Chapter 20: Piety, Passion and Politics 15th Century Art in Northern Europe and Spain ?Consider the Nut? Properties of an average nut -small (devotional items) -textured (minute detail) -hard to crack (symbolism) -full of rich meat (prosperity and message) -oils (oil paint) Things to Know for Did not have classical antiquity as inspiration More of an extension of Gothic art Interest in symbolism Also interested in observing nature Women painters have higher status Should not be considered an appendage to Italian art. But, Italian influence was strong. Painting in OIL, developed in Flanders, was widely adopted in Italy. The differences between the two cultures: ITALY - change was inspired by humanism with its emphasis on the revival of the values of classical antiquity.