With the ending of the medieval age during the 15th century, many European nations began to experience a new artistic revolution. Often mislabeled as simply the “Renaissance,” this period of renewed interest in arts had unique distinguishing factors for every individual region. The two most popular Renaissance are the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance, including France, England, and Germany etc. Although both were similar in that they emphasized a greater utilization of techniques to create more realistic photos, portrayed religious themes, and were inspired by the Classic era, the Northern and Italian Renaissance had two clear differences. The two movements were primarily different due to the mediums used to create the art and …show more content…
subjects portrayed within the paintings. The first piece of art that exemplifies the Italian Renaissance is the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo.
After gaining fame for great works such as the Pieta and David, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to repaint the Sistine Chapel. Already, a distinguishing factor of the Italian Renaissance presents itself. In the Italian Renaissance “wealthy patrons sponsored the arts,” whereas in the Northern Renaissance “no wealthy patron who wanted grand paintings were sponsoring them, [so] artists focused on daily life and ordinary people” (ArtsColumbia.com). The subject matter is greatly tied in with the patron of the arts, and this fact is reflected by Michelangelo’s masterpiece. The fresco portrays a popular story within the Catholic faith, the creation of man, which is directly linked to the patron of the piece, the pope. Michelangelo did not attempt to relate a personal message or story. The religious subject is very common for the Italian Renaissance as the main financiers of the works were rich people within the …show more content…
Catholic Church. Although the story and concept illustrated by Michelangelo are quite simple, in no way is this a simple painting. Being a fresco, not to mention one that is on the ceiling, this work required laborious techniques in order to create the beautiful sight that it is. This, again, illustrates a key difference between the Northern and Italian Renaissance. Due to the climate differences, both groups had to use different mediums for their art. Being very cold, the North simply could not have frescos that would sustain overtime due to the extreme temperatures. Elements of Renaissance art is certainly present as God’s “long beard...reacts to the forward movement of flight,” emphasizing shape, realism, and movement, all popular aspects of Renaissance art (Italianrenaissance.org). In his oil painting, Peasant Wedding, Pieter Bruegel epitomizes the Northern Renaissance.
As previously noted, Northern Renaissance artists had a greater tendency to draw everyday life events and common people. This painting is precisely that, a portrayal of a common, Netherland wedding. Bruegel is simply attempting to offer a snapshot of life for peasants in a highly accurate manner. The common bagpipes, servants, plain bread, are all perfectly normal for peasantry life. Works such as this would be extremely rare during this time period as nobleman and church members had no interest in such affairs. Despite multiple complex theories, as observed by Google’s Art & Culture page, “it is far more in keeping with Bruegel’s humanistic conception of himself to see the painting as a neutral observation without further intent” (Google Arts & Culture). There is no intended underlying or secret message. The painting utilizes the popular technique of linear perspective that was rediscovered during the Renaissance to generate a feeling of space and depth on a two-dimensional medium. The second difference between the Northern and Italian Renaissance can be found when looking at the medium. According the theworldartist.com, in the Netherlands, “painters were improving upon oil paint, which...allowed for variation in light, texture, tone, and value” in comparison to the previously dominant medium of tempera paint before the Northern Renaissance (theworldartist.com). Although the painting
has clear Renaissance qualities, it is still a definite example of the difference between North and Italian Renaissance. Finally, by analyzing two portraits, one from each Renaissance, one can truly see the difference and similarities of both movements. From the Italian Renaissance, one can refer to the Idealized Portrait of a Lady by Sandro Botticelli, which is a “portrait of Simonetta Vespucci – a young noblewoman who was married at the age of sixteen” (Staedel Museum). For the Northern Renaissance, one can look at the Portrait of a Man in a Red Turban by Jan van Eyck, which “many artists believe to be a self-portrait” (Smarthistory.org). Both works exhibit strong characteristics of a Renaissance painting. In their analysis of the portrait by Botticelli, the Staedel Museum urges the viewers to notice the realism, and how “such subtleties as the eyelashes and slight turn of the upper body towards the viewer: the ideal portrait is alive. It breathes” (Staedel Museum). In the Van Eyck self-portrait, one immediately notices the chiaroscuro, or difference in lighting within a painting. Both techniques of realism and chiaroscuro are Renaissance techniques. However, the distinguishing qualities of the Northern and Italian styles are still present. For Van Eyck, the painting is done using an oil based paint on an oak panel, which was popular for the North, especially in the Netherlands, where he was from. On the other hand, Botticelli of the Italian Renaissance, uses tempera paint on poplar. The oil based paints would actually not become popular with Italian painters until the later parts of the