Download Chapter 15: Renaissance: SOL 1.13

Chapter 15: Renaissance: SOL 1.13
General Information:

The Renaissance began in the city states of Italy

The Renaissance was the rebirth of art and learning

The economic foundations of the Renaissance was the patronage of wealthy
merchants.

The Crusades stimulated trade that created the wealthy that supported the
Renaissance.
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Important vocabulary:
o Utopia: an ideal place
o Secular: worldly
o Writing in the vernacular means to write in a local everyday language,
rather than a classical language
o Patron: a wealthy person who supported the arts.
Italian Renaissance:

During this time, the Italian government was characterized by its division
into independent city-states.

All of the following contributed to the Renaissance in Italy
1. A wealthy and powerful merchant class
2. Venice became wealthy due to its position as a trade link between
Europe and Asia
3. Roman heritage in Italy and contact with Byzantine scholars
encouraged their interest in classical traditions.
4. Trade and industry made the cities of Florence, Rome and Venice
wealthy so they could afford to support the arts.
Northern European Renaissance:

Occurred here later than in Italy due to the Black Plague delaying economic
growth.

Artists painted everyday people.
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Chapter 15: Renaissance: SOL 1.13
Humanists:

An intellectual and cultural movement that encouraged the study of classical
Greek and Roman culture.
1. Admired classical culture.
2. Believed that every individual had dignity and worth
3. Believed that people should participate in a variety of activities.

The study of classical texts caused the humanists to focus on human
potential and achievements.

Two famous humanists were
1. Desiderius Eramus: wrote The Praise of Folly
2. Thomas More: wrote Utopia
Printing Press (1500’s)

The first moveable type was developed by Gutenberg in Germany

the first full-sized book printed by Gutenberg was the Bible

the main effects of the printing revolution was
1. the spread of new ideas
2. led to increased literacy
General Information about the Arts:

The artists of the Renaissance focused on humanistic concerns

The Medici family became famous for being rulers during this time and
their support of the arts

Renaissance art gave a more realistic view of people and places than medieval
art.

Renaissance artists focused on realistic anatomical detail

Lorenzo the Magnificent was the most famous patron of the arts.

Perspective: a technique of painting that creates the illusion of depth by
establishing a vanishing point on a horizon.
Renaissance Writers:

Shakespeare focused on human actions and emotions.

Francesco Petrarca: wrote sonnets expressing his love for a woman who died.
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Chapter 15: Renaissance: SOL 1.13

Erasmus:
1. wrote The Praise of Folly which attacked papal corruption
2. was the most influential of the humanists

Sir Thomas More
1. Wrote Utopia which criticized society’s intolerance and violence
2. Born in England
3. Christian humanist

Niccolo Machiavelli:
1. Wrote The Prince
2. Stressed the end justifies the means
3. Argues a ruler should do what ever it takes to get and keep political
power
4. It is better to be feared than loved
Artists:

Leonardo da Vinci:
1. Was a painter, sculptor, inventor, and scientist
2. Used science and math to improve his painting
3. Paintings: Last Supper and Mona Lisa

Michelangelo
1. Sculpted the Pieta and the David
2. The Pieta showed his attention ot realistic anatomical detail
3. Created sculptures of biblical figures
4. Painted frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
5. Designed St. Peter’s Basilica

Albrecht Durer: an engraving entitled Knight, Death, and Devil

Raphael
1. Commissioned by Pope Julius II
2. Created Madonna’s (paintings of the Virgin Mary and child)
3. Paintings: Madonna of the Meadow and Madonna and Child
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