CONSIDER THE NUT
The theme of Consider the Nut has to do with the rich symbolism and the use of nut oil paintings in Northern Europe. Before this time they didn't use oil as a medium, nor did they sue as much symbolism as this time. This theme will help to remember this.
Historical Context
The Early Northern renaissance marked the period in which the rest of Europe entered the period in which the Italians were in. It was marked by another time in which the people rediscover and emulate the kind of art that the Roman and Greek people did. Europeans before the renaissance as more of a time in which they worked towards salvation. Now however there is more focus on the here and now. The middle class is expanding, bankers and merchants are becoming successful. These characteristics along with the black death subsiding all lead to a very optimistic people around this time.
Feudalism during the start of the Renaissance was on a decline. During the middle ages, the peasants often worked a feudal lords land to survive, however the environment after the subsiding of the plague led to the decline of the feudal system. The use of money rather than land as a form of exchange was another reason for the decrease in feudal practices, as well as the growing number of serfs living as freemen and the formation of nation states that wanted to reduce the power of feudal lord to increase their own power all contributed to more freedom for the common people. This helped to drive the beginning of the northern renaissance.
The spread of renaissance practices and the increase of intellectual development could be attributed to the printing press. The printing press allowed for the quick copying of literary works, making the costs of books go down considerably. This allowed more people to use books to learn as well as to spread ideas. It had the power to spread knowledge of scientific research and political ideas, which considerably impacted the development of northern Europe.
Art during this period was highly influenced by the art during the Italian renaissance. Many of the famous artists of the north traveled to Italy to both influence them with their art style, as well as to learn from the people there about the Italian style there. Some of these artists include Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Many of the artists during the northern renaissance mainted characteristics of the Gothic times, as well as incorporating new characteristics from the quickly spreading Italian Renaissance.
Feudalism during the start of the Renaissance was on a decline. During the middle ages, the peasants often worked a feudal lords land to survive, however the environment after the subsiding of the plague led to the decline of the feudal system. The use of money rather than land as a form of exchange was another reason for the decrease in feudal practices, as well as the growing number of serfs living as freemen and the formation of nation states that wanted to reduce the power of feudal lord to increase their own power all contributed to more freedom for the common people. This helped to drive the beginning of the northern renaissance.
The spread of renaissance practices and the increase of intellectual development could be attributed to the printing press. The printing press allowed for the quick copying of literary works, making the costs of books go down considerably. This allowed more people to use books to learn as well as to spread ideas. It had the power to spread knowledge of scientific research and political ideas, which considerably impacted the development of northern Europe.
Art during this period was highly influenced by the art during the Italian renaissance. Many of the famous artists of the north traveled to Italy to both influence them with their art style, as well as to learn from the people there about the Italian style there. Some of these artists include Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Many of the artists during the northern renaissance mainted characteristics of the Gothic times, as well as incorporating new characteristics from the quickly spreading Italian Renaissance.