ARTH 102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: Konrad Witz, Michael Pacher, Ghent Altarpiece
Document Summary
Present-day germany and switzerland were situated within the holy roman empire, a loose confederation of primarily german-speaking states. Artisan guilds grew powerful and trade flourished under the auspices of the hanseatic league, an association of cities and trading outposts, stimulating a strengthening of the merchant class. The fugger family, for example, began their spectacular rise from simple textile workers and linen merchants to bankers for the habsburgs and the popes. Germanic fifteenth-century painters worked in two very different styles. Cologne, continued the international gothic style with increased prettiness, softness, and sweetness of expression. Other artists began an intense investigation and detailed description of the physical world. The major exponent of the latter style was konrad witz (active 1434 1446). A native of swabia in southern germany, witz moved to basel (in present-day switzerland), where he found a rich source of patronage in the church.
