Religion and Reformation

northern European art was drastically changed by the Protestant reformation, which was largely attributed to Martin Luther and his epic literary works. early sixteenth century Europeans were growing highly intolerant of the roman catholic church's exorbitant financial spending habits and blatant disregard for their religious responsibilities. numerous Christians felt spiritually abandoned and sought new forms of religious devotions (such as taking holy pilgrimages.) an increasingly agitated Luther violently penned out his outrages towards the pope and the catholic church causing mass spiritual hysteria. the church lashed back shouting heresy and unsuccessfully attempted to convict Luther. persistently he continued his writings against the church and soon (with the help of the fifteenth century invention of the printing press) started spreading the abuse of the church, causing a split from some catholics into protestants. the artwork of the early sixteenth century soon started evolving as well. artwork (except those commissioned by the catholic church) no longer centered around religious imagery. subjects now started focusing on the more disregarded matter (backgrounds, such as nature scenes and landscapes) and also started integrating the newly birthed written word. again the invention of the printing press contributed, manufacturing copies of prints that educated masses, but it also, like many things, had a dark side. printmaking became a source of propaganda (then dominated by battling religious faiths.) Catholicism was not unfamiliar with the ruthless and wicked; however, a mentally strained Luther became obsessed with overturning the staple of the catholic church and became overbearing and often dramatically inaccurate. with this constant struggle of wills, art became a new expression, one that would soon incorporate propaganda as well.