective.
He carried this painting with him until
he died.
Used chiaroscuro (extreme contrast of
dark and light values) in his paintings.
Michelangelo Buonarroti
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His artistic genius influenced the late Renaissance and beyond.
Pieta
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His earliest masterpiece, a sculpture made of marble.
Was not concerned with exact proportions but rather the overall
appearance and visual effect.
Signed this work on a band across Mary’s chest.
David
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Muscular perfection and an
expression that is angry and
defiant.
 Believed that human beauty
is the outward indication of
divine spirit.
 At 21, he is declared the greatest
sculptor in Italy.
Raphael Sanzio
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Raphael’s paintings are known as masterpieces of balance and harmony.
School of Athens
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Shows all the masters of Classical Greek thought, science and art are in animated
conversations.
The setting is dramatic and in harmony with the number and placement of
figures.
Titian
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Artistic giant of Venice, comparable to
Michelangelo.
Believed that color and mood were more
important in painting than line and
scientific accuracy.
After paint was dry, the surface was
painted with about forty glazes,
In later work no outlines, color blended
into color to create form.
Brushstrokes created a textured surface
quality called painterly.
Mannerism
Basic History
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Refers to the period between the end of the High
Renaissance and the beginning of the Baroque period.
Was originally a derogatory term applied to painters
who had a formal, mannered style that imitated various
aspects of Raphael’s and Michelangelo’s works.
Included in the Mannerist style are features such as crisp
and frozen shapes, elongated bodies, distorted forms,
and peculiar perspectives.
El Greco
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Born in Crete
In his artwork there is a strong sense
of movement, form is often
dematerialized.
Painted many religious works.
The Burial of Count Orgaz
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The artists masterpiece
The lower part is 16th century on
earth, the upper is eternal and in
heaven.
Sofonisba Anguissola
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Was the oldest child of a wealthy family in Cremona
Her paintings are charming and informal
Her artwork captures the act of everyday life.
Tintoretto
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Most dramatic painter of the 16th century.
Tintoretto means “little dyer”, which is his fathers occupation.
Most his paintings are religious.
Would make small models to see shadows.
Worked for small salary, most paintings done for charity houses.
Giovanni Bologna
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Most original sculptor
between Michelangelo and
Bernini.
Most artwork up to this time
has been viewed from front,
back and profile, but his work
had no front or back, the
viewer must move constantly
to see the complete work.
Andrea Palladio
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The only northern Italian architect that ranks with Bramante and
Michelangelo.
Several palaces, theatres, and town halls were designed and built by him.
Wrote and illustrated a book on his thoughts and ideals that was used up until
the 18th century.
The Low Countries
Basic History
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The Gothic style of architecture
dominated northern Europe into
the early 16th century.
The painters of low countries
(Belgium and Holland) were first to
master oil paint.
Painters aimed at clear, hard edged
detail and was one of radiant
decorative color rather than
sculptural form.
Artists in low countries
accomplished religious subjects in
scenes of everyday life by using
symbolism.
Jan van Eyck
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His understanding of light
was far greater than that of
his Italian Contemporaries.
He excelled at portraying
direct and diffused light,
shadows falling on a variety
of surfaces, and light’s
effect on the illusion of
distance.
Ghent Alterpiece
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Was begun by Hubert van
Eyck in 1425 and finished
by his brother Jan 7 years
later.
Landscapes, animals,
trees, people, fabrics, light
and air are handled with
detail.
Jan van Eyck
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The Annunciation
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The angel Gabriel
announces the Birth of
Christ to Mary.
The event takes place in
a 15th century Gothic
church.
Arnolfini Wedding
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A work of marvelous
reality and unity.
Detail and realistic light
share importance in this
painting.
Signed his name on the
wall above the mirror
with words meaning
“Jan van Eyck was here
in 1434”
Hieronymus Bosch
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Dutch painter.
Presents weird images and puzzling symbols.
Paintings are packed with tiny people that are
mostly naked.
Garden of Delights
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Most complex work
Three full panels of symbolism
On the left – Garden of Eden, on the right –
Garden of Satan, in the middle – Garden of
Delights
Pieter Bruegel
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He was the most highly acclaimed low country master of the 16th century.
He was said to be the only artist to capture the cold and crispness of winter.
The Return of the Hunters
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Loved to paint peasants in their daily activities.
The depth is felt more strongly because of the birds flying in the intervening
space.
Humans and nature are bound together as a working unit.
Germany
Basic History
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In the early 1500’s, Germany becomes the leader in art in Northern Europe.
German artists absorb the influence of the Italian High Renaissance and
blend it with northern technique and style.
Albrecht Durer
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Leader of the German High Renaissance.
Was the first artist outside of Italy to become internationally acclaimed.
Also first northern artist to very consciously document himself in a series of
self-portraits.
Durer and Printmaking
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First artist to emerge from medieval
anonymity with a distinct personality.
Was the 3rd of 18 children and after he
had completed elementary school, he
was taken on as apprentice to his
goldsmith father.
Was very talented in both woodcut and
copper engraving.
One of the first artists to turn to
woodcut as a major medium.
The market for his works was huge and
he became a wealthy artist.
Matthias Grunewald
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Was the last and most powerful of the expressive Gothic artists.
He painted only a limited number of works but his single greatest masterpiece
is the Isenheim Alterpiece.
Hans Holbein
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One of the finest
portrait painters of all
times.
Born in Germany but
moved to Basel,
Switzerland when he
was about 13 and
stayed there for 11
years.
One of his greatest
achievements is his
double portrait The
French Ambassadors
England, France, and Spain
Basic History
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England
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France
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The Renaissance brought the English language and literature in works by
Shakespeare and others.
The “International Style” originated in Burgundy and continued in painting.
Two important artists were Jean Fouquet and Jean Clovet.
Francis I and the French aristocracy built a group of opulent chateaux in the Loire
River Valley.
Spain
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Very wealthy at this time.
El Escorial
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Constructed for Phillip
II of Hapsburg.
Architect was Juan de
Herrera.
A combination of a
palace and court with a
church.
Made of granite.
Expressed the unified
Catholic spirit.
Eleven Spanish kings lie
beneath the alter.
French Painting
Jean Fouquet
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Most important French artist of
the 15th century.
Painted portraits and religious
scenes and worked on manuscript
illuminations
Influenced by Italian art
His painting Etienne Chevalier and
St. Stephen reflects the Flemish
influence.
French Architecture
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The Chateau of Chambord
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Built in 1519
Has a large central block that
contains numerous apartments.
There’s a rounded tower on each
corner.
Wings on each side contain
simple hallways that terminate in
huge rounded fortress-like
structures with conical roofs.
French Architecture
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The Square Court of the Louvre
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First building of the French Renaissance
Goujon furnished the structure with sculptures and fine reliefs.