Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance
1 2 3
4 5 6 7
Medieval vs. Renaissance Art
Individualism
Stressed personality, uniqueness, genius, and full development of one’s ability
Humanism Study of Latin classics, intellectual movement that focused on human
potential and achievements. Medieval scholars – made classical texts agree with Christian teachings Humanists – studied classical texts to understand Greek values History, literature, and philosophy (Humanities)
Secular Spirit Basic spirit of Renaissance society Worldly rather than spiritual and concerned with the here and now Pope fostered the secularism by supporting artist, writers, and they even
beautified cities Popes became patrons – financially supported artists
Distinctive Features of the Renaissance
Began in Italy, spread to the rest of Europe Italy’s 3 advantages: 1. Thriving Cities
Florence was the preeminent Italian Renaissance City City-States
2. Wealthy Merchant Class Developed in each city-state Medici Family (Florence) Powerful banking family
3. Classical heritage of Greece and Rome Drew inspirations from Roman ruins and studied Latin
manuscripts.
Renaissance starts in Italy
Petrarch (1304-1374)
Father of Renaissance. Known for sonnets (14-line poems)
Desiderius Erasmus (1466?-1536) Christian humanist
Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) Christian humanist Wrote Utopia “Perfect Society”
Humanism
Dante
Divine Comedy – describes his journey through hell, purgatory, and paradise
Wrote in Vernacular, native language instead of Latin Imp. Because more accessible to everyday people
Boccaccio Decameron, tragic and comic views of life Published in Italian, also vernacular
Chaucer “Father of English Literature” First poet to be buried at “Poet’s Corner” in Westminster
Abbey
Renaissance Literature
Johann Gutenberg, German invented Printing Press First book printed was the Bible, 1455 Enabled a printer to produce hundreds of copies of a
single book Books were cheap enough that lots of people could
buy them
The Invention of Printing
Machieavelli (1469-1527) “Political Thinker”
The Prince (Political guidebook that examines the imperfect conduct of human beings)
Keen observer of Italian politics Examines how a ruler can gain power and keep it in spite of his
enemies Still popular because people are interested in getting and
keeping power William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Most famous writer of Elizabethan Age Greatest playwright of all time Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, Taming of the Shrew
Renaissance Literary Achievements
Leonardo da Vinci
Painter, sculptor, inventor, and scientist Painted Mona Lisa and The Last Supper (shows the
personalities of Jesus’ disciples through facial expressions)
Inventions: Alarm clock Parachute Diving suit Submarine Construction Crane
Renaissance Artistic Achievements
Michelangelo
Sistine Chapel (Last Judgment) David
Renaissance Artistic Achievements
Raphael
School of Athens – for Pope’s apartments in the Vatican. Scholars of ancient Greece
Renaissance Artistic Achievements
Perspective: creates the appearance of 3 dimensions. Based on optical illusion. Distant objects are shown as smaller than closer objects.