RENAISSANCE REBIRTH A period of great intellectual and artistic
creativity
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Introduction The Renaissance is often considered one of the
great turning points in the history of Western Civilization. It
featured a new interest in learning about the classical
civilizations of Greece and Rome.
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The Big Questions: What was the Renaissance and why did it
happen? What were some of the new ways of thinking during the
Renaissance? Who were some of the key people and contributions of
the Renaissance?
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Background The Renaissance began in Italy Location centrally
located in the Mediterranean Sea region As trade increased, Italian
cities became centers of banking, commerce, and industry Merchants
and nobles acted as patrons Supported artists, writers, and
scholars Powerful leaders (because no single ruler had united the
Italian peninsula)
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Characteristics of the Renaissance Secularism (non-religious)
increased as people began to show greater interest in this world
rather than the here after Reason used observation and experience
to explain the world rather than Christian teachings Humanism
emphasized dignity, worth, and uniqueness of individuals. (man is
the focus of all things) Christian Humanism a movement in northern
Europe that promoted reason through Christian teachings
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Impacts of the Renaissance Artistic Intellectual Political
Economic Science and Technology
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ARTISTIC: Art before the Renaissance was greatly influenced by
Byzantine styles Highly decorative Flat and not life-like Figures
floated in space without shadows Sized of figures were based on
importance, not where it was placed in the picture Renaissance art
featured new depth, dimension, and perspective
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Painting and Sculpture Early Renaissance Artists Giotto
(1267-1337) used scenes with figures in lifelike space, realistic
shading, showed emotion and gestures, and figures receding in space
grew smaller Massacio (1401-1428) used perspective (guidelines to
calculate how things recede in the distance) and other realistic
effects
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Masters of the High Renaissance Leonardo Da Vinci Michaelangelo
Rafael Donatello AKA: NINJA TURTLES
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Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) The epitome of the Renaissance
Man Painter, sculptor, inventor, scientist Dissected human bodies
Kept a notebook of designs (machine gun, helicopter, etc.) Last
Supper, Mona Lisa
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Michaelangelo (1475-1564) Sculptor and artist Paintings and
statues were startlingly realistic David, Pieta, ceiling of the
Sistine Chapel
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Rafael Donatello
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Architecture Studied ruins of buildings from ancient Rome
Abandoned Medieval styles (pointed arches, ornamentation) Used
columns and circular arches of the classical period Demonstrated
technical achievements of applying reason One of the most famous
architects was Filippo Brunelleschi
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Intellectual Impact Scholarship and Literature Petrarch the
Father of Humanism: collected and studied ancient texts Erasmus
questioned the Church and used satire to criticise More authors
wrote on secular (non-religious) subjects Boccaccio wrote in the
Italian vernacular (local language, not Latin) Rabelais (French),
William Shakespeare (England), and Cervantes (Spain) also wrote in
their native languages Writers described the dignity of man,
pleasures of the senses, and instructed nobles in how to behave at
court
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Intellectual Impact continued... Science and Technology
Copernicus a polish scientist, concluded that the Earth orbited the
sun. His work was banned by the Church (Church taught that Earth
was the center of the universe) Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italian
scientist, studied motion and laid the foundation for modern
physics. Observed the heavenly bodies with one of the first
telescopes and wrote about his belief in Copernicus theory. Was
charged by the Catholic Church, ordered to appear before the
Inquisition in Rome, was found guilty and confined to his home
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Gutenberg and the printing revolution Johann Gutenberg (German
printer) Developed a printing press with moveable type Moveable
type, a special press, and oil- based inks allowed the mass
production of printed books Encouraged the spread of new ideas
Increased literacy
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Political Impact Machiavelli a courtier and politician in
Florence Wrote The Prince a guidebook in how to secure and maintain
political power Argued that the most successful rulers were not
those who acted according to laws or conscience, but those who were
willing to do whatever was necessary to hold power (the end
justifies the means) Wealthy Italian city-states, weakening of the
Church, and reasoning of writers led to the concept of reason of
state Rulers collected taxes, raised armies, hired professional
soldiers, and exchanged ambassadors
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Economic Impact People wanted to improve their material
conditions Wealthy accumulated luxury goods Increased trade in a
greater variety of products (clothes, foods, wines, and
furnishings) Continued growth of cities
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LEFT SIDE ACTIVITY Pretend you are an Italian Doge (noble
leader of a city-state). You are wanting to become a patron. Create
an advertisement seeking an artist, architect, etc. to work for
your family. Be specific about what you want this person (or
people) to accomplish.
