Northern Renaissance: The Supreme Art

In the early 15th century, and epidemic spread out across Europe and the Church stood divided with its popes and there was not much artistic advancement going on throughout Europe. Only in Flanders, present day Belgium, Holland, did the artistic revolution begun and had quickly spread out throughout the continent. With the help of the printing press that was invented, "the remarkable oil paintings of Flemish artist Jan van Eyck transformed a lowly craft into the supreme art and began an image revolution that would change art forever." (Northern Renaissance Article) One of the cathedrals still holds the original paintings which had started that revolution. Some of the paintings consist of images of the long dead historical figures that, once again, seem to be living again among us. They are painted in such a way, that one could almost feel their presence in the room. 

Many other artists started making art which reflected their royal or noble status among others. Their paintings included the objects of the expensive lifestyle of the court. The finest tapestries were made of silk thread of gold that told stories of victories or different religious scenes. The dynasty of Duke of Burgundy had wine yards that expanded all the way to Flanders. The more land they owned, the more power they had. The artwork of the dukes was in expansive tapestries, enough to cover their many households, and in gold objects that were of no use, but were there to increase the wealthy look and then later be melted down to make new objects for display. 

Although painting was very important in art, sculptures were becoming more and more popular during the Renaissance era. Claus Sluter, a very successful sculptor, had made the "Well of Moses" sculpture which included Christ on the cross, Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist, and Mary Magdalene at His feet, and below the cross were the sculptures of six different men from the Old Testament of the Bible which had prophesied the birth of Christ. The churches, instead of just having painting and writings on their walls, were now made with many more windows to show the view of different 3-D spaces. 

Jan van Eycks paintings and other works are all portraying the artists deeds, signatures and even self portraits, which celebrate the life of the artist. One of his self portraits, tells us a lot more about the artist than any recorded documents can tell us. Because he had such an amazing talent of a painter, Jan van Eyck was hired as an ambassador for one of the Dukes of Burgundy and was traveling all over Europe making paintings for the duke, for which he was compensated. Jan van Eyck had made painting into the ultimate art.