Not East, West, or South.. but Northern Renaissance.

When I think of Renaissance, I tend to think of Italy.  The artists and individuals you tend to hear about during this time period are Italian, which would lead to the generalization.  However, this week in class focused on a Renaissance occuring in another part on the compass, which was in the North.  Albrecht Dürer was somewhat of a phenomenom.  His art and meaning behind his work spoke wonders to the Renaissance occuring around him.  I found his self portraits to be exceptionally mind boggling - the way he painted himself straight on and to appear like Christ was a very career changing painting.  Another aspect of this Renaissance I found to be extremely intriguing was the concept of printing materials.  It never occured to me that these artists only had one original painting, to which only one individual purchased.  In today's society, prints are found all over the world.  In the days of Albrecht Dürer, however, this idea was only first developing.  The printing of his paintings defined him as an artist, an idea that was new at the time.  However, I am extremely please these printings were created and duplicated - otherwise, Starry Night by van Gogh would not be hanging above my bed as we speak :)