Sixteenth Century Art in Northern Europe

Whilst southern Europe was emerging with the new Mannerist art movement, northern Europe began rebelling Protestantism with its own unique styles. However, one of the most famous artists of this time was a man from Germany named Albrecht Dürer and he was inspired by Italian painting and incorporated some of the southern ideas into his work. Unlike other Northern European countries, Germany did not hold a guild system for artists. Because of this, Dürer was able to work independently to gain fame of his marvelous talent.    

            In his engraving Adam and Eve, Dürer promotes several artistic techniques that were popular in northern and southern Europe. For example, one of the characteristics of this work that is a trademark of Italian art is the idealism of the human form. Typically, northern art during this time moved away from the perfect, stylized bodies that were seen more in the south. In this piece, however, Dürer utilizes this ideal form with Adam and Eve although instead of elongating them as seen in Italian mannerist art, he used correct and exact human proportions. This is a sign that humanism was still a big part of art in the south, especially with the contraposto stance that he uses. Another characteristic that shows Italian influence is the stylized hair of Adam and Eve. Eve’s hair appears to be blown back in the wind in perfectly detailed wavy locks. Another distinction that I noticed about this work is that the two figures are shown in profile (at least their heads are) which is a similar style used during the fifteenth century in Italy when portraiture became popular. With his own self-portraits, Düer used the three quarter view and the frontal view, so I am curious as to why he chose to portray Adam and Eve in profile.       

            Dürer integrated this southern style into more northern features. In Adam and Eve, he displays northern ideas with careful attention to detail and texture. The way he created the soft flesh of the two figures as opposed to the rough tree bark is a perfect example of what was popular in northern art. Also, northerners tended to keep similar ideas used in medieval times to capture biblical events in a more contemporary environment. This is portrayed with the animals depicted in the foreground of this work. Four of the animals represent the four medieval temperaments: phlegm, yellow bile, black bile and blood. These animals together are also a sign of balance, which is something that southern artists avoided. Another aspect that represents northern art is the use of symbols. Besides the four temperaments, there are various other symbols such as the parrot which represents the Virgin Mary. It is an implication that Mary is going to bring Christ into the world and reverse the effects of sin that Eve has brought on Earth. Another symbol here is the goat standing on the very top of the mountain in the background. The goat is carefully balancing, looking as if it is about to fall off. This is a representation of the fall of Adam and Eve. They are about to give into temptation and take the fruit of the tree, and therefore become unholy.        

            Along with many other works by Dürer, this piece is a classic example of European art and he is still praised to this day for his astounding work. Some even said that he was immortal. He was a well-educated artist who was aware of his talent and assumed the divine power as an artist. The earlier invention of the printing press is one reason why Dürer became so popular. His work was duplicated and copied, making it more affordable for people all over the world to buy.