The Northern Renaissance (c. 1400 – 1600) developed in present day Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Major changes were taking place on the economic, social, political and religious fronts. Wealthy merchants became patrons of the arts. This led to increased demand for portrait, landscape, still-life and genre paintings to decorate their homes. The refinement of the oil painting technique by Robert Campin and Jan van Eyck created luminescence with its rich detail, vibrant color and symbolism. Joachim Patinir and Albrecht Durer moved beyond traditional history painting to explore landscape. Hans Holbein was considered the best portrait painter of the 16th century. Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter the Bruegel, the Elder inspired many of the Surrealist artists of the 20th century. These are but some of the masters we will examine from this new dynamic era.

The class will be lectures with accompanying visuals. Class participation will be encouraged.  Weekly preparation should be 30-60 minutes.  Homework will be in the form of visuals and/or written articles. Questions to be discussed in the following week’s class will be raised at this time.