International Gothic (style)
Painting style widespread in Europe of the 14th and 15th century. Its roots are came from the French Gothic art (especially illuminated manuscripts) and is characterized by sophisticated and elegant forms, graceful ripples of clothes, colors that remind jewelry and naturalistic detail. Examples of the International Gothic style are the retampl of Melchior Brederlam in Dijon (which owes much to the influence of the School of Siena and Simone Martini in particular who had worked in Avignon) and Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Beri of Limbourg Brothers (also from Burgundy). In Italy, this style, which flourished with the work of Gentile da Fampriano and Pizanelo, coexisted for some time with the new realism of Masaccio. Germany, Bohemia and Spain are areas where the International Gothic style flourished. A variant, that usually refers as Soft Style and is characterized by gently streamer clothes and sweetness of sentiment, holds an important position in the German painting and sculpture of that time (mostly known as Schone Madonnen = Beautiful Virgins depictions of the Virgin with the infant).