Appears to be a genre painting. But is actually meant to be a spiritual well-being reminder. Religious painting seen in background of Joseph and Mary giving alms (money, food) to a beggar Artist contrasts sin and virtue. The hog side, chickens, sausages, a stuffed intestine, and various animal heads are symbolic of the sinful life/gluttony/sloth The fish, wine, pretzels, cheese, and butter are symbolic of spiritual well-being

First known Northern self-portrait by a woman! She paints herself interrupted from her painting to stop and look at the viewer Using a maulstick to steady hand Trained by father, well known artist Signed her name prominently

A typical Netherlandish village From birds eye view spectators encounter a mesmerizing array of activities More than 100 proverbs were illustrated reflecting the Netherlandish love of proverbs “Blind leading the blind” “Cast roses before swine” This work serves as a study of human nature People of all social classes present Reminiscent of Bosch

One of the six paintings illustrating seasonal changes Human figures and landscapes locked in a brutal winter Hunters are weary Trace of fantasy but optically accurate Develops smoothly from foreground to background Typical high Northern horizon

Draws viewers diagonally into its depth Subtlety in tonal harmony Counterpart of classical Chinese landscapes Bruegel loved to paint peasants in their daily activities He shows the seasonal struggles of peasants Reminiscent of the Limbourg Brothers Book of Hours

Born in Crete, province of Venice Studied art in Italy Adapted parts of Mannerism and Venetian School of Painting and made it something entirely unique Arrogant-said Michelangelo couldn’t paint Hated sunlight-thought it killed “light from within” which is a trademark of his paintings

Church commission to honor Count Orgaz who was a benefactor of the Church of Tome in Spain. Died 3 centuries prior. El Greco carefully distinguished the terrestrial (earth) area from the celestial (sky) area Terrestrial area is very realistic Celestial area is very ethereal-swirling colors, distorted figures St. Stephan and St. Augustine have descended from heaven to take the Count’s body to Heaven. Citizens of Toledo in background Strange, flickering light. Byzantine influence

Cityscape of Toledo, Spain transformed into a mystical illusion by a stormy sky and a limited palette of greens, grays, and blues El Greco is more concerned with the power of nature than the preciseness of portrayal Uses “unearthly lighting”

King Phillip II –patron. Square complex forming a grid-like pattern which housed a mausoleum, church, monastery and palace Located outside Madrid It reflects the classical principles of balance, symmetry, and unity.

Patron Saint of Escorial is Saint Lawrence Legend has it that the complex forms a grid pattern to represent the gridiron Saint Lawrence was roasted alive on…