Art History 6 Northern Renaissance

Gutenberg Bibles

The Gutenberg Bibles were printed between 1445 and 1455 using movable type made from lead. This new printing press allowed letters to be rearranged and reused, creating identical copies. The Bibles included illuminated illustrations and were printed with ink on paper. This helped spread knowledge, increased literacy outside the Church, and made books more accessible. It marked a major shift from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, supporting humanism and leading to the Reformation.

Grisaille

Grisaille is a painting technique that uses only shades of grey and neutral tones. It was used during the Renaissance and earlier, often as early as the 14th century. Artists used it as a draft for a full-color painting or as a finished work. Sometimes it was used to make a painting look like a sculpture. This technique showed skill in shading and creating depth without using color.

Jan Van Eyck - Arnolfini portrait

Jan Van Eyck painted The Arnolfini Portrait in 1434. It shows a wealthy merchant couple, possibly during a wedding or signing a marriage contract. The painting is a masterpiece of the Northern Renaissance, known for its detail and realism. Van Eyck used oil glazing techniques and complex symbolism, like the single candle for sacredness and the dog for faithfulness. The mirror shows tiny religious scenes and even reflects the artist, with his signature saying, “Jan van Eyck was here.” Items like oranges, fine clothing, and a fancy chandelier show the couple’s wealth. The painting uses perspective and trompe l’oeil to create a strong illusion of depth and three-dimensionality.

Albrect Dürer - Self-portraits

Albrecht Dürer made several self-portraits between the 1490s and 1515. He showed himself at different stages of life, including a famous full-frontal portrait that looks like Jesus. This was unusual and seen by some as prideful or even blasphemous. Dürer focused on humanism, science, anatomy, and philosophy, and is called the "Da Vinci of the Northern Renaissance." His detailed use of chiaroscuro, and focus on his eyes and hands, showed deep self-study and artistic skill.

Dürer  - Saint Jerome in His Study

Albrecht Dürer created Saint Jerome in His Study in 1514 using copperplate engraving. This method allowed for finer detail and lines than woodcuts. The scene shows St. Jerome in a peaceful, detailed study with light streaming through windows and a faint halo above his head. A skull on the windowsill serves as a memento mori, a reminder of death. A lion and a dog are also present as symbols of loyalty and the saint’s legend of removing a thorn from a lion’s paw. The engraving uses linear perspective and shows Dürer’s interest in science, Italian art, and deep symbolism.

Bosch - Garden of Earthly Delights

Hieronymus Bosch painted The Garden of Earthly Delights between 1490 and 1510. This surreal triptych, created on wood panels, portrays a religious story with a strong focus on sin. The left panel shows a peaceful Garden of Eden, while the right panel depicts a chaotic, horrific hell with grotesque creatures and bizarre imagery. The center panel represents the chaos and lust of human existence, filled with strange and fantastical scenes. The outside panels are painted in grisaille, a monochrome technique, setting a stark contrast with the vibrant colors inside. This painting reflects Bosch’s view of the complexities of life and serves as religious propaganda, emphasizing the dangers of sin and the consequences of indulgence.

Breugel (the Elder) - Hunters in the Snow - Winter

Pieter Bruegel the Elder painted Hunters in the Snow in 1565 using oil on wood. This genre painting shows everyday life and is part of a series studying the labors of the months. The hunters are returning from their hunt, with dogs, but their lack of a successful catch adds a sense of melancholy. The painting captures the stresses of winter, with footprints in the snow and tired expressions. In the background, people play on icy ponds, adding a touch of lightness. The snowy Alpine mountains give the landscape depth, while the scene connects to Italian influences through its detailed portrayal of daily activities.

Breugel (the Elder) - Tower of Babel

Pieter Bruegel the Elder painted The Tower of Babel in 1563 using oil on wood. The painting tells the biblical story of a tower being built so high it would reach the heavens. As punishment for humanity’s pride, God creates different languages, causing people to stop understanding each other. The painting reflects the Renaissance’s concerns with the dangers of human success, power, and wealth in the face of God's authority. A king appears in the lower left, ordering the construction, while workers are shown carving stone and bowing. The tower is incomplete, leaning, and falling apart, and its architecture is loosely inspired by the Colosseum.