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Italy: The Birthplace of the
Renaissance
Cultural Revivals – 1300-1400s
• CHINA
– Ming Dynasty 1368
– Promotion of Chinese
culture (Mongols expelled)
– Confucian Education
– Yongle’s Encyclopedia
– Zheng He (cultural
exchanges / promoted
Chinese goods)
• WESTERN EUROPE
– Renaissance (Rebirth) in
post-Plague, post-Middle
Ages era
– Artistic, Intellectual,
Creative rebirth
– “Classical” rebirth (Greece
& Rome) in art, sculpture,
literature, philosophy)
– Urban society again
– Strong Political Authorities
(begin looking outward /
exploration)
The Renaissance = “Rebirth”
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Europe had suffered years of war and plague
Many wanted a rebirth in classical culture,
arts, and learning
Italy became the center of the Renaissance
for 3 reasons
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Urban Centers – people exchanged ideas easily in
large cities. The plague stopped many merchant
businesses – many turned to art and learning
Merchants – Wealthy people who dominated
politics.
Classical Heritage – Wanted to return to the
greatness of Ancient Greece and Rome.
Renaissance Values
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Many studied Humanism – focus on human
potential and achievements, not just
Christian teachings
Enjoying worldly pleasures
Patrons of the arts (those wealthy enough
to donate $$ to artists)
Many wanted to become a “Renaissance
Man” (a universal man; one who
mastered every area of study)
Renaissance Artwork
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Realistic styles
Greek and Roman subjects became
popular
Many well-known artists
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Michelangelo – glorified the human body
Donatello – Realistic sculptures with
posture and personality
Leonardo da Vinci – Sculptor, inventor,
interested in how things work
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Well-known works include the Mona Lisa and
the Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
Vanishing Point
• Mastered the technique of a Vanishing
Point – which is a perspective based on an
illusion…
– As parallel lines stretch from the viewer, they
seem to draw together until they meet at a
spot on the horizon
The Sistine Chapel - Michelangelo
Renaissance Sculpture
Renaissance Literature
Niccolo Machiavelli – Wrote The
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Prince
Examined imperfect conduct of humans
Said that most are selfish and corrupt
To be successful, a leader must trick his
enemies and his own people for the good
of the state
Not concerned with morals – but what
was effective