Priyanka Ramesh
Vishu Pasham
Ian Manley
Unit 1 essay #6 outline:
6. Explain the differences between the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance using
specific individuals, works, or developments.
The Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance—although originated in the same
continent—diverge in their respective philosophies. While the Northern Renaissance tended to
be more religious, the Italian Renaissance was generally more secular and was more reminiscent
of the Classical times.
Due to the difference in their philosophies, their art forms diverged.
North:
 Painted everyday/commonplace life, such as tables, peasants and domestic interiors. (ex:
Robert Campin, The Merode Altarpiece, 1426, which depicts a man building mouse
traps) (Peasant Dance- by Pieter Brueghel)
 Self-portarits, thus more naturalistic
 Painted religious scenes (ex: Bosch’s The Last Judgment, which depicts Christ above
others) since the Black Plague instilled a wave of piety.
 Art tended to delineate dark images, such as death and disease—clearly reminiscent of
the Black Plague that had a more acute effect in the North. ( Bosch’s previous mentioned
above actually
 Artists, such as Michelangelo, payed attention to detail. They depicted everyday life
vividly, giving attention to minute and meager objects. ( the mirror in Jan van Eyck,
Arnolfini Wedding)
Italian:
 Painted more Classical and mythological images, rather than religious depictions. (the
Birth of Venus)
 Painted scenes that are more extravagant. Their depictions were representative of the
raised living standards in Italy.
 Rather than detail, focused more on the sense of mass and volume of the painting.
 The last judgement—of Micheanglo:
o Depicts Christ and scene is generally brighter and depicted in a positive light.
o Creation of Adam
Humanism: although both were idealistic and believed in the dignity and value of man, both
diverged drastically.
North:
 Northern humanists were few, and were often isolated
 Wove in Christianity into the humanist philosophy.
 Very interested in reforming educational institutions of their region—such as
universities and grammar schools—and in an effort to encourage classical themes.
 Reform the church—saw flaws
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Few patrons to support
Concerned with corruption of the Church.
Renewal of the old Medieval Christian models.
Erasmus: wittingly attacked the Church—subtly disparaging the Pope.
o all of his works were on the Church’s Index of Forbidden Books.
Italian:
 Due to stronger literacy in northern Italy, as well as a larger and wealthier bourgeoisie,
Italian humanists were far more widespread and common than their counterparts across
the Alps in the north
 Italian humanism was largely secular with a focus on humanity
that tended to exclude the larger religious realities of the era
 Well-organized and long lived groups
 Wealthy and lots of patrons in Florence.
 Focused on the Greek/ Roman ideal man
 Francisco Petrarch- father of humanism. Focused on using the full potential of humans.
o Strongly adhered to the Church’s beliefs.
o Wasn’t considered a heretic. The Church liked him.
Individuals:
North: Erasmus
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A Dutch Renaissance humanist and a Catholic priest and theologian
Lived through the Reformation period and he consistently criticized some contemporary
popular Christian beliefs
In relation to clerical abuses in the Church, Erasmus remained committed to reforming
the Church from within
He also held to Catholic doctrines, such as that of free will, which some Protestant
Reformers rejected in favor of the doctrine of predestination
His middle road approach disappointed and even angered many Protestants, such as
Martin Luther, as well as conservative Catholics
He felt called upon to use his learning in a purification of the doctrine by returning to the
historic documents and original languages of the sacred Scripture
His revolt against certain forms of Christian monasticism and scholasticism was not
based on doubts about the truth of the doctrine, nor from the hostility to the
organization of the Church itself, nor from rejection of celibacy or monastical lifestyles
He saw himself as a preacher of righteousness by an appeal to reason, applied frankly and
without fear.
Italian: Petrarch
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Francesco Petrarch; one of the fathers of the renaissance
Influential in reviving the ideas and ideals from the Greek and Roman times; was
inspired by their way of life
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He was the first to offer a combination of abstract entities of classical culture and
Christian philosophy
Points out that secular achievements didn't necessarily preclude an authentic
relationship with God
Petrarch argued that God had given humans their vast intellectual and creative
potential to be used to their fullest
He believed in the immense moral and practical value of the study of ancient
history and literature; the study of human thought and action
Petrarch struggled with the proper relation between the active and contemplative
life, and tended to emphasize the importance of solitude and study