Northern Renaissance

Less of a break from the medieval world Fusion between old and new Renaissance culture spread quickly with the new printing press and along trade routes

The printing press… Developed by Johannes Gutenberg 1456 – he produced a printed edition of the Bible Books printed before 1501 are referred to as incanabula (cradle works)

Northern Humanism Used the same tactics of textual analysis and criticism as the Italians Their emphasis tended to be on Christian readings Northern Humanism is referred to as Christian humanism

Christian Humanists… Critical of the Catholic Church’s abuses Wished to maintain the unity of Christianity Urged reform that would rescue the church

Northern Spirituality Obsessed with securing eternal life Negative effect – indulgences, relic veneration, pilgrimages Positive effect – desired a meaningful experience with God Mysticism – bridge gap between oneself and God by meditation, prayer, and acts of devotion

Renaissance in the Low Countries Humanism Johann Reuchlin – visited Italy and upon his return to Germany, urged that university curricula be expanded Brethren of the Common Life – founded by Gerard Groote

Literature Thomas a Kempis – wrote the Imitation of Christ Erasmus – wrote In Praise of Folly, which ridiculed many attitudes of his time – also published an edition of the New Testament in Greek

Erasmian humanism – belief that the Christian religion offered humanity sound guidelines for its moral conduct – religion and learning were bound together

Art Van Eycks – Jan and Hubert – developed the use of oil paints Bosch – created many fantasy worlds Pieter Brueghel – pained religious subjects and landscapes Matthias Grunewald – religions works Holbein the Younger - portraits

Renaissance in France Humanism King Francis I established the College de France in Paris Literature Rabelais wrote satirical fantasies Montaigne won fame as an essayist

Art Chateaux were built

Renaissance in England Humanism During the 15th century, humanism began to take hold in England By the early 16th c. the study of Greek and Latin had been added to the curriculum at Oxford and Cambridge

John Colet organized a new school at St John Colet organized a new school at St. Paul’s, which emphasized Greek and Latin Thomas More – wrote Utopia which describes an imaginary island where there is an ideal cooperative society

Literature Chaucer – first important figure during the English Renaissance Elizabethan Literature – Edmund Spenser Christopher Marlowe Shakespeare Jonson

Renaissance in Spain Humanism Cardinal Francisco Ximenes de Cisneros – urged improvement in the education of the clergy – established the University of Alcala

Literature Cervantes – wrote Don Quixote Lope de Vega – became known as a dramatist

Art and Architecture Domenicos Theotocopoulis – El Greco – paintings reflected mysticism The Escorial – Palace of Philip II