15.1 The impact of the Protestant Reformation on art

The Protestant Reformation shook up religious art in 16th century Europe. It challenged the Catholic Church's authority, leading to new artistic styles and subjects. This shift away from religious imagery opened doors for secular art to flourish.

As a result, art patronage changed hands. Wealthy merchants and civic leaders replaced the Church as main art buyers. This led to a boom in portraits, landscapes, and everyday scenes, especially in Protestant regions like the Netherlands.

Protestant Reformation Leaders

Key Figures and Their Beliefs

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• Protestant Reformation began in 16th century Europe as a religious, intellectual, and cultural upheaval that challenged the authority and practices of the Roman Catholic Church
• Martin Luther, a German theologian and religious reformer, sparked the Reformation in 1517 by publishing his Ninety-five Theses which criticized the sale of indulgences and other church practices
  • Luther emphasized the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide) and the supreme authority of the Bible (sola scriptura)
• John Calvin, a French theologian and a key figure in the Reformation, developed the doctrine of predestination and established a theocratic government in Geneva, Switzerland (Calvinism)
  • Calvin's teachings spread throughout Europe, particularly influencing the Reformed churches in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and Scotland (Presbyterianism)

Spread and Impact of Reformation Ideas

• The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century facilitated the rapid dissemination of Reformation ideas across Europe through the mass production of pamphlets, tracts, and vernacular translations of the Bible (Luther's German Bible)
• The Reformation led to the fragmentation of Western Christianity into various Protestant denominations, including Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, and Anabaptism, each with their own theological emphases and practices
• The Reformation challenged the political and religious authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire, leading to religious wars and conflicts in Europe, such as the German Peasants' War (1524-1525) and the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598)

Impact on Religious Art

Iconoclasm and the Rejection of Religious Imagery

• Iconoclasm, the destruction or rejection of religious images and icons, became widespread in Protestant areas during the Reformation
  • Protestants viewed the veneration of images and relics as a form of idolatry and contrary to the Ten Commandments' prohibition of graven images
• In some regions, such as Zurich and Geneva, religious artwork was removed from churches, and statues, altarpieces, and other decorations were destroyed or defaced (Beeldenstorm in the Netherlands)
• The rejection of religious imagery led to a shift in artistic production, with a greater emphasis on non-religious subjects, such as portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes

Secularization of Art and the Rise of New Genres

• The Reformation contributed to the secularization of art, as artists began to explore non-religious themes and subjects
  • Still lifes, landscapes, and scenes of everyday life (genre painting) became increasingly popular, particularly in the Netherlands (Dutch Golden Age)
• Portraiture also flourished during this period, as the rising middle class sought to commemorate their status and achievements through commissioned paintings
  • Artists such as Hans Holbein the Younger, Albrecht Dürer, and Rembrandt van Rijn became renowned for their skillful and psychologically insightful portraits

Changes in Art Patronage

Shift in Patronage from the Church to Secular Patrons

• The Reformation led to a significant shift in art patronage, as the Catholic Church's role as the primary patron of the arts diminished in Protestant regions
• Secular patrons, such as wealthy merchants, guilds, and civic authorities, became increasingly important in commissioning artworks
  • The rise of the middle class and the growth of international trade, particularly in the Netherlands, created a new market for art that catered to the tastes and values of this emerging social group
• The decline in church patronage also led to the development of new artistic centers, such as Antwerp and Amsterdam, which became hubs for the production and trade of art

Northern Renaissance Art and the Influence of Humanism

• The Northern Renaissance, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, was characterized by a greater emphasis on realism, attention to detail, and the influence of humanism
  • Artists such as Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder exemplified the Northern Renaissance style, which often featured meticulous rendering of textures, light, and space (oil painting technique)
• Humanism, a philosophical movement that emphasized the dignity and potential of the individual, had a significant impact on Northern Renaissance art
  • Artists began to incorporate classical themes, motifs, and proportions into their work, reflecting the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture (mythological subjects, architectural elements)
• The Northern Renaissance also saw the emergence of new artistic genres, such as the vanitas still life, which served as a moral reminder of the transience of earthly pleasures and the inevitability of death (skulls, hourglasses, extinguished candles)