The Italian Renaissance Renaissance rebirth Italian Renaissance rebirth

The Italian Renaissance Ø Renaissance rebirth Ø Italian Renaissance rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman worlds Ø Characteristics ØSecular Urban Society (City-States) ØAge or Recovery ØNew view of human ability and worth

Why Italy? Center of the old Roman Empire Ruins and art surrounded the Italians & reminded them of their past Italy’s city-states became very wealthy City-states competed with each other They could pay painters, sculptors, architects, & artists to produce new works Florence, Genoa, Venice, Milan & Rome

Origins of the Renaissance Ø European trade with Asia increased during the 1300’s Ø Italian merchants organized much of the trade Ø Trade cities in Italy grew wealthy Ø The competed to create works that would increase the prestige of their cities Venice Genoa Milan

Italian City States - Not yet the nation of Italy Each Italian citystate had its own wealthy ruler

The Medici family Ø They were the greatest bankers in Florence – Making Florence the banking center of Italy They became Patrons of the Arts Lorenzo Medici represented the Renaissance Ideal – some called Him the Renaissance man Leonard da Vinci – The true Renaissance man –painter, artist, sculptor, humanist, scientist , philosopher, architect, engineer and more Niccolo Machiavelli – The Prince “The End Justifies the Mean” – Rule like a lion to keep peace and stabilize power

Italian Renaissance Humanism Ø Stressed man was center of the universe –Man had dignity and value Ø Humanism-intellectual movement based on the classics Ø Ø Each individual finds the truth for himself One can enjoy life and still be good Christians Encouraged human achievement Study-grammar, rhetoric, poetry, philosophy & the Humanities Ø Goal-Create complete citizens Ø Vernacular Literature – written in common language Ø Petrarch – “Father of Humanism” – recovered works of Greek and Roman writers

Artistic Renaissance in Italy Ø Rome center of Renaissance art in the 1500’s Ø Masters –Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael Ø Fresco – water color on fresh plaster Ø Law of Perspective Leonardo da Vinci Ø Study of Human anatomy Creation of Adam Michelangelo Last Judgement PIETA

Comparison between Renaissance in Northern Europe and Italy NORTHERN EUROPE ITALY Did not study the classics as much Heavy emphasis on reading the classics Art emphasized everyday life in greater detail Artists supported by royalty and nobility Linked with religion although studies of religion led to questioning of church practices Art depicted every day life, but not as detailed Artists supported by wealthy merchant class Not as much emphasis on religious issues humanism very important

The Printing Press Ø Johannes Gutenberg was a German goldsmith and printer Ø Guttenberg 1 st to develop moveable type Ø Allowed for mass production of books Ø Guttenberg was the key figure in spreading the Renaissance Ø His invention of moveable type is considered the most important invention in history

Impact of the printing press Ø Much easier to publish books Ø Increased literacy Ø 1450 -1500 -20 million books printed covering 35, 000 topics Ø Vernacular Literature Ø Written in common language Ø Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare

Contributions of the Renaissance Ø Ø Ø Invention of the Gutenberg Press The banking industry Exploration, colonization of world Expansion of trade Humanism, individual is center of universe Reintroduction of Greek & Roman knowledge and philosophy Ø Gateway to modern art forms Ø Expansion of Greek and Roman architecture & sculpture Ø Increased scientific knowledge, and desire to know more