Renaissance. Another difference is noticed with the subjects of each portrait. Botticelli’s subject is a young noblewoman with a near legendary status due to the fact that she “was considered the most beautiful woman in Florence” (Staedel Museum). Meanwhile, Van Eyck drew a (alleged) self-portrait, which was rather uncommon in Italy as they usually had to satisfy wealthy patrons. In the world of art, it is hard to definitively classify one work as better than another, With all of the pieces analyzed within this essay, each are considered masterpieces and generally priceless. However, differences are still present despite the general Renaissance themes present throughout all of them. Michelangelo and Botticelli both worked with mediums that were no longer popular with Northern artists, while Jan Van Eyck and Bruegel both created their works with oil paints, which would soon become dominant throughout the european art world. Due to the massive societal presence of the Catholic Church in Italy, most works were sponsored by church members or elite members of society. This led to an abundance of works that portrayed religious ideas and stories and the activities of the high class of Italy. Although there was no shortage of religious work in the North either, the fact that most patrons were merchants, or many artists didn’t have one, art that represented the common members of society were much more available. Putting aside one’s personal preferences, both movements were powerful and largely significant. The revival of realism and perspective mark a change that would impact art history forever. The different styles would inspire multiple generations to come. The Renaissance today is now recognized as perhaps the single greatest event in all of art history, and without the pioneering works of art masters from the North and South, art would be changed forever.
At this time, the Renaissance brought back the interest in the natural and secular world after many years of Christian church doctrine. Therefore, the Renaissance is a rebirth to represent the material world, portray the human body accurately and use scientific ways to create linear and atmospheric perspective to reproduce the appearance of the natural world. However, the Renaissance not only occurred in Italy, but also in the Low Countries that are located in the north of the Alps such as Belgium and Netherlands, which is where the piece was painted.
The European Renaissance occurring from 1450 to 1650, marked a change that led to many developments in art, religion, literature and the economy. The impact of the Renaissance changed the thinking and life. The society saw a rise in creativity, in ambition and in politics. During the Renaissance (the rebirth) achievement in art especially rose, though depending on where the Renaissance was, it was a different experience all around. Renaissance art in Italy and southern Europe had more of a grecian theme, while northern Renaissance focused more on life and mythology.
While the Flemish were proficient in oil painting, Italian Renaissance artists continued their predecessor’s use of tempera. Furthermore, the paintings were ultimately created for different purposes and separate viewers. Although both works are centered on the defining moment of the annunciation, The Merode Altarpiece incorporates this scene into a secular setting, therefore differing from Fra Angelico’s The Annunciation which was painted for a monastery. Finally, Flemish and Italian Renaissance paintings differ in levels of realism. Although the Flemish painters were skilled in portraying realism of physical forms, they lacked a full understanding of linear perspective. In contrast, the Italian Renaissance artists were well versed in linear perspective but lacked a complete grasp of the natural
The Renaissance started in Italy in the 14th century. It was referred to as the “rebirth” because it brought back attention to art and science. The Middle-Ages was really religion-dominated. The Renaissance turned the attention to being an individual and worldly experiences; they were the main themes of the Renaissance art movement. Art benefited from the patronage of such influential groups as Medici family of Florence, the Sforza family of Milan and the Popes Julius II and Leo X. This movement helped art become more sophisticated. Many ideas from the renaissance art movement spread to different parts of Europe.
The Renaissance is known for the paintings, sculptures and most decorative art from the European period history. It was known as the “rebirth” and mostly is the period in the European civilization mostly following the middle ages. The Renaissance was the period that had discovery and explorations of the new continents that substituted the Copernican for the Ptolemaic system of the astronomy (The Beginning Progress of the Renaissance R. A. Guisepi). The feudal system had declined the growth of the commerce, but mostly the inventions or the applications for the powerful innovations for the paper printing. The art of Classical had transformed its traditions by having the absorptions of the occurring developments in the Northern part of Europe of art by using a contemporary scientific knowledge that helped them with their art. The Renaissance Humanist philosophy had spread throughout the Europe period by affecting the artist and the patrons with the new development of techniques and the sensibilities of the artists. The Renaissance had stressed the ideas of the classical world of art. The causes were so many that were all deeply undercounted and the historians had debated that the relative importance if each is when the Renaissance had began. During the mid 14th century was the actual period that the renaissance had started (Renaissance Art). In Flore...
