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The Renaissance in Italy
The Renaissance that began in Italy was characterized by an interest in learning
and the arts and a desire to explore the human experience.
The city of Florence was known for its wealth, its beauty, and the creative
geniuses who worked there. What cities today are known as centers of art and literature?
Why do many artists and writers move to cities?
The Renaissance was characterized by creativity, interest in learning, and a desire
to explore the human experience. Spurred by renewed interest in the culture of ancient
Rome, the Renaissance began in the independent and prosperous cities of Italy. At the
heart of the Renaissance was a set of ideas known as humanism.
Complete the chart of main ideas as you read section 1.
Discipline
Renaissance Ideas Prominent People
Painting, Sculpture, Portrayed religious
3.
and Architecture
figures and wellknown figures of the
day; revived 1.
Example of Works
Created life-size
statue of soldier on
horseback
; developed new
techniques to
represent the world
in 2.
ways
4.
5.
6.
Michelangelo
8.
Literature
“How-to” books for Baldassare
those who wanted to Castiglione
succeed in the
Renaissance world
10.
Became court
painter to King
Phillip II of Spain
Dome for the
cathedral in
Florence
Mona Lisa; sketches
of flying machines
and undersea boats
7.
School of Athens;
portrayals of the
Madonna
9.
The Prince
Explain the significance of each of the following as it relates to the Renaissance in Italy.
11. patron
12. humanism
13. humanities
14. perspective
15. In The Prince, Machiavelli advised rulers that it “is much safer to be feared than
loved.”
What did he mean by that?
Do you think political leaders today would be wise to follow that advice?
Lorenzo de Medici gave a helping hand to dozens of famous painters and
sculptors. Michelangelo was a boy of 15 when he arrived at the school that Lorenzo had
established in Florence for sculptors. One day, the boy scrounged a scrap of marble and
carved it into the mask of a mythical figure. Lorenzo passes by as Michelangelo was
polishing the mask. He talked to the boy recognized his genius, and invited him to
become part of the Medici household. For the next four years, the young Michelangelo
lived in he Medici palace while sharpening the skills that would make him one of the
premier artists of the Renaissance.
Humanists believed that it was love of learning that made men and women truly
human. One phrased it this way: “To each species of creature has been allotted a peculiar
and instructive gift. Galloping comes naturally to horses, flying to birds. To man only is
given the desire to learn….For learning and virtue are peculiar to man.”