Religious scholars learned Greek and Hebrew to understand early versions of the Bible.
They determined that the translations were not accurate.
Erasmus
A Dutch scholar, Erasmus, made a Latin translation of the New Testament.
He wrote Praise of Folly.
It attacked corrupt church leaders and practices.
136, Erasmus died in Mainz.
German merchants began to appreciate wealth, beauty, and persoanl improvement.
They became a privileged middle class.
Johannes Guutenberg
1440, Johann Guttenberg developed a printing press.
The press used carved movable and reusable letters.
More books could be printed.
Many people were learning to read.
New ideas were spread rapidly.
1448, Gutenberg published the first mass-produced book: a 1,282 page Bible.
In 1468, Johann Gutenberg died in Mainz, Germany.
Northern European Artists
Northern European artists studied Italian art.
They developed their own style.
They painted Bible scenes and daily life in great detail.
The van Eycks
Jan van Eyck was the founder of Renaissance painting in Flanders and the Netherlands.
He came from a family of [ainters.
Jan and jis brother Hubert Van Eyck discovered new techniques using oil paints.
He used the oil to represent a variety of subjects with striking realism in microscopic detail
By the middle of the 1500s, Jan was the foremost painter of his age.
His style developed from both the realism and the innovations in the use of light.
Jan van Eyck produced paintings for private clients in addition to his work at the court.
1441, Jan van Eyck dies.
