Albrecht Durer: Catalyst of the Northern Renaissance Essay

The cultural rebirth that occurred in Europe from the 14th century through mid-1600s was called the Renaissance based on the rediscovery of the literature of Greece and Rome. The Reformation occurred, modern times are often considered to have begun with the Renaissance. Some major figures were Galileo, Shakespeare, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. This led to the scientific revolution, with its emphasis on science which led to new Universities. Which led to the Industrial Revolution. (PDF William Shakespeare, Galileo, Michelangelo, da Vinci)

The shift between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was characterized by great socio-economic, political, and religious changes. Politically, the feudal system of the Middle Ages was exchanged for a more stable centralized republic/monarchy system that gave the people more freedom and input. Religiously, secularism became more important as stability gave people a chance to concern themselves with the “here and now” rather than simply the “hereafter.” Socially, there was a shift from dogma and unshakeable belief to humanism and the ability to interpret things for oneself. The Middle Ages began around 400 CE and lasted until 1400 CE while the Renaissance began around 1200 and continued until 1600. The 200 years that overlap between

Before there was a rebirth in Europe, there was instability that resulted into deaths, famine, and destruction. Therefore, the renaissance played a crucial role in Europe, specifically in Italy. The renaissance would be defined as a cycle where Europe practiced a rebirth of antiquity based on the Greeks and Roman culture. For instance, the people of Italian Europe studied religion and the Northern people established several teachings of learning on topics of technology, philosophy, and science. Wherefore, the social status of artists changed since advanced ideas of art was always available in Europe l throughout the Renaissance. This had an impact on the church to be more stabilized because of how their power was drained in the past. In addition,

The Italian and Northern Renaissances’ happened about the same time in the 15th century but the Italian Renaissance is the more famous of the two. The Italian Renaissance is well known because of artists’ like Michelangelo while the Northern Renaissance is well known because of artists like Jan Van Eyck. Although there are many differences in the two renaissances’ there are also a few similarities between them. Both of the Renaissances had distinct artists’ hubs or centers. The Italian’s was in Florence and the Northern Renaissance was in Flanders, Belgium and then eventually Germany.

Albrecht Durer was a German known for his engravings and painting throughout Europe. He lived from 1471-1528 and during that time made a great impact on the world of art. Durer was raised by his father and godfather, who were a goldsmith, and printer/publisher, respectively. From these men he learned his basic art skills such as drawing and woodcutting. His experience with his family as a child lead to his expertise in painting, printmaking, engraving, math, and theology. Durer, also often thought about the different proportions that are seen in a human body, which influenced his future work, such as his Adam and Eve paintings. He is known to be the first northern European to have been influenced by things going on with the Italian Renaissance.

The Northern Renaissance was famous for its advanced oil painting techniques, realistic, expressive altarpiece art, making portraits on wooden panel paintings, as well as woodcuts and other forms of printmaking. Stone sculpture was not popular, but wood-carving was a German specialty. Prior to the 1500s, Renaissance art in Italy had almost no effect on development of painting and sculpture in Northern Europe. Even after the 1500s, the High Renaissance blossomed. Issues like religion, politics, climate and differing artistic traditions, tended to minimize the uptake of cultural ideas from Florence and Rome.

The Renaissance through Italian influences as well as the North played a huge role in shaping not only the countries involved, but it changed the world in numerous ways. Through the arts and the intellectuals that brought about great ideas, this era could easily be defined as a time of rebirth for beauty and knowledge. The Northern and Italian Renaissance revitalized and developed Europe from the Middle Ages, both areas were similar in their ideas, but different from their timing.

The Italian and Northern European Renaissance was the marking point for leaving behind the old ways and moving into the more classical ideals and civilizations for Italy and Northern Europe. However, Northern Europe developed their ideals more slowly then Italy did. “For one thing, the north held on to Gothic (or "Middle Ages") art and architecture with a tighter, longer grip

Mainly, the Northern Renaissance happened in regions of Eastern Europe. Throughout that time, there was an importance on the lives of peasants. A significant importance was put on living a simple life. As a result, artists like Pieter Bruegel the Elder did paintings such as "Haymaking." It showed regular peasants conducting out their usual day to day duties. Remember that the Northern Renaissance came in later.

Venetians and Northerners certainly had a complex relationship as illustrated in the primary source of Durer's (at times amusing) letters to his friend. Durer seemed to have a rocky relationship with Venetians artists, who were known to criticize his work even though they frequently borrowed his ideas. This could be out of jealousy or wariness of competition as it seemed that Durer became fairly successful with receiving commissions during his stay in Venice. Durer heaps praise onto Giovanni Bellini; however, the German artist is not immune to stating his own criticism as well, as he tells his friend that Venetian historical paintings are "nothing extraordinary" and "always the same thing" (Durer 18). Others Venetians appeared to be quite nice to him, but he did have quite a bit of bad luck with some precious stone merchants in the city.

The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy around the 1500’s to about the 1700’s. Florence, Italy was the mecca of this rebirth because at the time Florence was extremely wealthy and the people of the city had political freedom and those new ideals of the Renaissance were not being condemned in Florence as they were other cities. This was a time where the arts and the logic of one’s own mind was valued rather than criticized, the antiquated medieval ideals no longer matched the needs of those who were living during the early Renaissance. Eventually, a term for this way of thinking arose and was called Humanism, and what humanism is, is an ideology where humans can lead themselves to create a prosperous life and instead of leaning on supernatural forces for answers. Humanists believe that humans have enough logic to create conclusions themselves. This brand-new way of thinking caused a lot of controversy because it did question God’s ability and the church’s power, but the ideas behind it are still heavily used today, even in the 21st century. Humanism in the early Renaissance is important because it called for thinking with reason, it allowed an appreciation for human body and mind, inspired authors and caused a shift in power.

“The rebirth.” “The early modern period.” The Renaissance is alluded to by many names, referring to the great artistic renewal period beginning in the 14th century and ending in the 17th century. Occurring after the Medieval Period, it is often considered to be the bridge to modern day history as we know it. It was period of change, revival, and great augmentation for society. With the Middle Ages coming to an end and with the intellectual decline that had followed, scholars and thinkers alike began to study the ideals of ancient philosophers of the classical world, most prominently the Greeks and Romans, a time of great innovation and high human achievement, the likes of Humanism that hadn’t been seen for centuries.

The 14th, 15th and part of 16th century was a glorious time for Europe, it was the reformation of many old ideas and the formation of many new, this was called the Renaissance. The Renaissance brought many changes to Europe, the economy was greatly boosted by of all the new explorations. The flourishing economy helped to inspire new developments in art and literature. And from that many new beliefs were formed.

The Renaissance had its start in Florence Italy and was inspired by the values of ancient Greece and ancient Rome. During the Renaissance, people from various levels of society began to study classical literature and art.

During the 1400s and 1500s in mainly Italy there was a major change that took place in all aspects of life. This was called the Renaissance and was a movement that helped give rebirth to culture and the arts. This movement went away from the medieval times that had forced a feudalist system on its people. The Medieval times were a dark period in European history that saw a major decline in arts and government. This declining can be attributed to a number of different reasons. One of which was the Bubonic Plague that spread throughout Europe and Asia and killed millions of its inhabitants. This was the final nail in the medieval coffin. Throughout these times the major focus for government and the arts were all religion oriented. The Black