Northern Renaissance

          During the Northern Renaissance several values can be seen in the art created at this time. Many works of art created have focus on religion and religious events. The Ghent Altarpiece painted by Jan van Eyck, the so called prince of painting, captures religious art at its best. When this piece was created many people were in awe due to intense naturalism and by the amount of skill that went into producing this work of art. This naturalism is best seen in the painting of Adam, Jan van Eyck painted him with tanned hands and face as if he was a real man. He was able to create such naturalism by painting the underside of Adam’s foot which makes viewers feel as if he could walk out of the painting. Jan van Eyck considered how the light in the Church would reflect onto the painting. He created reflections on shiny surfaces the way it would have been if they had light cast upon them and by doing this it helps convey naturalism.

            At this time, I think that artistic style began to focus on creating images that were very close to how the appear in the natural world. Claus Sluter, the creator of the Well of Moses, was able to achieve naturalism through carved stone. He was able to do this by creating the figures to more then part of the architecture; the figures are in the round and nearly free standing. Each figure is very detailed showing even little details such as wrinkles, and movement in their clothing. Sluter was even able to create a book which Jeremiah holds that appears so naturally with its open pages. Sculpture was the supreme art during the Northern Renaissance while painting was used to enhance sculptures. Altarpieces would have had painted wings then when opened there would be religious sculptures.

            Northern Renaissance artist revamped Manuscript illuminations to be more then just pictures. Manuscript illuminators created worlds within a small area of prayer books that unfolded with each turn of the page. Some Illuminators were master artists, and were able to capture nearly anything they choose, from religious events, and landscapes, to every day life. These illuminations could be windows into seemingly natural worlds.

            Not only was the Northern Renaissance artistic style focused on naturalism, I feel that part of these artistic styles was using many colors throughout the artwork. Oil paint was layered to produce rich natural colors. This can be seen in many Northern Renaissance art. Jan van Eyck’s painting The Arnolfini Portrait conveys his use of color in a naturalistic way. From the woman’s elegant green dress which appears like real fabric to the fur of the dog. Jan van Eyck truly revolutionized the art of oil painting. He was able to create surfaces that would be challenging to convey such as the mirror behind the couple.

            The Northern Renaissance was the beginning of arts rebirth. During this rebirth values shifted and are apparent in the art created at this time. There was a large focus on naturalism, for objects to appear like they would in the natural world.