Renaissance in northern Europe definitions

altarpiece

a painted or sculpted set on an altar of a church

annunciation

in christianity, an episode in the book of Luke in which Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the Virgin Mother of Jesus

donor

a patron of a work of art, who is often seen in that work

engravings

a printmaking process in which a tool called a burin is used to carve into metal plate, causing impressions to be made in the surface. Ink is passed into the crevices of the plate and paper is applied. The result is a print with remarkable details and finely shaded contours

etching

a printmaking process in which a metal plate is covered with a ground made of wax. the artist uses a tool to cut into the wax to expose the pate. the plate is then submerged in an acid bath, which eats away at the exposed portions of the plate. The plate is removed from the acid and cleaned, and ink is filled into the crevices caused by the acid. Paper is applied and an impression is made.

oil paint

a paint in which pigments are suspended in an oil-based medium. Oil dries slowly allowing for corrections or additions; oil also allows for a great range of luster and minute details

predella

the base of an altarpiece that is filled with small paintings, often narrative scenes

reformation

a division in western Christianity in which reformers broke away from the catholic church and formed a series of protestant movements. It is considered to have started with the publication of the Ninety-five theses by Martin Luther in 1517

triptych

a three paneled painting or sculpture

woodcut

a printmaking process by which a wooden tablet is carved into with a tool, leaving the design raised and the background cut away. Ink is rolled onto the raised portions, and an impression is made when paper is applied to the surface. Woodcuts have strong angular surfaces with sharply delineated lines