Download section 1 renaissance

European Renaissance
and Reformation
1300 – 1600
Chapter 1
Section 1
MAIN IDEAS
The Italian Renaissance
was a rebirth of
learning that produced
many great works of art
and literature.
 Renaissance art and
literature still influence
modern thought and
modern art.

INTRODUCTION
Europe had recently suffered
from war and plague.
 Those fortunate enough to
survive wanted to celebrate life.
 People began to question
institutions, including the
Church.
 Changing beliefs and practices
would greatly change how
Europeans saw themselves and
their world.

RENAISSANCE
Renaissance – Rebirth – of
art and learning



Began in Northern Italy
1300-1600 A.D.
Educated men and women of
Italy wanted to bring back the
culture of classical Greece
and Rome.
They ended up creating
something new.



Art, literature, and values.
ITALY’S ADVANTAGES

Thriving cities

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Mainly in Northern Italy – due
to overseas trade
Ideal breeding ground for an
intellectual revolution.
Fewer workers due to the
Bubonic plague.
Killed 60% of population.
Without a lot of business
opportunities, merchants
moved toward other interests,
such as art.
ITALY’S ADVANTAGES
Wealthy merchants

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A wealthy merchant class developed
in each city-state.
The small population of each
allowed for a high percentage of
citizens to be involved in politics.
Merchants, unlike nobles, earned
their power and wealth.

Importance of individual
achievement.
Medici – banking family in Florence.

Cosimo de Medici ruled Florence
as a dictator for 30 years by
handing out loans to the ruling
council, not by seeking political
office.
ITALY’S ADVANTAGES

Classical heritage
 Renaissance
scholars
looked down on the
art & literature from
the Middle Ages.
 Looked instead to the
Greeks and Romans.
HUMANISM

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Intellectual movement that focused on human
potential and achievements.
Came from the study of classical texts.
Humanists did not look at the texts to relate them to
Christianity, but rather to understand ancient Greek
values.
Popularized the study of history, literature, and
philosophy.
WORLDLY PLEASURES
Middle Ages – believed that one
should wear ragged clothing and
eat plain food to please God.
Humanists suggested that people
can enjoy life without offending
God.
Secular – basic spirit of the
Renaissance, worldly and
concerned with here and now.

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Included church leaders, who lived
in mansions, threw lavish
banquets and wore expensive
clothes.
PATRONS OF THE ART



Those who financially
support the arts.
Included merchants,
powerful families, and
even the Church.
To demonstrate their
own importance, people
would have their
portraits painted or
donate art to be
displayed in the public
square.
RENAISSANCE REVOLUTIONIZES ART


As the Renaissance
advanced, artistic
styles changed.
New Techniques


Sculpting statues,
painting important
people, and three
dimensional painting.
Perspective – shows
three dimensions on
a flat surface.
See pages 44-45 for examples of
Renaissance Art.
REALISTIC PAINTING AND SCULPTURE
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Artists focused on painting
prominent citizens, due to
the new focus on the
individual.
Michelangelo used a realistic
style when sculpting,
painting, designing or writing.
Donatello made realistic
sculptures by carving natural
postures and expressions
that reveal personality.
LEONARDO, RENAISSANCE MAN

Leonardo da Vinci
1452-1519
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Painter, sculptor,
inventor, and scientist
“Renaissance Man” =
mastered every area
Studied the human
body
Painted the Last
Supper, Mona Lisa
RAPHAEL ADVANCES REALISM

Raphael Sanzio 14751564
 Studied
Michelangelo &
Leonardo
 Realist
 Often used
perspective
 School of Athens
shows influence of
Renaissance.
RENAISSANCE WRITERS CHANGE LITERATURE

Vernacular – writing in
native languages


Many writers before the
Renaissance used Latin.
Now many writers began to
use their native language.
Wrote to express
themselves or to portray
the individuality of their
subjects.
MACHIAVELLI ADVISES RULERS

Niccolo Machiavelli
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The Prince – a political
guidebook; examined the
imperfect conduct of
humans.
Examined how a ruler can
gain power and keep it in
spite of his enemies.
Believed that a ruler must
be deceitful and strong in
order to do what is good for
the state.