Renaissance in northern europe

Annunciation Triptych (Merode Alterpiece)

Annunciation Triptych (Merode Alterpiece)
Robert Campin. 1427-1432. Oil on wood.
Triptych: Three separate, but related, images
Probably commissioned for a wealthy patron
Akward perspective, high ground lne (dutch interior)
Humanized, NO HALOS, domestic
Setting wants to bring viewer into the house.
Small figure (THE HOLY SPIRIT) holding a cross, flies towards mary.
Left: kneeling donors, walled garden, Mary's purity
Center: annunciation (biblical event) takes place in flemish household.
Right (joseph in a carpentry workshop, making a mousetrap. (mouse=devil). City in the background
Mary on the floor= humility
Candlestick= god's presense
Flowers= holy trinity
Towels & water = purity
Fireplace= hell
Mice = devil
Mousetrap = defeats the devil

The Arnolfili Portrait.

The Arnolfili Portrait.
Jan van Eyck. 1434. Oil on wood
Lots of theories:
Wedding or bethroval
Memorial to dead wife
Transfering buisness or finicnail responsibility
The Arnolfini family (wealthy merchant) are showing off their wealth or receiving guests.
Wedding: Candle (wedding night), shoes cast away (holy ground), dog (fidelity)
Religious symbolism: single candle on chandelier (gods presense), prayer beads on wall, mirror scenes have bible scenes.
Fertility/childbirth: dress pulled up, statue of st margaret (patron of childbirth) on bed.
Wealth: oranges on table, carpet on ground, lavish furs and fabrics.
Man near window (life=outisde) wife in the home (domestic)
Jan van eyck painted himself into the painting
Aritst understands perspective and glazes to reate realistic textures

The Isenheim Altarpiece

The Isenheim Altarpiece
Matthias Grunewald. 1512-16. Oil on wood.
Huge! Life sized. LARGE!
Intended to display as public artwork
Placed inside a Monestary hospital that treated people for diseases
Ergotism (a fungal infection), very notorious. Comes from injesting a fungus grown on wheat, causes gangrene and hallucinations
Panels conceal a wooden sculpture of jesus, his 12 apostles, and 3 saints.
First view (top right): Crucifixion, jesus suffering from ergotism. HE UNDERSTANDS THE PEOPLE!
Jesus suffering from ergotism, in ppain. Mary dressed like a nun
Lamb of god, jesus's sacrifice
INSPIRES EMOTION!
Second view (bottom right): Marian symbols, resurrection
Third view: Patients with ergotism symptoms. Saint anthony desert soujourn and temptation
St anthony is the patron st of skin disease, died of ergotism
PRedella: (base, same on both sides): deposition and lementation

Hunters in the Snow

Hunters in the Snow
Pieter Brugel the Elder. 1565. Oil on wood.
Part of a disearies to depict the seasons.
Unblended, sharp colores. Contrast.
Atmospheric perspective.
Most peoples faces hidden, ANOYMITY! Lack of individuality.
One of the first times we see PEASANTS in art!
Unsuccessful hunters, thin/dejectec dogs.
Joys and struggles (games, skating, compared to lack of food)
Hifh hoisin line, strong diagonals make eye wanter