The Renaissance 111214 The Renaissance began in Italy

The Renaissance 11/12/14

The Renaissance began in Italy What made Italy so special? 1. Italy was the center of trade between northern Europe and Asia. 2. It was the center of Greco-Roman culture 3. It was the center of the Catholic Church.

The Beginning • The term Renaissance means “rebirth” in Latin • It was the rebirth of art and learning • It was influenced by very powerful and wealthy families such as the Medici Family • The Medici’s were bankers from Florence, Italy • The families gave financial support to various artists.

Characteristics of the Renaissance Humanism (study of classical works) Individualism Questioning Attitude Interest in secular, or non-religious matters • Rise of the middle class (with disposable income) • Great achievements in the arts • •

Humanism • Humanism is the idea that is focused on human achievements and potential rather than religious themes • Focused on the man and his world • Concentrated on everyday human problems and relationships • Humanists focus on pleasure rather than morality

Humanism • The secular nature of humanism, as well as its questioning attitude, often brought it into conflict with the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church and Medieval thinking

Medieval Art vs Renaissance Art can you tell the difference?

Medieval Art • unrealistic • two-dimensional • indicates the importance of the soul over the body

Renaissance Art • Used oil paints • 3 -dimensional (3 D) • Realistic, lifelike, facial expressions show thought, reflect increased knowledge of human anatomy • Full backgrounds show perspective

Renaissance Artists • • Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Raphael Donatello

Leonardo da Vinci • Da Vinci was considered a “Renaissance Man” – He was a painter, sculptor, inventor and a scientist.

The Last Supper

The Mona Lisa

Other Works…

Raphael

Raphael’s School of Athens

Michelangelo David Sistene Chapel

Donatello David John the Baptist

Renaissance Writers • Began to use the vernacular instead of classical Latin • Machiavelli – Was a political philosopher – Wrote The Prince, a guidebook for kings on how to rule their lands – In Machiavelli’s way of thinking, the end justifies the means.

The Renaissance Moves North • Because of the plague and Hundred Years War, it was not until 1450 that northern Europe began to enjoy economic growth that helped support the Renaissance in Italy. • Northern artists and writers imitated Italian styles while adding new methods and ideas of their own

Humanism in Northern Europe • Northern humanists, aka Christian Humanists, stressed education and classical learning in order to be a more pious (devout; religious) individual. • They believed that the revival in learning should be used to bring about religious and moral reform (change)

Erasmus • The most famous Christian Humanist • He wrote The Praise of Folly poking fun at society of the time • He believed that in order to improve society, all people should study the bible because Christianity was more than just ceremonies and rules

Sir Thomas More • Wrote the book Utopia about a perfect society where there is no greed, corruption or war and little use for money. • Ironic because Utopia means “no place” in Greek

The Elizabethan Age • Queen Elizabeth came to power in England in the mid 1500 s. • She was well educated and well –spoken (she spoke French, Italian, Latin, and Greek) • She was a HUGE patron of the arts and did much to support the development of English art and literature

Northern Renaissance Writers • Shakespeare – Best known Renaissance writer (Elizabethan Age) – Between 1590 and 1613 ( __ years), he wrote 37 plays that are still performed around the world today

Northern Renaissance Writers • Miguel Cervantes – Wrote Don Quixote, considered the first modern European novel

The Printing Press • In 1456, Johann Gutenberg printed the Bible using moveable metal type on a machine called the Printing Press Prior to the printing press

Effect of the Printing Press • Printed books became cheap and easier to produce that hand copies • Now readers gained access to a broad range of knowledge (from Medicine to Religion) • The Printing Press greatly contributed to the Protestant Reformation and to the age of Exploration