Northern Renaissance Research Paper

Renaissance is a humanism revolution that began in Florence, Italy, from 14th century to 17th century, lasts more than three hundred years. It swept through Europe, setting off a history of mankind's greatest technological revolution. According to the development of all the European countries, in which, Italian Renaissance and northern Renaissance are the most significant. In fact, both of these renaissances had an important impact that not only on Europe but also on around the world, however, both of these had its own characteristics and style. As for the Italian renaissance, due to Italy is the birthplace of Europe renaissance, the style of Italian renaissance is magnificent and serious. At that time, people started to have awareness of classical beauty,
so the art of works which was made at that time, was decorated by the theme of classical mythology and religious scenes. In part, this serious style and variety of topics related to religion was in order to meet aesthetic preferences of the upper class. When creating the works of arts, the artists always emphasis the works are whether symmetrical and balanced, because the artists believed that they were paying tribute to classical aesthetics when they are doing so. Also, since that time, the artists cared about the material choice of the work of art, they used bronze, marble and so on when they shaping sculptures. After a spurt of growth in the number of works of art, the artists’ painting technique had been changed, they began to focus on the perspective of viewers’ when they looking at the paintings, creating a linear perspective and atmospheric perspective, and so on painting techniques. We could say that, comparing with the artists whom belong to Northern Renaissance, the Italian artists cared about the look of the whole work of art, for creating a classic, elegant and serious style. As for the development of painting, the artists created fresco, tempera and oil for maintaining the colors last longer, during this period, many great frescoes were created and known by around the world, such as, Michelangelo, Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel ceiling. This fresco is a well-known masterpiece that its artistic value makes it as a milestone in the history of Western art. As for Northern Renaissance, since Italian Renaissance did not had impact on anywhere else except Italy, until the king of France François I, who improved the development renaissance in France, caused the improvement of renaissance in Northern Europe.
Although Northern Renaissance studied under Italian Renaissance, the theme of Northern Renaissance art works are not only about religious, but also included portraits. As for architectural development, the northern artists focused on the decoration of buildings, especially the details of the surface. They promoted naturalism, compared to the elegant Italian style, the northern artists paid attention on their artworks are whether in fresh and natural style. As for painting, the northern artists painted oil on panels and canvas, they are different with the Italian artists, the northern artists promoted realism, their paintings are more realistic. Jan van Eyck, Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, as one of the most famous Northern Renaissance artwork. In the painting, the realistic depiction of the interior decoration of the room, has become the biggest highlight of the painting, which represents that the northern artists striving for perfection when they are
painting. Overall, throughout both Italian Renaissance and Northern Renaissance, Italian renaissance as the role model for the whole Europe renaissance, was a pioneer of cultural development in Europe area, although Northern Renaissance is started latter than the former, the northern artists were preferred natural and realistic style than serious and religious style, this also is the most significant difference between Italian Renaissance and Northern Renaissance.