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Period: Dec 31, 1395 to Jul 9, 1441
Jan van Eyck
Biorgraphy.
Complete Works.
Jan van Eyck is considered to have perfected the art of oil painting. His techniques using thin glazes, his talents at portraying realism, and his fanatical attention to detail all lead van Eyck to be one of the most sought after portraiters of his time. -
Period: Dec 31, 1400 to Feb 3, 1468
Johannes Gutenberg
Brief Gutenberg Biography.
Gutenberg perfected a printing press by 1450 which made more quick and econopmical book making to occur. This printing press created the ability for a wide variety of people to posses books. Gutenberg put the written word into the hands of many people who would not previously have had the money and status required to own such a thing. -
Dec 31, 1434
Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride
Jan van Eyck, 1434, tempera and oil on panel, 32 1/4 x 23 1/2 in. -
Period: May 21, 1471 to Apr 6, 1528
Albrecht Durer
The Complete Works.
Biography of Albrecht Durer
Durer was a painter, printmaker, engraver, mathematician, and theorist. He was from Nuremberg, Germany. While the majority of Durer's most famous work is in the form of art (woodcuts, engravings, and paintings) he was also a great thinker. Many of Durer's ideas were on par with the greatest minds in history. -
Period: Feb 7, 1478 to Jul 6, 1535
Sir Thomas More
The Works of Sir Thomas More
Biography of Sir Thomas More
Sir More was an opponent to the Protestant Reformation and in particular, Martin Luther. His efforts on behalf of his beliefs garnered him an accusation of treason for which he was put to death. -
Period: Nov 10, 1483 to Feb 18, 1546
Martin Luther
Biography of Martin Luther
Martin Luther was an instigating force in the Protestant Reformation. One of Luther's beliefs that set him against the Church was that the "indulgences" the Church offered for a price were worthless. Luther did not agree with the idea that salvation could be bought or sold. He believed, instead, that only those who were worthy and earned their graces could recieve them. -
Dec 31, 1490
Death and the Miser
Hieronymus Bosch, ca. 1485-1490, oil on oak, 3 ft. 5/8 in. x 12 1/8 in. -
Dec 31, 1496
The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse
Albrecht Durer, ca. 1496, woodcut, 15 1/2 x 11 in. -
Dec 31, 1510
Witches
Hans Baldung, 1510, chiaroscuro woodcut, 15 7/8 x 10 1/4 in. -
Dec 31, 1511
The Praise of Folly by Erasmus
In Praise of Folly.
Folly was the best known piece of work from Erasmus. It is a satiric commentary on the failings of the human spirit, including pomposity, greed, and pride. -
Dec 31, 1513
Knight, Death, and the Devil
Albrecht Durer, 1513, engraving, 9 5/8 x 7 1/2 in. -
Dec 31, 1515
The Garden of Earthly Delights
Triptych.
Hieronymus Bosch, 1510-1515. oil on wood, 7 ft. 2 5/8 in. x 6 ft 4 3/4 in. -
Dec 31, 1515
Isenheim Altarpiece
Musee Unterlinden, Colmar, France.
Matthias Grunewald, ca. 1510-1515, oil on panel, 8 ft. x 10 ft. 1 in. -
Dec 31, 1516
Utopia by Sir Thomas More
Utopia.
Sir Thomas More used Utopia as a biting satire against the European state and politics of his time. Utopia describes an ideal state inspired by the glowing stories of the new world. -
Dec 31, 1517
Ninety-Five Theses by Martin Luther
The Ninety-Five Theses
Martin Luther posted these issues he wished to debate with the Church on the door of a church in Wittenberg. Luther was extremely critical of the Church and believed the faithful could worship without nearly the pomp and circumstance that the Church required of their followers. -
Dec 31, 1526
Erasmus of Rotterdam
Brief information on Erasmus.
Albrecht Durer, 1526, engraving, 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. -
Dec 31, 1530
Sir Thomas More
Hans Holbein the Younger, ca. 1530, oil on panel, 29 1/2 x 23 1/4 in. -
Dec 31, 1533
Portrait of Martin Luther
Biography of Martin Luther.
Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1533, panel, 8 x 5 3/4 in. -
Period: Apr 26, 1564 to
William Shakespeare
Short Biography and Complete Works of Shakespeare.
Shakespeare is arguably on of the greatest writers in history. He was prolific writer of plays and he revolutionised how the theater was seen. He was also a great poet. His effect has been felt through time as his works have been translated into every language and he is one of the best known and recognized writers of all time. -
Dec 31, 1564
Triumph of Death
Pieter Brueghel the Elder, ca. 1562-1564, oil on panel, 3 ft. 10 in. x 5 ft. 3 3/4 in. -
Dec 31, 1566
The Wedding Dance
Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1566, oil on panel, 3 ft. 11 in. x 5 ft. 2 in. -
Dec 31, 1580
Of Cannibals by Michel de Montaigne
Essays by Michel de Montaigne
Of Cannibals was one of a series of essays which Montaigne authored on subjects from custom to the verses of Virgil. -
"Armada" Portrait of Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I
George Gower, ca. 1588, oil on panel, 3 ft. 6 in. x 4 ft. 5 in. -
Hamlet by Shakespeare
Hamet.
Shakespeare's Hamlet is one of his oft-most quoted works. Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's great tradgedies. The play is taken from the history of Denmark and follows the prince through betrayal and failure that leads to the deaths of everyone he cares for and eventually himself. -
Don Quixote by Cervantes
Don Quixote
Cervantes' masterwork was written between 1605 and 1616.
Don Quixote follows the "adventures" of a man who assumes a new identity in order to live the ideals of chivalry. The newly made Don Quixote is joined by his "squire," Sancho Panza. Panzo recognizes the reality of their situations while Quixote sees the fantasy world he so dearly wants to be a part of.