Parallel to the paradigm developments of Italian Renaissance Art, the countries across the Alps too, departed from the medieval traditions and developed a new perception of the world. This style won, already in its time, the name of Ars Nova – New Art – whose main characteristic was Realism. Without doubt, one of its main purposes was to cause the viewer a sense of wonder when facing the virtuosity of the artist; however, their aim was not to reconstruct a simple image of the visible world. Underneath the meticulous imitation of the physical objects, the Ars Nova represented the same spiritual concepts of the old world.

This course will examine the New Art from its origin and birth in the Netherlands and its development in the Low Countries, Germany and France in time of great historical developments and changing society. We will discuss the work of prominent artists such as Jan Van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Gerard David, Hieronymus Bosch, and others vis-à-vis the historical events of their time.