The

Renaissance

The term Renaissance means rebirth and is used to denote the period of European

history dating from c. 1350 – 1600.The era was

distinguished by renewed interest in:learning

the individualthe natural world

During the middle ages Find God Prove pre-

conceived ideas During the

Renaissance Find man Promote learning

"The Renaissance gave birth to the modern era, in that it was in this era that human beings first began to think of themselves as individuals. In the early Middle Ages, people had been happy to see themselves simply as parts of a greater whole – for example, as members of a great family, trade guild, nation, or Church. This communal consciousness of the Middle Ages gradually gave way to the individual consciousness of the Renaissance."

– McGrath, Alister, In the Beginning, Anchor Books (2001), p.38.

The Renaissance originated in Italy for a variety of reasons.It had been the center of

Roman civilization. Nostalgia for lost glory.Feudalism was not as firmly entrenched there.

Rising middle class.The people were in contact with many

cultures. Greek scholars had fled to Italy.Economic prosperity

encouraged artistic endeavors and

intellectual progress.Major Italian city centers of the Period:Venice: Republic ruled by an oligarchyMilan: controlled by the Visconti and Sforza familiesFlorence (Tuscany): Republic ruled by the MediciPapal States: Ruled by the PopeKingdom of Naples: Ruled by the King of Aragon (Spain)

FlorenceMedici's—family of physiciansMoney in bankingFinanced wool tradeBecame de facto rulers of Florence

Cosimo de MediciAdvanced arts and educationPiero de MediciContinued father’s tradition of patronage of the artsLorenzo de MediciPoetFriend of MichelangeloRebuilt University of PisaContinued to invite scholars to FlorencePiero de MediciMade military and commercial concessions to FranceMedici’s forced out of the city

SavonarolaFriar who decried money, powerGained power in lower class, but lost pope’s supportExcommunicated and hung

Pico della MirandolaClose friend of Lorenzo MediciBrilliant and well educatedWrote set of 900 theses to cover all knowledgeBelieved human learning was based on basic truths

Wrote On Dignity of Man

Humanism Pursuit of individualism

Recognition that humans are creative

Appreciation of art as a product of man

Basic culture needed for all

Life could be enjoyable Love of the classical past

Humanism

The study of Classical Greek and Latin texts was the

basis for humanismEarly humanists copied the Classical idea of seeking fulfillment in daily life.This replaces the idea that little comfort should be

expected from the secular world.The belief that each

individual has dignity and value arises from early

humanist writings

Ideal Man

Humanists determined that the ideal person was

one who pursued a variety of endeavors such

as:politicssports

literaturethe Artsmusic

the Sciences

EducationSchools and

universities were established in order to help individuals

achieve the classical idealSubjects taught

included:HistoryPhilosophy

LatinGreek

Early WritingsHumanists wrote about the daily life and feelings

of people.Petrarch is considered the father of humanism

when he states that secular glories do not mean a break with God.

Benvenuto Cellini, a goldsmith and sculptor,

writes one of the earliest autobiographies.

Niccolo Machiavelli writes the first political

science text.

Artistic changes that appear in the Renaissance:

RealismPerspectiveClassical (pagan) themes Geometrical arrangement of figuresLight and shadowing (chiaroscuro)Softening of edges (sfumato)BackgroundsArtist able to live on commissions

Artistic AchievementsHumanist emphasis on individual achievements

spurs artistic attempts.Italian artists express their own values and

emotions in their art.Subjects begin to appear lifelike even though

subject matter remains spiritual in nature.

Secular topics gain acceptance as subjects

New techniques are developed such as:

perspective

anatomical studies and dissections

emotional and performance studies

ArchitectureItalian architects return to classical styles and

avoid the large arches and spires and replace them with columns and domesFilipo Brunelleschi designs and oversees the

construction of the Florence Cathedral (1419-1436 ).The dome of the cathedral will be the first dome

constructed in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire.

SculptureFreestanding marble and bronze statues,

resembling Classical Greek and Roman works, begin to be produced.

Donatello will be the first to cast a large, freestanding bronze statue since the fall of Rome.

Painting

Medieval, symbolic, style of painting replaced by an increasing use of realism.

Realism first appears in the mid 1300s when Giotto shows human emotions in a series of frescoes .

Masaccio uses light and shadow to increase the sense of realism.

Brunelleschi develops linear perspective in 1415.

da Vinci masters the use of realism to display personality traits as well as the thoughts and

feelings of the subjects.

da VinciVirgin of the Rocks1483-86

da VinciPortrait of Cecilia Gallerani (Lady with an Ermine)1483-90

The Last Supper1498

Mona Lisa (La Gioconda)c. 1503-577 x 53 cm

Interior of the Sistine Chapel1475-83, 1508-12, 1535-41

Pietà1499

The Adoration of the Magi (Oddi altar)1502-03

Spozalizio (The Engagement of Virgin Mary)1504

The Granduca Madonna1504

St George and the Dragon1505-06

Spread of the Renaissance

French invasion of Italy in 1494 is the catalyst for the movement of the Renaissance ideas into the

rest of EuropeItalian merchants, bankers, and traders living throughout Europe set lifestyle example that is

copied.European artists travel to study with Italian masters

The printing press allows for the rapid and inexpensive distribution of ideas throughout

Europe.As the Renaissance enters new areas it is changed and evolves.

The Northern Renaissance is more religious in tone and content.

Christian Humanism attempts to expose church corruptions and restore piety. This will lead to the

Reformation