Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 11/19/2007

Question
what is the different between the renaissancee in northern and southern europe? and which is more religious

Answer
Hi Darlene - and thanks for your question.  The most significant 'difference' between Northern and Italian Renaissance art is the medium -- the development of oil glazes in the North while the south (Italy) is still using tempera.  As to religion:  The Renaissance generally refers to the re-birth (renaissance) of Classical thoughts and practices - and the over-riding theory is Humanism (which is not a religion but places Man at the centre of all things.  This is a radical change from the medieval mindset which had man's existence ordered by God; in the Renaissance, Man decides his own fate and is a tool for the glorification of God.)  I couldn't say which is the 'more religious' - North or South - much depends on what you are looking at.  There's religion in Van Eyck's Arnolfini Marriage - and there are references to religion in Botticelli's Primavera -- you just have to know how to decode them!  Good luck.