Worksheet #24
16th Century in Northern Europe and Spain
v What appears to be a major outcome of the “Protestant Reformation?”
v Why is Lucas Cranach referred to as the “painter of the Reformation?”
Art and intellect seemed immune to these conflicts due to the economics, especially in Catholic Italy and (mostly) Lutheran (Germany) Holy Roman Empire. While many others were in agreement with a humanist approach, as well as interested in the arts and knowledge, they remained faithful to a Christian doctrine, called “Christian Humanists.” Erasmus of Italy and Sir Thomas More of England were among them.
German Puritanism opposed Humanistic Paganism in the figurative arts.
v In the Isenheim Altarpiece (23-2 & 3) by Grunewald, what two saints are depicted on the wings flanking the central panel (the Crucifixion)? Why?
v How does Grunewald enhance the effects?
v How did Durer become a master of the graphic arts?
v The Fall of Man (23-6) is a representation of Durer’s understanding of Classical art from his travels to Italy. Explain.
v “Depart not from nature according to your fancy,” said Durer. . . Finish the statement.
v What influences of Italian Renaissance art (that of Leonardo, Donatello, and Verrocchio) are apparent in the woodblock print Knight, Death, and the Devil (23-8)?
v Gardner explains that Altdorfer painting, The Battle of Issus (23-9) addresses current political issues. Explain.
Hans Holbein the Younger fled to England where he became a painter in the English court. He created as anamorphic image in the painting titled The French Ambassadors (23-10)
v What is an anamorphic image?
v What are some of the symbols in this work?
In France, Jean Clouet painted a portrait of (King) Francis I in 1525 (23-18).
v Describe Clouet’s technique.
v What is the school of Fontainebleau?
v What combination of artists and techniques lead to popular decoration on walls and ceilings?
v During what period do they become really popular?
v The Chateau de Chambord (23-13) design is based on an Italian Palazzo. Explain.
v What level is the antithesis of this design?
In enlarging the Louvre, architect Pierre Lescot and sculptor Jean Goujon produce what is to be known as the Classical style of French Renaissance.
v What specific architectural attributes are examples?
v Why are the sculptures of Goujon’s nymphs from the Fountain of the Innocents in Paris (23-15) considered French masterpieces?
v How did the split of the Netherlands affect the kinds of art produced in this area?
Jan Gossaert and Quentin Messys represent two Flemish artists who studied Italian art to an extent yet were also extremely influenced by Albrecht Durer and the northern tradition of attention to detail and imparting values/mores to the viewer.
v Give some examples of the characteristics that appear in their paintings on pages 679-680.
v Another artist known for moral references was Pieter Aertsen. Explain.
v Who are the important women during this time?
v Describe the Hunters in the Snow (23-22) by Bruegel.
v Netherlandish Proverbs is an example of…
During the 16th century, Spain became an Empire under the rule of Charles V and Phillip II. The discovery and consequently the plundering of lands in Africa and the Western Hemisphere added to the treasury and financial support of the Catholic Counter Reformation.
The Italian Renaissance did have some influence on the art of Spain but not all at once.
v The colonnade of the unfinished palace of Charles V represents the classical simplicity of the architect _________________ and his work on _______________________.
v The Escorial, constructed for Phillip II by Juan Baptista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera was a reflection of Phillip’s wishes. Explain.
v Born in Greece, El Greco’s real name is
v He was trained in the tradition of
v In his painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz (23-26), there are apparently two styles linked. Explain the styles and possible influences. What links the upper and lower halves?
From this point on, styles and subjects will be much more varied and artists will experiment with new modes of art based on decorative flamboyance to the austere realism and genre paintings and then dabble in fantasy and classicism.