Chapter 15The Renaissanceand Reformation

Section 1

The Italian

Renaissance

An Era of Awakening

In the early 1300’s the Renaissance began in Italy Renaissance, or rebirth, was a philosophical and

artistic movement and the era when that movement flourished

{The Renaissance began in Italy because the Crusades increased trade and brought them in contact with Byzantine scholars (who preserved Greek and Roman ideas) as well as contact with new ideas from Asia and Africa}

Giotto’s Last Judgment from the Scrovegni Chapel in Pauda

The Humanists

In the Renaissance Italian scholars turned to classical Greek and Roman to study humanities (grammar, history, poetry and rhetoric). These scholars were called humanists

{A humanist approach to study included critical analysis of material} everything was meticulously investigated

Humanists believed it was important to understand how things worked, to have an education and to lead a meaningful life.

Most were Catholic who were committed to Christian teachings, sometimes there was conflict between their studies and their religion

Michelangelo’s Pieta

Michelangelo’s Pieta (detail)

Italian Renaissance Writers

One of the first humanists was Francesco Petrarch, a scholar and a poet

{Italian Renaissance writers reflected Greek and Roman teachings} the study of their teachings came to be called classical education

Another humanist, Niccolo Machiavelli, was set apart form other humanists due to his lack of concern for conventional morality. He argued in his essay The Prince that rulers should only be concerned with power and political success

Today some people refer to ruthless behavior to get ahead as “Machiavellian”

Although these two little guys are more popular and widely seen all over novelty items, they are a part of a bigger work. This is Rafael’s Skystynska

Italian Renaissance Artists During the Renaissance, Italian artists created

some of the worlds greatest masterpieces Renaissance painters created realistic scenes and

images. They paid special attention to proper proportions.

Painters used a technique called perspective to make their paintings so lifelike. They made objects in the background smaller in order to give a flat canvas depth

{Some magnificent artists from the Renaissance include Giotto (JAWT-oh), Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rafael and Titian (TISH-uhn}

Titian’s The Assumption of the Virgin

Continued…. Goitto according to legend painted a fly in one of his

paintings that looked so real, an observer tried to brush it off the painting

Leonardo da Vinci was an architect, engineer, painter, sculptor, and scientist. His work is considered superior due to his attention to detail in all of these areas.

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican and sculpted the famous David. He also wrote poetry and helped designed St. Peters Basilica

Rafael was famous for his paintings of madonna's and his depictions of the Virgin Mary

Titian was known for his sense of drama and his use of rich colors. He was commissioned to the Holy Roman Emperor making him one of the first painters to become wealthy from his work

Every one has seen the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper so here are some of my favorite da Vinci works you may not have seen

La Scapigliata Self portrait

Da Vinci’s sketch of a flying machine

Lady with an Ermine

Two grotesque profiles confronted

Review Which approach to study included critical

analysis of material? The Renaissance began in Italy because the

________ increased trade and brought them in contact with Byzantine scholars

Italian Renaissance writers reflected whos teachings?

increased trade and brought Italy in contact with Byzantine scholars (who preserved Greek and Roman ideas) as well as contact with new ideas from where?

The End