Download Ch17_1 Birthplace of the Renaissance

Italy: Birthplace of the
Renaissance
Ch.17
Section 1
Setting the Stage

During the late Middle Ages, Europeans
suffered from both war and plague.
 Those that survived, questioned the Church
and also the structures of medieval society
that blocked social advancement.
 Many began to look to the classical past for
ideas.
Italy’s Advantages

The years 1300 to 1600 saw an explosion of
creativity in Europe called the Renaissance.

Rebirth of art and learning

Began in Northern Italy and later spread
North.
 Italy had three advantages that fostered the
Renaissance:



Thriving Cities
Wealthy Merchant Class
Classical heritage of Greece and Rome
Urban Centers (Thriving
Cities)

Overseas trade led to the growth of large
city-states in Northern Italy.
 Since cities are often places where people
exchange new ideas, they were an ideal
breeding ground for an intellectual
revolution.
 Due to the plague, the reduced population
minimized business opportunities and
wealthy merchants began to pursue other
interests, such as art.
Merchants

Merchants were the wealthiest, most
powerful class and they dominated politics.
 Unlike
Nobles, merchants did not inherit
social rank. Success in business depended
mostly on their own wits.
 Individual achievement was to become an
important Renaissance theme.
Classical Heritage

Renaissance scholars looked down on the
art and literature of the Middle Ages.
 They wanted to return to the learning of
the Greeks and Romans.
 One reason the Renaissance began in Italy
is that artists drew inspiration from the ruins
of Rome that surrounded them.
Classics Lead to Humanism

The study of classical texts led to
Humanism, which focused on human
potential and achievements.
 Instead
of trying to make it agree with Christian
teaching like Medieval scholars, humanists
studied them to understand ancient Greek
values.
 Made popular the study of subjects such as
history, literature and philosophy which are
called Humanities.
Enjoying Life

Humanists suggested that a person could
enjoy life without offending God.
 In
Renaissance Italy, the wealthy openly
enjoyed material luxuries, fine music and tasty
foods.

Most people remained devout Catholics,
however, the basic spirit of Renaissance
society was Secular -- concerned with the
here and now.
Renaissance Revolutionizes
Art

As the Renaissance advanced, artistic
styles changed.
 New Techniques:
 Sculpture
was made more realistic by carving
natural postures and expressions that reveal
personality.
 Artists rediscovered the technique of perspective,
which creates the appearance of three
dimensions.
Renaissance Artists

Michelangelo


Leonardo da Vinci


Most famous for the way he portrayed the human body in painting
and sculpture.
 Painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
 Sculpted David, the Biblical hero. 18’ tall.
Famous for his portrait of Mona Lisa and his religious painting,
The Last Supper.
Raphael


Learned from studying Michelangelo and Da Vinci
Greatest Achievement: Created a series of paintings done on
wet plaster for Pope Julius II.
Renaissance Changes
Literature

Renaissance writers wrote in the Vernacular,
instead of Latin.
 In addition, they wrote either for self-expression
or to portray the individuality of their subjects.
 Machiavelli (Famous Writer)

The Prince, by Machiavelli, examines the imperfect
conduct of human beings.



“The end justifies the means” is one of the most well-known
lines from his political guidebook.
Best remembered for his defense of lies and trickery in
order to be successful.
The word Machiavellian describes any crafty or deceitful
action used for one’s own advantage