Styles & Periods

Styles & Periods

Northern Renaissance

The term Northern Renaissance is used to describe the European Renaissance outside of Italy. The European Renaissance was born in Italy in the late thirteenth century, ushering in a new age of thought marked by tremendous cultural ambition. Several artistic innovations emerged during the Italian Renaissance; a fresh focus on realism led to advances in depicting perspective and the human form, and catalyzed the development of new techniques, such as sfumato, to represent the effects of light. The Italian Renaissance, though powered by some of the most important artists to ever live, had little influence outside of Italy until the late fifteenth century. The emergence of Humanism had fueled the Italian Renaissance, and because it had not yet established a foothold in the northern countries, much of their art was still informed by ingrained religious tenets. As the Roman Catholic Church began to lose influence in the fifteenth century, secular philosophy, namely humanism, began to flourish. Aided by the printing press, renaissance philosophies spread quickly throughout Europe, and the Northern Renaissance had officially begun. Albrecht Dürer, often considered the greatest of the Northern Renaissance artists, took multiple trips to Italy, adopting new styles and techniques, and sharing his knowledge of the masters throughout Germany and the Netherlands. Jan van Eyck, who worked in the second half of the 15th century, was also a master of the Northern Renaissance, credited for his groundbreaking work with oil paint. Wherever the renaissance spread, France, Poland, Scandinavia, and even England by the end of the sixteenth century, artists incorporated the exciting new methods with their artistic heritage, creating a wealth of artistic treasures.


Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

From $19.19

Expressive Abstracts in Acrylic

by Search Press

55 innovative projects, inspiration, & techniques to paint.

Up to 65% Off

From $2.10

Up to 53% Off

XL Newsprint Pads

by Canson

100% recycled newsprint that's great for sketching
On Sale

From $23.99

The Stencil Graffiti Manual

by Schiffer

Information & inspiration for beginning stencil street art.

At Least 29% Off

Iridescent and Interference Acrylics

by Golden

Add unique dimensions to your acrylic works
Top Rated
Latest Product Reviews
Your prices are great compared to other stores - so thank you for this.
- Mar in Pittsburgh, PA.
This is the red we've all been waiting for! It is a deep, darker red, but not mahogany in color at all. Of all the reds I have in my collection, this is by far my favorite. One layer is perfect, but as you paint over it again, it remains true to its color, in a darker hue, of course. Thank you TH!
- JenG in Michigan
Totally thrilled on all fronts, delivery, price and the goods!
- Westy in New York
Free Download for Kids

Download free coloring book pages Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.

View Pages »