AP World History: The Italian RenaissancePeriod 3

I What was the Renaissance?

I need to wake

up!

II Why was a Renaissance necessary?In the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, learning was a virtue. Both Greece and Rome achieved a Golden Age in the arts, science, and philosophy. After the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE, Western Europe entered the middle Ages. Feudalism replaced a strong, centralized government. Manorialism replaced a strong economy. Trade was limited. Most people were illiterate. Life largely centered on the Church. Hygiene and medical knowledge was poor, leading to short and difficult lives. A Renaissance was absolutely necessary!

III How did the Renaissance begin?A)The renaissance began in the Italian city-state of Florence.

1. Ancient Roman ruins were a constant reminder of Rome’s former Golden Age.2. Florence and Venice had never stopped trading with the Byzantine Empire or Muslim Arabs during the Middle Ages. This was due to their location near the Mediterranean Sea.3. The Medici family were wealthy Florentine bankers. They used their wealth to finance beautiful sculptures, paintings, and buildings.- funded Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci- developed and funded institutions for scientific study

Maria de Medici

How did the Renaissance begin? Continued…B) A growing middle class had time for the pursuit of

education, the arts & scienceC) Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1445. This

allowed for the faster spread of ideas.

IV Humanism A) Humanism was a philosophy that grew out of the Renaissance. Humanists believed that humans are rational and moral beings.B) Humanists studied classical texts (ancient Greek and Roman)C) Humanists believed in the importance of a well-rounded education, including the arts, science, history, and philosophy.

How was this different from the beliefs of the Church in the

Middle Ages?

Francesco Petrarch “Father of Humanism” (1304-1374)“…His passion to write his thoughts to paper was only overcome by the need to sleep or eat. So great was his desire to write his thoughts and feelings and so difficult was it to find anyone in Europe to match his desire he found himself writing to Cicero, one of the only people he believed really shared his passion. (Cicero was a Roman Poet/Politician that died over 1200 years before Petrarch was born). His writings would go on to influence countless others… Shakespeare would study his works and copy his sonnets... So great were his writings that royalty treated him, the son of exiled nobles, like a king and in a letter to a friend he even goes as far as to say that he has caused his own plague to spread over Europe, one which has caused people to take up pen and paper and write and read.” –www.petrarch.com“Love is the crowning grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty and truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart to life, and is prophetic of eternal good.” – Petrarch, 14th century

V Renaissance Art vs. Medieval ArtMedieval Art Renaissance Art

Religious in theme Some Renaissance art was

religious in theme, but often

would be painted in a classical

style (similar to ancient Greek or

Roman art).

Flat (2-D), abstract. Used perspective (an art

technique that creates the

illusion of 3-D, by making

distant objects appear

smaller)

People were fully clothed. Lack

of detail.

Realistic, detailed. Nudes

and portraits of individuals

became common.

VI Italian Renaissance ArtA) Leonardo de Vinci (1452 – 1519)1. Painter, sculptor, engineer, and inventor.2. Secretly dissected corpses to learn about human anatomy.

Above is a page from da Vinci’s notebook. This is an example of the humanist desire to

unlock the secrets of nature.

“O investigator, do not flatter yourself that you know the things nature performs for herself, but

rejoice in knowing that purpose of those things designed by your

own mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci Continued…Pages from his notebook

Leonardo da Vinci Continued… Vetruvian Man, 1492

Vetruvian Man shows us how Leonardo understood the proportions of the human

body. “Each separate part was a simple fraction of the whole. For example,

the head measured from the forehead to the chin was exactly one

tenth of the total height, and the outstretched arms were always as

wide as the body was tall.” – bbc.com

Mona Lisa, 15th CenturySome art historians believe that it was the portrait of Francesco

del Giacondo’s wife, a Florentine nobleman.

Do you see perspective in this painting? Geometric shapes?

Is it detailed? Realistic?Does it deserve to be so

famous?

Mona Lisa Geometry

Leonardo da Vinci Continued…The Last Supper, 1498

horizontal

vert

ical

Last Supper Perspective

Italian Renaissance Art Continued…

David by Donatello was the first free form

sculpture since Ancient Rome!

B) Donatello 1386 - 1466

Italian Renaissance Art Continued…

Michelangelo was a painter, sculptor, and

engineer.

C) Michelangelo 1475 - 1564

Self Portrait

Michelangelo Continued…The Pieta, 1499

Michelangelo Continued…David, 1504

Michelangelo’s David was displayed in the largest

piazza in Florence. “It took the voice away from statues both ancient and modern” –

Vassari, Michelangelo’s biographer

Michelangelo Continued…David, 1504

Michelangelo Continued…Sistine Chapel, Vatican 1508 - 1512

Sistine

Michelangelo Continued…Sistine Chapel Details

Michelangelo Continued…Sistine Chapel Details

Italian Renaissance Art Continued… D) Raphael (1483 – 1520)

Self Portrait, 1506

Raphael (1483 – 1520) Continued…The School of Athens (1510 – 1511)

Raphael Continued…The School of Athens Details

Raphael Continued…The School of Athens Details

Plato and Aristotle were 2 of the most influential classical

philosophers in history. Plato is pointing to the heavens, which

symbolizes his belief that reality lies beyond the physical world. Aristotle’s hand is towards the

earth, as he disagreed with Plato (his teacher).

Who do you agree with more; Plato or Socrates?

Why do you think that they were the focal point of this painting?

VII Italian Renaissance ArchitectureA) Filippo Brunelleschi 1377 – 1436

Brunelleschi engineered the largest masonry dome in the world for the Cathedral of Florence.

B) Ghiberti – Gates of Paradise, Baptistry Door Florence 1425 - 1452

Italian Renaissance Architecture Continued…

C) St. Peter’s Basilica, Romedesigned by Michelangelo, dome completed 1590

Italian Renaissance Architecture Continued…

St. Peter’s Basilica, Interior Dome

St. Peter’s Basilica Interior

VIII Italian Renaissance LiteratureMachiavelli was a Florentine diplomat and humanist (1469 – 1527). He wrote The Prince, a guide on how to rule. He raised ethical

questions about government and its use of power.

1. “Before all else, be armed.”2. “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be

both.”3. “A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes

caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.”

- Machiavelli

HW Questions1. Why was a Renaissance necessary in western Europe?2. Why/how did the Renaissance start in Florence?3. What was Humanism? How was it related to the Renaissance? 4. How did Italian Renaissance art compare to medieval art? 5. Read about the Italian Renaissance in your textbook. Does the

author have a positive view? How do you know? Do you agree or disagree with how your textbook describes the Italian Renaissance?

6. Do we need a Renaissance today? Explain your answer.

Key VocabularyFilippo Brunelleschi’s DomeLeonardo da VinciDonatelloDonatello’s DavidFlorenceGhiberti’s Gates of ParadiseGutenberg’s Printing PressHumanismMachiavelliMedici FamilyMichelangeloMichelangelo’s David

Mona LisaPerspectivePetrarchRaphaelRenaissanceSt. Peter’s BasilicaThe Last SupperThe PietaThe PrinceThe School of AthensThe Sistine ChapelVitruvian Man