16th-Century Northern Europe: Vocab

Question 1

What is a Bildersturm/ Beeldenstorm? Please provide an example.

Answer 1

“Attack on images/statues”; German and Dutch terms, respectively, for iconoclastic outbreaks targeting and destroying religious images (predominately in churches and public places) that occurred in Europe in the 16th century.
EX: Lucas Cranch the Elder, the Law and the Gospel, c.1529, Northern Renaissance (German)

Question 2

What is Engraving? Please provide an example.

Answer 2

A printmaking process in which an image, design, or letters is cut directly into the surface of the printing plate (usually metal, sometimes wood) with a sharp implement called a burin
EX: Albrecht Durer, Fall of Man (Adamn and Eve), c.1504, Northern Renaissance German

Question 3

What is Iconoclasm?

Answer 3

The banning and/ or destruction of images especially religious artworks, often arising from beliefs about the power, meaning, function and purpose of imagery in religion

Question 4

What is Predella?

Answer 4

The base of an altarpiece often decorated with small scenes that are related in subject ti that of the main panel