Author: Victoria Charles

Layout:

Baseline Co. Ltd

61A-63A Vo Van Tan Street

4th Floor

District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

© Confidential Concepts, worldwide, USA

© Parkstone Press International, New York, USA

Image-Bar www.image-bar.com

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or adapted without the permission of the copyright holder, throughout the world. Unless otherwise specified, copyright on the works reproduced lies with the respective photographers, artists, heirs or estates. Despite intensive research, it has not always been possible to establish copyright ownership. Where this is the case, we would appreciate notification.

ISBN: 978-1-68325-703-5

Victoria Charles

 

 

 

Renaissance Paintings

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

Introduction

Il Rinascimento

The Renewal of German Painting

The Netherlands, France, England and Spain

Major Artists

List of illustrations

Introduction

For the entire European economy, the Renaissance was a decisive period. In the 15th century great European families like the Medici from Florence pushed international commerce. Parallel to the increase of fortunes resulting from this trade, art experienced a new time of opulence, especially thanks to the new innovative techniques and the materials which it disposed of. In the 1440s Johannes Gutenberg developed the movable-type printing press, a more efficient and less expensive method than xylography. At the same time, painters set egg based tempera painting aside and orientated towards oils. Filippo Brunelleschi discovered the principles of perspective, a revolutionary method allowing him to overcome the lack of depth found in medieval art by simulating a three-dimensional space. Finally, in 1452, a man was born who is would eternally incarnate the typical Renaissance scholar: humanist, scientist and artist Leonardo da Vinci.

The 16th century marks the heyday of the Renaissance. It begins with the two main catalysts of Protestant Reformation: the Ninety-Five Theses by Martin Luther in 1517, and John Calvin’s intention to reform the church. These movements result in the formation of Protestantism, which focuses on personal belief rather than ecclesiastical doctrine. The invention of the printing press in the previous century had made the Bible accessible to everybody; knowledge of the Scriptures was a main characteristic of the Reformation. At the same time, in the 1530s, the English Reformation, initiated by Henry VIII, leads to a break with Rome, resulting in the separation of the Anglican Church. In these tumultuous times the Catholic Church reacts with extreme measures to regain control over religious belief through the Holy Office of the Inquisition and the Council of Trent (1545-1563) which launches the Counter-Reformation.

In fact, the second half of the Renaissance is essentially marked by these religious revolutions, sealing the end of mannerism. The Northern countries, one by one, adopt Protestantism; the system of artistic patronage is subjected to modifications. The affluence from worldwide trade forms a new class of merchants who order secular works of art for churches as well as for private houses. Still lifes and landscape paintings come into vogue, accompanied by a new market for group portraits resulting from the formation of militias and guilds. Whereas in Northern Europe private individuals remain the main buyers of pieces of art, and therefore are able to choose the subjects, in Italy the church keeps its role as First art patron. Just like it did with Raphael, Botticelli and Michelangelo, the church continues its tradition of supporting artists. In France, artistic patronage centers on the king. The heritage of Francis I, with its fine style, strongly radiates the love of Humanism. It is him who is generally seen as the personification of French Renaissance.