Renaissance Painting in Northern Europe Chapter 17

International Style  Paintings show concern for accurate and precise details  Symbolism more important  single burning candle = the presence of God  dog = symbol of loyalty

Development of New Paint Techniques  Previously, used tempera  Tempera: dry pigments mixed with a binder, usually egg yolk  Tempera applied to surface prepared with smooth coat of gesso.

Paint Techniques (cont.)  Gesso: mixture of glue and a white pigment such as plaster, chalk, or white clay  Produced a hard, brilliant surface

Oil Paints developed in Flanders  Oil paint: mixture of dry pigments with oils, turpentine, and sometimes varnish  Allowed artists to create various surface textures:  Transparent smooth glaze  Thick richly textured surface  Line, form, & color controlled to create subtle, varied, 3-D works

Oil Paints (cont.)  More brilliant colors  Allowed blending of color areas  Aerial perspective refined: hazy appearance of objects farthest from viewer.  Help achieve realistic light and shadow = consistent shadow = realistic picture

Oil Paints (cont.)  Remained wet and could work on it for extended length of time  Able to include more details & make corrections

Robert Campin  “The Master of Flémalle”  Style characterized by naturalistic and sculptural conceptions  Replaced the decorative International Style of the late Middle Ages.

Robert Campin  Known for:  Attention to detail  Use of familiar contemporary settings

Merode Altarpiece  Three panels from left to right  Donors kneel in garden  Annunciation: Mary and Angel Gabriel  Joseph working in his carpentry shop

Holy Spirit Miraculous insemination purity God’s Presence

Joseph in His Workshop  Joseph depicted constructing mouse traps  Symbolic of belief that Christ was the bait with which Satan would be trapped

Jan van Eyck  The Arnolfini Wedding  Symbolism:  dog: loyalty ;  single burning candle: presence of God  fruit: Innocence  Shoes off: holy event

Figure on bedhead = St. Margaret Mirror and inscription: “artist was here” and witnesses in reflection

The Ghent Altarpiece

 Central lower panel: Adoration of the Lamb  Lamb (Christ) on altar of sacrifice  Controls flow of light: light is crystal clear  Atmospheric perspective to create illusion of deep space.

Martyrs Cross Pigeon = Holy Spirit Angels carry 4 symbols of the Passion Eternal Life Old Testament figures Church Authorities Apostles Virgins Pillar of flagellation Spear of VinegarSpear of piercing

St Jerome in His Study  Nature  Sensitive use of light and color  Variety of textures

Realism and Emotionalism Chapter 17 Section 2

Rogier van der Weyden  Combined concern for detail with emphasis on emotional impact of his subject matter

 Dignity suggested by: lowered eyes, locked fingers, frail build  Wealth suggested by: gold belt buckle and rings Portrait of a Lady

The Descent from the Cross  Human Emotion  Each face expresses different emotion  Space between Christ’s right and Mary’s left = void between living and dead

The Descent from the Cross (cont.)  Organization: use of repeating curved axis lines  Two figures at each side bend inward to direct attention to Christ and Mary  Christ’s body forms an S curve (repeated in the curve of his fainting mother)

The Descent from the Cross (cont.)  Use of emphasis: no deep space  Figures placed in shallow space but not crowded  Placed on a narrow stage with no landscape behind  Faces differ from each other

Hugo van der Goes  Combined emotionalism of van der Weyden w/realistic detail of Jan van Eyck  Altered nature & proportions of people/objects when those changes added to emotional impact of his pictures  Took liberties with space to increase emotional appeal

Portinari Altarpiece

The Adoration of the Shepherds  Tipped floor of stable upwards to provide better view & bring viewer into it  Sad & withdrawn figures of Mary and Joseph bring to mind Christ’s future death

Adoration of the Shepherds (cont.)  Shepherds: expressions show the piety of the ordinary, uneducated people of the world based on blind faith;  First artist to represent peasants in a painting  Use of proportion and movement

Wheat = Communion Bread Purple columbine = Mary’s sorrows Shoe = Holy Event Ox = Faithful Christians Donkey = Fail to see Savior White lilies = Purity Orange lilies = The Passion Castle = House of David