Details, Details, Details: The Northern Renaissance Makes its Mark.

Portrait of Arnolfini and his bride by Jan Van Eyck

Portrait of Arnolfini and His bride by Jan Van Eyck

The rich colors and exquisite details (check out the mirror in the back! It is a complete reflection of everything seen in the portrait) are indicative of the Northern Renaissance movement.

From Masterclass.com:

The Northern Renaissance is a period in which artists north of the Alps—namely, in the Low Countries (the Netherlands and Belgium), Germany, France, and England— adopted and adapted the ideas of the Italian Renaissance. It is characterized by a realistic approach to painting, improved techniques, and the proliferation of printmaking.

The art of the Northern Renaissance tends to feature several defining characteristics.

Symbolism: Most notably associated with Jan van Eyck, symbolism merges the iconography of the Middle Ages with the more progressive themes of the Renaissance. It appears in paintings and illuminated manuscripts of the era.
Embrace of realism: The art of the Middle Ages was often flat and two-dimensional with muted colors. During the Northern Renaissance, advances in linear perspective, illumination, and coloration allowed a wholehearted embrace of realism.
Depictions of natural light: Through the use of oil paint, Northern Renaissance artists depicted illumination in ways that tempura-based paints could not accommodate.
Emphasis on altarpieces: While Northern Renaissance art appeared in many forms, the altarpiece was a popular style—particularly as a tryptic.
Bold coloration: Oil-based pigments allowed for far more vivid colors than could be found in prior eras.

Learn More.

Click here to download Sue Pojer's powerpoint over Northern Renaissance Art.

Click here to read the Boundless Art History section on Northern Renaissance Art.

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