art history

Time Period: 1400-1500 emphasis on non-religious subjects; portraits, genre paintings, still life commercial/mercantilism prospered; trading towns; simulated interest in the arts cities competed for best cathedrals, altars, etc.  political/religious turmoil during the reformation; martin luther caused one of the greatest upheavals in european history netherlands and germany protestant; spain, italy, catholic anti catholic; iconoclastic movement capitalist market system, flourished due to grade; printmaking made artists more popular Johann Gutenberg; prints mass produced and inexpensive; oil paint; rich colors; natural hues and tones; dried slower; medium of choice thin, graceful figures; latest fashions; gold in abundance; elaborate frames symbolism plays large role; meanings of simple objects studied/debated by scholars  assimilation of Italian Renaissance ideas into a Northern European context Northern Europeans had a fondness for nature, either in the study of...

Woman Holding a Balance . Johannes Vermeer. c. 1664 C.E. Oil on canvas. SCENE OF EVERYDAY LIFE; CUSTOM OF VERMEER UPPER MERCHANT CLASS; HOLLAND IN 17TH CENTURY TINY BIT OF LIGHT; STATIC, QUIET; BOXES OF JEWELRY, STRING OF PEARLS PAINTING OF CHRIST IN BACKGROUND; HIS JUDGEMENT; GIVES A LOT MORE THAN IT SEEMS NATURAL; CAREFULLY PLANNED; VANISHING POINT; CENTER OF PAINTING IS WHERE BALANCES ARE; COLOR, SHADOW, GOLD OF CURTAIN IN DRESS, JEWELRY; REMINDERS OF CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN 17TH CENTURY; INTIMATE; NEED TO BALANCE WEALTH AND SPIRITUALITY

The Arnolfini Portrait . Jan van Eyck. c. 1434 C.E. Oil on wood.