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Transcript
Renaissance Notes – corresponds with p.37-51 in textbook (~3 days worth of content) Key terms/concepts: 1. What does the Renaissance refer to and why did it start in Northern Italy? a. Medici 2. What themes defined Renaissance thought and artwork? Humanism Christian Humanism Secularism Realism Perspective Vernacular 3. Why were artists such as Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci referred to as Renaissance Men? 4. Why does the Renaissance movement spread northward in Europe? 5. What was so important about the invention of the printing press? Johann Gutenberg 6. Overall, how did the Renaissance fundamentally alter life in Europe? Intro: Discussed previously the stagnation of the Middle Ages time period – almost 1000 years where Europe took steps backwards from the culture, art, and trade of Rome. o Also discussed previously that overarching question of unit is why was Europe able to become the dominant powers that shaped the world – answer to that starts in time period called the Renaissance. o Renaissance is a term that means rebirth, specifically referring to a rebirth or revival of learning. The Renaissance period is roughly the 1300’s – 1600’s, though the middle ages starts and ends at many different times in different areas Ex: Middle ages lifestyle in full swing in Russia well into the 1600s The Renaissance movement begins in northern Italy and over time extends northward in the rest of Western Europe. Starts in Italy for a variety of reasons: o In general after plagues and war, people wanted to celebrate and enjoy life. Previously people taught to live simple lives without ego, only care about god. Now people start to enjoy life more and not be ashamed of this joy Many also began questioning the Catholic Church which had been unable to stop plague, war, and other hardships o Italy experienced a growth of cities well before the rest of the continent o o This in part because Italy was the first region to establish overseas trade again. This due to the Crusades. As a result wealth and new ideas flowed in. Advances like crop rotation, math, and understanding of anatomy huge. Italy hit hardest by the plague Labor shortages resulted in freeing of serfs and higher wages Many moved to cities Cities still though were small (ex: Florence had about 40,000 people) With growth of cities, wealth merchant class emerges Unable to have titles or own huge tracts of land like nobility. Instead used money to finance new ideas, artists, and the plans of kings and the Catholic church. Cities like Florence and Milan became the hubs of the Renaissance movement because they were small and allowed common citizens to participate in government. Merchants only gained power and influence through merit and thus liked to show off – share achievements with other citizens. Best example of Renaissance merchants were the Medici of Florence Banking family that became richest family in Europe Ran Florence indirectly through hired elected officials Were one of largest patrons of Renaissance artists and made much of work available to public So powerful that a family allied with the Pope tried to assassinate two brothers, Lorenzo and Giuliano at mass. Assassins signaled when bell rung for communion, killed Giuliano at the altar. Lorenzo held them off with his sword and survived. Medicis then sought revenge by brutally publically torturing and executing conspirators and hanging them outside church as warning. Finally, during this period there was an increased desire to recapture the glory of Greece and Rome. Helped by discovery of lost manuscripts and Greek scholars fleeing fall of Constantinople in 1453. Every Renaissance thinker and artist were unique, but some distinct and revolutionary changes were prevalent in their work. These themes included: o Humanism: artistic style and movement that stressed individualism, human achievements, history, and classical style. Examples include sculptures cast in greek style or paintings depicting greek, roman history/subjects o Secularism: Previously most art was religious. Art started to be more worldly. Idea/feeling that luxury ok. o Realism: Art depicting how people really look and live. Not just idealist. Brought about in part by better understanding of anatomy and math. Perspective hugely important in this. Ability to make a scene appear 3-d by use of geometry, angels, and shading. o In literature, emphasis on expressing new ideas. Began being written in vernacular which means local languages. Previously all books written only in Latin which was only read by clergy. Allows more spread of knowledge o Christian Humanism was movement mostly in northern Europe. Belief that Christian church didn’t do enough to inspire common people to live good lives. Instead needed education, inspiring art, and that people themselves should study bible, and look for better established order. o Even catholic church became huge patron of art. Probably the most important invention that helped Renaissance ideas spread and fundamentally changed society was the development of the printing press in 1452 by Johann Gutenberg, a craftsman in Mainz, Germany o Previously all books copied by monks. Took roughly 5 months to copy 1 book. Made them hugely expensive and hard to find o Gutenberg took Chinese ideas of moveable block type and paper and combined them with olive oil press. Allowed person to make 500 books in 5 months. First book printed called the Gutenberg Bible o Allowed ideas to bypass church censors. Spread of new ideas. Pamphlets widely circulated and made relatively cheaply o Gutenberg called most important figure in world history in past 1000 years Because of patronage from both church and merchants, Renaissance artists could totally support themselves through work. Previously not the case – as a result artists specialized and quality improved. o A true “Renaissance Man” or “Universal Man” as they were called were talented in many disciplines. Phrase still means someone who is good at everything today. o Leonardo da Vinci best example (1452-1519) Born illegitimate son of country girl, yet still became famous Master of biology, sculpture, linguistics, music, architecture, painting, botany, and inventor. Often dissected cadavers which was illegal to gain better understanding of anatomy – reflected in realism of work Famous painting The Last Supper religious theme but incorporates realism, perspective, and humanism – shows personalities o Donatello Made first male nude, David since antiquity o Rafael Painter, best known work The School of Athens shows classical focus, perspective o Michelangelo Designed st peters dome, painted Sistine chapel, and sculpted David o Thomas Moore wrote book Utopia about establishing ideal society o Shakespeare a writer at end of Renaissance in England – often called Elizabethan Age As mentioned, eventually Renaissance begins to spread further north from mid 1400’s on. Generally this is called the Northern Renaissance and was specifically centered in Flanders (modern day nw france, Belgium, and parts of Netherlands). Also caught on in parts of germany, france, and England. o Spreads because: Hundred Years War ends in 1453, cities finally begin to grow for same reasons as Italy o Cloth industry major business of region – huge money = city growth War between France and much of Italy in late 1400’s caused some artists to flee north for safety. Many northern Europeans traveled to Italy to learn from the best, brought back skills. Northern Renaissance artists especially stressed realism. Writers very much supported Christian Humanism – some even combined classic myths and religious lessons Overall, by the mid 1500’s Europe had changed drastically in a short period of time from what it was in the Middle Ages o Rise in literacy and books cheap o People question established order o Published ideas lead to further discoveries and advancements – snowball effect o The individual gains importance again o Resurrection of Greek-Roman thought and style o Secularism