In this paper I'm focusing mainly on Renaissance art work, since that was the assignment, but I feel it's important to also mention the other important parts of the Renaissance, architecture, science, politics and religion.
The Renaissance was a time of rebirth, as its name entails. In Italy, more people were becoming literate and more books were being printed. More scientific discoveries were being made and therefore more theories were being published. In this time of intellectual prosperity, art also made a great leap. Perspective was the main change during this time period, and throughout the years, starting around 1400, it became more involved and more intricate. Eventually artists were so adept at using it, that it became the primary way to insert intimacy and feelings of emotion into a painting. This evolution of technique paved the way for later artists to play with new approaches to allow the viewer to experience an image in different ways.
The Renaissance is a period in Europe, from the 14th to the 16th century, considered the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history. It started as a cultural movement in Italy in the Late Medieval period and later spread to the rest of Europe, marking the beginning of the Early Modern Age. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the change from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
Italian Renaissance followed soon after the Middle Ages. It was the time of discovery and the revival of a new age—known as The Golden Age. The Renaissance witnessed the great discovery, exploration and inventions. This era was introduced by the birth of the philosophy of humanism, which highlighted the significance of individual accomplishment in a broad range of fields. However, it also had a dark side full of corruption, greed and scandal.
Throughout history many art movements have emerged that artists and styles are classified under. One large contributing movement over the time period from about 1450 to about 1600 was known as the Italian Renaissance. However, what a large portion of people do not realize is that the Italian Renaissance was actually two main movements during that period of time. Each movement had key artists and a variation in style from the other movements. These two movements in the Italian Renaissance have been named the Early and High Renaissance.
The shift between the Middle Ages and Renaissance was documented in art for future generations. It is because of the changes in art during this time that art historians today understand the historical placement and the socio-economic, political, and religious changes of the time. Art is a visual interpretation of one’s beliefs and way of life; it is through the art from these periods that we today understand exactly what was taking place and why it was happening. These shifts did not happen overnight, but instead changed gradually though years and years of art, and it is through them that we have record of some of the most important changes of historic times.
Thinking about the significant differences found between the Northern Renaissance and the Southern Renaissance helps us understand why there was a difference in the depicted scene. When it comes to Northern Renaissance, it is known that they kept to the Middle Ages art style. As we saw, when it came to Giotto, the fact that he was already venturing off and trying new techniques shows us that Italy was where Early Renaissance took place. That explains why Massys’ version was more old styled compared to Giotto’s. One main point to remember is that the reason why Giotto was able to venture off and try something new was because he was hired to paint a private chapel and only had to please one man. Usually when it came to both North and South
Artists in the Renaissance aided the continuation of Renaissance ideals. Renaissance art, including paintings, sculptures, and architecture,...
The Italian Renaissance included some of the greatest artists we have ever seen from Leonard Da Vinci, to Michelangelo, and Raphael. The Renaissance took place from the late thirteenth to sixteenth centuries and is know as the ‘rebirth’. The idea that the rebirth of the arts after being asleep for a thousand years is an amazing thing to grasp. This time brought back light to liberal arts, which were on the brink of being extinct. (Murray 2) What is also interesting about art during this time was that most of the art had Christian in its roots, for example, Botticelli’s The Allegory of Spring (Faure 1) is said to have had a Christian interpretation. (Murray) “Every Italian artist, willingly took the title of architect, sculptor, and painter” (Faure 2). At the beginning of the fifteenth century, the Italian painters had asked the Flemish painters for their secret techniques because the Italians felt like the language of painting was one that was always meant for them. (Faure 4) The sculptors claimed their inspiration from ancient works. Lastly the Renaissance introduced idea of individualism, which helped the Italians get away from everything that was going on during that time. Art during the Renaissance included painting, sculpting and architecture, all of which were an important part in expressing the idea of individualism and making art what is is today.
Like most art commissioned by the Catholic Church, the Sistine Chapel was intended to elevate the standing of the church and to inspire church goers in their faith. However, the creation of the Sistine Chapel frescos is not as simplistic as those who commissioned Michelangelo to paint them intended, particularly The Last Judgment fresco. Through art history researchers have discovered that the frescos Michelangelo painted were layered with hidden messages. By looking at Michelangelo’s life and religious teaching of his day, and his personal belief we can determine what the true meaning behind his work was.