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The Renaissance The beginning of the Modern Period
“renaissance” means rebirthThe Renaissance began a period of renewed interest and engagement with “classical” (Greco-Roman) learning, culture, literature, art, architecture, values, style, etc.
Major Themes of the Renaissance Humanism (both secular and religious)
Stressed human potential, human progress, expansion of human knowledge
Secularism-greater emphasis on non-religious values, pursuits, and interests
Individualism-focus on the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of the individual person
Major Historical Movements of the Renaissance Age of Exploration
(Period of European Expansion) Protestant Reformation and the
Religious Wars Scientific Revolution-
Rise of Modern Science The Rise of the Modern Nation-State
Background of the Renaissance- High and Late Middle Ages
What happened during the period of the High and Late Middle Ages that prepared the way for the Renaissance?
Increased trade and commercial activity during the High Middle Ages
Urbanization-growth of cities and towns Commercial and business developments (banking) Middle class merchant elite developed Decline in feudalism A decline in the Church’s hold and control on
society and government Growth in vernacular literature/growing literacy Rise of universities and the expansion of learning
The Birthplace of the Renaissance The city-states of Northern Italy Florence was the center of the Renaissance Italy was politically fragmented and the city-states
often fought for power and control City-states came to be ruled by wealthy and
powerful business people (not necessarily nobility) Signori- (despots) oligarchies (group of individuals) maintained
order
The Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance
Involved the city-states of northern Italy and Rome Florence Venice Milan Pisa Sienna
The Italian Renaissance tended to be more secular with a greater emphasis on worldly pursuits the humanities the arts
Wealth and power Knowledge was the key (classical knowledge)
The humanities
Florence
Major center of
trade
banking
cloth production-wool and silks
the arts
The Medici family of Florence The most powerful family of the Italian
Renaissance Came to power through business dealings and
banking Bankers of the Vatican and the papacy Spent tremendous amounts of money supporting
the arts and cultural development (patrons) as well as science
Medici power often involved corruption and intrigue
The Medici Family
Medici Pope
“The Journey of the Magi” depicts the Medici family in procession -Celebration of Medici power and influence
Italian Renaissance Literature
Petrarch- the “father” of Renaissance humanism The Italian poet,
Petrarch
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)The Prince Machiavelli was from Florence Well educated in the classics Career was in public service and he eventually
served as the ambassador to France Favored republican rule over despotism Machiavelli was tortured and imprisoned for a
time when Medici rule was reinstated after a conflict with a Spanish mercenary army
He retired to the country and wrote The Prince
The Prince Written in Italian (not Latin) Observations and commentary on political rule and power
(Medicis) Addressed the issue of effective rule
How to gain and maintain order and control Stressed the practical (pragmatic) over the ethical or
moral More secular and humanistic
Challenged the idea of a social order based on God’s will Political science-
Politics was to be governed by its own laws “…it is safer to be feared than to be loved…”
The Courtier by Castiglione 1528 Written in Italian Treatise on the training of young men in the
courtly ideal of a Renaissance gentleman Stressed the value of education and manners Influenced social mores and norms during the
period
Renaissance Art A reflection of Renaissance ideals and values
Emphasis on the classical style and classical themes
Humanistic - with an emphasis on the individual
Religious art remained very important
Characteristics of Renaissance ArtRealism- three-dimensional
Balanced and ordered-
geometric /mathematical balance
Portraits- focus on the individual person
Landscapes and attention to depictions of nature
Classical style
Depiction of classical themes, stories, characters
Humanism: The School of Athens by Raphael- a celebration of classical learning
Individualism –Portraits -portraits celebrated the unique qualities and personality of the individual person (two examples by Leonardo da Vinci)
Secularism-non-religious- Botticelli’s Primavera (Spring) Renaissance art often depicted stories and scenes from classical literature
The Birth of Venus
Religion remained a major focal point of Renaissance art -The Sistine Chapel-Michelangelo
Michelangelo’s Pieta
Michelangelo’s statue of David
Raphael
Raphael
Printing Press 1455 Moveable type printing Developed in Germany Associated with Gutenberg 1456 the first Gutenberg Bible was printed Printing press allowed for the spread of
knowledge and ideas throughout Europe
The Clock The idea of quantification developed The universe came to be conceived in more
quantifiable terms (measurable terms) Allowed for more precise measurements Changed the focus of daily life which had
been guided by the rhythms of the Church
The Renaissance brought a new way of thinking and living to Europe
A new worldview was emerging
The medieval Christian worldview was giving way to a more MODERN (secular and humanistic) view of the world and humanity