Post #2

The documentary Northern Renaissance: The Supreme Art was very interesting and informative in its description of the rise and progression of renaissance art. The most important artistic idea the video conveyed was one of extreme naturalism. This was first introduced through the Ghent alter piece and more specifically the image of Adam. Jan van Eyck, the head creator of the piece, was able to use paint to make the figures look as though their flesh was warm, their skin was tanned and they were people that one could touch if they tried. Detail on the smallest scale such as hair, veins, and wrinkles on the body, as well as light and shadow, are crucial in depicting such realism. He was able to paint in such a manner that the highlights and shadows he created with paint, glint in an eye or shine from a jewel, were the same as would occur naturally with the actual light source on the piece. He was able to make simple oil paint appear clear, translucent, and gleaming. According to the video, it was his consistent use of only oil paint that allowed him to create such convincing illusions of the natural world. Where earlier art might have incorporated gold leaf or included precious stones, van Eyck used paint to convey gold and jewels in an equally realistic way.

Painting was not the only art form to see a strive for naturalism. Sculpture was also moving to achieve this extreme. Much like van Eyck did for painting, a sculptor named Claus Sluter helped to move sculpture beyond its more common uses as an embellishment or decorative part of a building or structure.In his piece, The Well of Moses, Sluter was able to capture the natural and realistic qualities that were becoming popular in paint, except this time in stone. He was able to show muscle strain, the flow and hang of clothing as it would naturally drape on the body. The individuality of each figure is impressive, each in different body positions and wearing different facial expressions. Subtle and even drastic differences between mouths and eyes on the different figures separate them as individuals that could stand alone.

Culturally, there are two ideas that stand out as important during the renaissance. The first is the use of religious content throughout art. Many, if not most of the pieces created are the telling of biblical stories and interpretations. Much of the artwork decorated and was displayed inside of churches and cathedrals. The focus of naturalism lends itself to this subject because of the ability to portray holy figures as you might have seen them in life, a realistic visual image to go along with the stories of the faith. Also as a way to show the divinity of miraculous work in a natural way, such as the painting showing heaven come to earth that was highlighted in the video. After paintings had begun to grow, the second cultural idea that became popular was the ability of more modest families to have a portrait done. Having a portrait was a way for people to hold onto and pass down a likeness of people important to them. It was a way of preserving family history and legacy through generations. It is interesting that these images become popular because of their nonreligious motives and the ability for a more common person to desire and acquire them.