This class we discussed the Portinari Altarpiece and its many symbols and hidden meanings. I thought it was interesting how the artist made many small details to add depth and symbolism to the piece. The shoe for example, represents the sacred ground the people were on. Also, the colors of the flowers representing royalty (blue), purity (white) and passion (red). We also discussed some similarities between northern and southern Renaissance art. One being how both were making art more realistic, and they were able to do that will oil paints. It is more clear which pieces were made during what period just by looking at the attention to detail and the depth of the painting. Also, both the north and south had a common understanding of the purpose of the altarpieces and that was to being heaven and spiritual world to the “here and now”. They extended the church space into the holy world, allowing a more earnest prayer . They also had differences in the way the altarpieces were displayed, from the richness of the paint and and the emotions provoked. Northern art tended to be more emotional, detailed and used richer colors of red. Southern art was more heavenly, not so somber and gruesome and had a more blueish tone.