The Italian Renaissance and Beyond: The Politics of Culture, 1350-1550

The WestCHAPTER 12

Florence Cathedral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVgNAlXjnFQStop at 2:15

The Renaissance Republics: Florence and VeniceDynamic political and social life created an environment of competition and freedomDominant patriciates competed for public recognition and fame, through patronageArtistic and scholarly creativity fostered by competition between many patronsCosimo de Medici (1389-1464), Florence's wealthiest and most influential citizen (right)

Princes and CourtiersPatronage confined to prince and his courtThe ideal prince was a paternal figure: warrior, scholar, diplomat and generous patron Evolution of courtly manners based on the need to maintain appearance

GHIBERTI 1378-1455

Bronze Doors, 1424

Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of the Venus, 1480

The Renaissance PapacyThe Renaissance pope was both priest and princeNeed to regain control of the Papal StatePolitical and military adventurism - Alexander VI (r. 1492-1503), Julius II (r. 1503-1513)Transformation of Rome into a cultural capital - Leo X (r. 1513-1521)

Titian. Pope Alexander VI Presenting Jacopo Pesaro to Saint Peter. 1502-1512.

The Contradictions of the Patriarchal FamilyRenaissance ideal of patriarchyFamily was insecure and survival was often tenuous In reality, families were matriarchal - fathers were often absent or remote

Petrarch and the Illustrious Ancients Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374)Distinguished the human reality of the ancients from the ideals of their writingsSaw ancient world as a historically specific time and place, rather than as a repository of timeless wisdomPhilological approach to ancient texts, to discern particular meanings

The Humanists: The Latin Point of ViewA literary movement that resurrected the use of classical Latin Promoted an education that taught critical thinking Organized experience by recovering words, models and categories of classical Latin - the Latin Point of View

Understanding Nature

Humanist science looked to ancient texts, rather than to nature itself, for answersIn astronomy and anatomy, observation of nature provided knowledge that surpassed ancient learningApplication of mathematics, to art, advanced knowledge of opticsUtilization of paper and the printing press from Asia - widened the distribution of new ideas and discoveries

Leonardo da Vinci

David, Michelangelo 1501-04

Sculpture, Architecture and Painting: Real and IdealCreativity fueled by desire to unite the ideal and the natural in artUse of geometry and natural proportions to create harmony - linear perspectiveChiaroscuro (light and shade) - imitation of natural light in paintingNew techniques of oil painting, to create depth

Music of the EmotionsMusical innovation was slower than artistic and literary developmentsOpera - continuous music to accompany a full dramaOpera became popular entertainment

Monarchies: The Foundation of the State SystemEstablishment of professional standing armiesSystematic expansion of taxationElimination or erosion of urban and regional autonomyConstraint of aristocratic and clerical independence

FranceGuarantee of autonomy to French Church opened clerical revenues and offices to monarchs exploitationConsolidation of power over nobilityInstitution of the taille - direct annual tax

SpainCreation of a unified kingdom through dynastic marriages1492: Completion of Spanish ReconquestSuppression and expulsion of Jewish and Muslim minoritiesFinancing of westward exploration to outflank Islamic caliphates and reach Asia

Historical and Political ThoughtKey to understanding lay in the detail of human events

Niccol Machiavelli (1469-1527)

Developed ideas of political necessity and the obligation to preserve the state above all else

Rape of the Sabine Women

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