THE RENAISSANCE

An Introduction

Q U E S T I O N S T O C O N S I D E R …

What does the word ‘renaissance’ mean?

Where did the Renaissance begin?

Why did the Renaissance begin?

How do we know about the

Renaissance?

BACKGROUND

During the Renaissance there was a rebirth of

learning and art throughout much of Europe.

The Renaissance began during the late Middle

Ages.

It lasted from approximately 1450 to 1650.

It began in Italy and spread to other northern

European countries.

RENAISSANCE BEGINNINGS IN ITALY

During this time Italy had been the home of the

ancient Roman civilisation.

Roman ruins such as the Colosseum inspired some

Italians to learn more about ancient Rome.

The Italian language is based on Latin, which made it

easier for Italians to study the manuscripts of ancient

Roman writers such as Cicero and Julius Caesar.

Italy was divided into several city-states.

Can you name any of these places?

The rulers of these city-states wanted to show off their great

wealth and were very interested in the arts.

They employed famous artists, sculptors and architects to decorate

their various palaces and towns.

These wealthy rulers were know as patrons of the arts.

Their support of the arts and the artists was vital to the

Renaissance.

CAN YOU NAME THESE CITIES?

SUMMARY

Why did the

renaissance

begin in Italy?

Ruins of

Ancient Rome

Wealth of

Italian rulers.

City-states

MEDIEVAL VS RENAISSANCE

MEDIEVAL ART

RENAISSANCE ART

LEONARDO DA VINCI1452-1519

Leonardo da

Vinci (1452-1519)

inventor

painter

All-round genius

THE VIRGIN ON THE ROCKS

THE LAST SUPPER

THE MONA LISA

WHO IS THIS??

LEONARDO’S MIRROR WRITING

RENAISSANCE SCULPTURE

Renaissance

Sculpture

Usually statues or upon flat surfaces. Images

from the Bible or

Greek/Roman

Legends.

Very realistic.

Michelangelo and

Donatello are

examples of famous sculptors.

MICHELANGELO

THE PIETA

DAVID

ST. PETER’S BASILICA

THE CREATION OF ADAM

THE SISTINE CHAPEL

THE RENAISSANCE OUTSIDE OF ITALY

The Renaissance spread to England,

France, the Netherlands and Germany from

1500 onwards.

This is often known as the Northern

Renaissance.

Artists from these countries visited

Italy to see what the Italian artists were

doing.

They worked with the Italian artists

and began to learn new skills.

These artists were able to bring these

skills back home.

THE ARNOLFINI WEDDING POTRAIT ( JAN VAN EYCK)

THE NIGHT WATCH (REMBRANT VAN RI JN)

RENAISSANCE LITERATURE

The importance of

printing

Cheaper Books were

made available. New Ideas

spread quickly through reading these books.Standard

versions of European languages emerged.

More people now wanted to learn to read and

write.

Books and documents were first written in

Latin.

But most people could not understand

Latin.

When printing was invented, printers

wanted to make more money by selling more

books.

They decided to print books in the spoken

language of the people.

This process was known as printing in the

Vernacular.

THE RENAISSANCE PRODUCED MANY GREAT VERNACULAR WRITERS…

PETRARCH

CERVANTES

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE