1. The Northern Renaissance
The spread of the Italian Renaissance to England, France, Germany, and Flanders (Netherlands)

2. Essential Questions
What contributions did writers and philosophers make to the northern Renaissance?
How did the works of northern artists differ from those of the Italian Renaissance?

3. Northern Renaissance Background
The Renaissance began in Italy in the 1300s
It did not reach Northern Europe until after 1450
Economic growth began later which delayed the support of the arts

4. The Renaissance Spreads North
Trading Ideas
As cities grew, vast trading network spread across northern Europe
Network dominated by Hanseatic League, merchant organization, 1200s to 1400s
Protected members from pirates, other hazards
Built lighthouses, trained ship captains
Trading Goods
Northern Europeans traded ideas, goods; spread Italian Renaissance north
Fleeing violence, Italian artists brought humanist ideas, painting techniques north
Northern scholars traveled to Italy, brought ideas home
Universities started in France, Netherlands, Germany

5. Philosophers and Writers
Northern humanists expressed their own ideas
Combined interests of theology, fiction and history
Created philosophical works, novels, dramas, and poems
Combined Christian ideas, humanism
Wrote of pure, simple Christian life, educating children
Fanned flames of discontent
Roman Catholic Church censored, condemned works
Desiderius Erasmus
More’s best-known work, Utopia, contains criticisms of English government, society
Presents vision of perfect, non-existent society based on reason
Sir Thomas More
Italian-born writer focused on role of women in society
Grew up in French court of Charles V; turned to writing when widowed
Championed equality, education for women
Christine de Pisan

6. Shakespeare and His Characters
Spread Renaissance Ideas
William Shakespeare
Use of language, choice of themes made plays appealing even to uneducated
Plays helped spread ideas of Renaissance to mass audience
Focused on lives of realistic characters, unlike morality plays
By Shakespeare’s death, 1616, London scene of thriving theatre district
Many believe English playwright William Shakespeare greatest writer
Plots not original, but treatments of them masterful
Drew inspiration from ancient, contemporary literature
Knowledge of natural science, humanist topics expressed in plays

7. Albrecht Durer (German)
Known as the “German Leonardo”
He traveled to Italy in 1494
After returning to Germany, he produced woodcuts and engravings
Many of his prints portray religious subjects and classical myths
The popularity of his works helped to spread Renaissance styles

8. DURER – woodcuts
Samson Killing the Lion
Hercules

9. Jan van Eyck (Flemish)
Van Eyck used oil-based paints to develop new techniques.
By applying layer upon layer of paint, van Eyck was able to create a variety of subtle colors in clothing and jewels
His paintings display realistic details and reveal the personality of their subjects

11. Pieter Brueghel (Flemish)
Interested in realistic details and individual people
He was very skillful in portraying large numbers of people
He captured scenes from everyday peasant life such as weddings, dances, and harvest

12. Bruegel

14. Changes from the Italian Renaissance
Humanism in the north led to calls for social and religious reform (More & Erasmus)
N. Renaissance artists reflected a more down-to-earth view of humanity
Tried to depict people as they really were
Use of oil paints produced bright colors and a hard surface, which lasted longer

15. Elizabethan Age The Renaissance spread to England in the mid-1500s
Named for Queen Elizabeth I ( )
She was well educated and spoke French, Italian, Latin, and Greek
She supported the development of English art and literature
The theatre flourished under her patronage
William Shakespeare and many others composed plays that broke free of past styles.