Pastoral Symphony, by Titian
-Pastoral symphony, Titian, oil in canvas , venetian renaissance
-Titian was an incredible colorist who perfected the oil on canvas mode of painting established by Giorgione
 like other Renaissance artists, Venetian Renaissance artists were influenced by classical art and used many of the same classical devices - such as pyramidal composition, one point and atmospheric perspective, modeling, contrapposto, etc. They  were influenced by humanism and neoplatonism and fused their naturalism with idealization in order to elevate their subjects....just like High Renaissance artists in other parts of Italy!
Venetians emphasize light and color (colorito), tend to depict arcadian landscapes, classical nudes (subject), images of pleasure, and to create works that are more about mood than narrative. Some of you even pointed out that they often used oil paints and the velatura technique.These are important aspects of Venetian Renaissance STYLE.
we study Venetian Renaissance art separately due to its unique cultural and geographic situation.  The Venetian Renaissance artists lived on an urban island surrounded by water and reflected light. They were removed from Rome & the Pope and Venice was a cosmopolitan and worldly trade center, etc.
Prime characteristics of the Northern Renaissance style are:
1.) high level of crisp detail - rich colors and textures
2.) use of symbolism or iconography throughout the painting
3.) Secular (i.e. genre scenes and still lives) but often carrying a didactic religious message
4.) Mediums = oil and graphic mediums such as engravings

Cultural Significance:
Here, we are looking for students to describe how the work reflects key themes, events, ideas, etc., influencing artists and reflected in the work of this period..
The MAJOR event influencing Northern Renaissance art is the PROTESTANT REFORMATION (on the exam, if discussing a NR work, you should explain what this is)
The symbolism in the works often convey Protestant messages - work ethic, living a balanced life, translating the words in the bible for one's self, etc.
If you are discussing a print, such as Durer's Fall of Man, you should also mention the invention of the printing press.
Another way of discussing a work's cultural significance is by briefly describing how well it fits into its respective period style. You wouldn't go into as much depth as if you were discussing the work's stylistic significance, but you could briefly discuss how the image shows the key themes that artists were interested in - i.e. genre scenes that use iconography to convey didactic messages and so on...
For example, Durer's Fall of Man conveys the message that Protestants should be surefooted (like the goat), and that they should not listen to false prophets (like the parrot). He seems to be saying that rather than parroting what the Popes and priests do, people should interpret the bible for themselves.

BTW ~ this work also shows the new importance of graphic arts in the Northern Renaissance - influenced by the invention of the Printing Press, which could be used to print multiple copies of engravings.

So, this work is culturally significant because it:
1 - reflects the influence of the Protestant Reformation
2 - reflects Northern Renaissance artists tendency to use printmaking, spawned by the invention of the printing press.