How did the development of the Renaissance differ between the regions of Europe?

There are several important differences between the
Italian Renaissance and that of Northern Europe.  At the end of the Middle Ages, Italian
towns grew into independent city-states, governing themselves and the surrounding
country.  Spurred by overseas trade, these city states began to grow and huge fortunes
were made by Italian merchants and bankers. Wealthy families, such as the de Medicis of
Florence, began to rule these city states.  The independence of these city states
allowed these rulers to experiment in government and in the world of ideas.  The wealth
of these ruling families allowed them to sponsor artists and writers and pay for statues
and new buildings.  In contrast, the Northern Renaissance developed differently.  In the
Middle Ages, feudalism was more highly developed in Northern Europe than in Italy. The
traditions of chivalry and knighthood were stronger there. Therefore, in Northern
Europe, it was nobles and royalty that had the most power and money.  Kings, queens and
nobles were patrons of the arts there as opposed to wealthy merchant and banking
families in Italy. Learning in Northern Europe centered around royal courts, not the
homes of great families.

In Italy, the work of the artists,
writers and architects that were sponsored by these wealthy ruling families reflected
the ideas of humanism.  Humanists took an interest in the classical writing and admired
the classical culture of ancient Greeks and Romans and stressed the importance of the
individual. It emphasized classical learning and human potential and achievements. 
Northern Humanism differed from Italian humanism.  Northern Europe had fewer large towns
which could act as cultural centers, so the church played a more active role in the
Northern Renaissance. Northern humanists stressed the importance of spiritual life more
than the Italians.  Though Northern humanists studied the classical works of Greece and
Rome, they also learned the Greek and Hebrew language in order to carefully study the
writings and thoughts of early Christians.  Artistic styles also differed.  In the
North, oil based paints were used which dried more slowly allowing colors to be mixed
more easily creating newer, more subtle shades.