The Renaissance

The Renaissance

A Rebirth of Greco-Roman Humanistic Culture

A Rebirth of Greco-Roman Humanistic Culture

Pre-Video QuestionsPre-Video Questions

True or False• Q: The Renaissance was a period of cultural

rebirth• Q: The leaders of the Renaissance were inspired

by ancient cultures• Q: The study of humanism was important

during the Renaissance• Q: During the Renaissance, painting became

more three-dimensional• Q: The Renaissance began in England

True or False• Q: The Renaissance was a period of cultural

rebirth• Q: The leaders of the Renaissance were inspired

by ancient cultures• Q: The study of humanism was important

during the Renaissance• Q: During the Renaissance, painting became

more three-dimensional• Q: The Renaissance began in England

Intro to the RenaissanceIntro to the Renaissance

• Watch the following video and answer the questions that Mr. Camillo has handed out.

• You will have time to work on the questions after the video is completed.

• Watch the following video and answer the questions that Mr. Camillo has handed out.

• You will have time to work on the questions after the video is completed.

QuickTime™ and aSorenson Video 3 decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Review of the VideoReview of the Video• Renaissance means “Re-birth” of Greco-

Roman humanistic culture.• When Rome fell in 476 AD, the Dark

Ages descended upon Europe, and learning, art, and culture declined.

• This lasted until the 1100s, when the High Middle Ages saw a resurgence in interest of learning, arts and culture.

• Not until the 1300s did the High Middle Ages end, and Europe saw a full-fledged Renaissance of Humanistic activity and thought.

• Renaissance means “Re-birth” of Greco-Roman humanistic culture.

• When Rome fell in 476 AD, the Dark Ages descended upon Europe, and learning, art, and culture declined.

• This lasted until the 1100s, when the High Middle Ages saw a resurgence in interest of learning, arts and culture.

• Not until the 1300s did the High Middle Ages end, and Europe saw a full-fledged Renaissance of Humanistic activity and thought.

Trade with the EastTrade with the East

• The beginning of this re-birth was partly due to the wealth accumulated in Italian city-states through trade with the East -which had accelerated due to the contact with the East in the Crusades.

• This contact allowed the transfer of books, scientific knowledge, goods, ideas, and technological innovations into Europe.

• With its newfound wealth, Italian patrons began commissioning works of art, scholarship, learning, science, and technology.

• The beginning of this re-birth was partly due to the wealth accumulated in Italian city-states through trade with the East -which had accelerated due to the contact with the East in the Crusades.

• This contact allowed the transfer of books, scientific knowledge, goods, ideas, and technological innovations into Europe.

• With its newfound wealth, Italian patrons began commissioning works of art, scholarship, learning, science, and technology.

Decline in Church InfluenceDecline in Church Influence• Church influence in Europe waning• The Church had been instrumental in

ensuring kings’ authority - sometimes by annointing them Roman Emperors or Holy Roman Emperors.

• Now these powerful states protected their subjects, did not need the power of the Church behind them as much. They relied on earthly power.

• For example, by 1215 England limited the role of the monarch to protect his/her subjects’ and nobles’ rights by forcing King John to sign the Magna Carta

• Church influence in Europe waning• The Church had been instrumental in

ensuring kings’ authority - sometimes by annointing them Roman Emperors or Holy Roman Emperors.

• Now these powerful states protected their subjects, did not need the power of the Church behind them as much. They relied on earthly power.

• For example, by 1215 England limited the role of the monarch to protect his/her subjects’ and nobles’ rights by forcing King John to sign the Magna Carta

Secular StatesSecular States• Secular governments run the show• Feudal relationships were outdated and

problematic (see Hundred Years War) and now strong centrally-run States looked out for the welfare of their people.

• Especially since professional, standing armies made up of commoners (not knights or nobles) were most effective on the field of battle, the common subjects of these States became more important

• Normal - rather than noble - humans benefited from this humanist philosophy

• Secular governments run the show• Feudal relationships were outdated and

problematic (see Hundred Years War) and now strong centrally-run States looked out for the welfare of their people.

• Especially since professional, standing armies made up of commoners (not knights or nobles) were most effective on the field of battle, the common subjects of these States became more important

• Normal - rather than noble - humans benefited from this humanist philosophy

Individuality in the Renaissance

Individuality in the Renaissance

• Though the Middle Ages, the Church had a monopoly on spirituality and religion.

• During the Renaissance, though individuals began expressing themselves in ways that moved away from Church teachings, they still remained Christian.

• For example, in 1534, the English King Henry VIII outlawed the Catholic Church and made the King of England the head of the Church of England.

• Though the Middle Ages, the Church had a monopoly on spirituality and religion.

• During the Renaissance, though individuals began expressing themselves in ways that moved away from Church teachings, they still remained Christian.

• For example, in 1534, the English King Henry VIII outlawed the Catholic Church and made the King of England the head of the Church of England.

• If Medieval Europeans thought of life on this earth as a doorway or something to endure on the way to Heaven or Hell, Renaissance Europeans thought of life as more important, something to be celebrated and admired.

• If Medieval Europeans thought of life on this earth as a doorway or something to endure on the way to Heaven or Hell, Renaissance Europeans thought of life as more important, something to be celebrated and admired.

Individuals continuedIndividuals continued

• Writers and Artists used Christian themes in their work, but they were essentially humanists: Dante, Erasmus, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas More, Rabelais

• Many of these authors often wrote in the vernacular - their native, speaking tongue - rather than the traditional Latin taught by the Church.

• Writers and Artists used Christian themes in their work, but they were essentially humanists: Dante, Erasmus, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas More, Rabelais

• Many of these authors often wrote in the vernacular - their native, speaking tongue - rather than the traditional Latin taught by the Church.

Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri• 1256-1321 in Italy• Wrote Divine Comedy in his

vernacular, the Tuscan Dialect, assuming that Italian was good enough to write for everyone!

• (In French, the Italian language is nicknamed “la langue de Dante”)

• By publishing in vernacular, works can be read by a wider audience, and this sets the stage for greater literacy in the future.

• 1256-1321 in Italy• Wrote Divine Comedy in his

vernacular, the Tuscan Dialect, assuming that Italian was good enough to write for everyone!

• (In French, the Italian language is nicknamed “la langue de Dante”)

• By publishing in vernacular, works can be read by a wider audience, and this sets the stage for greater literacy in the future.

DanteDante• Dante called the poem "Comedy" ( "Divine" added

later in the 16th century) because poems in the ancient world were classified as High ("Tragedy") or Low ("Comedy").

• Low poems had happy endings and were of everyday or vulgar subjects, while High poems were for more serious matters.

• Dante was one of the first in the Middle Ages to write about the Redemption of man, a serious topic in the low and vulgar Italian language and not the Latin language as one might expect for such a serious topic.

• Dante called the poem "Comedy" ( "Divine" added later in the 16th century) because poems in the ancient world were classified as High ("Tragedy") or Low ("Comedy").

• Low poems had happy endings and were of everyday or vulgar subjects, while High poems were for more serious matters.

• Dante was one of the first in the Middle Ages to write about the Redemption of man, a serious topic in the low and vulgar Italian language and not the Latin language as one might expect for such a serious topic.

The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy

• Made up of three sections:

• The Purgatorio <---(Purgatory)

• The Inferno (Inferno, or Hell)

• The Paradiso (Paradise, or heaven)

• Made up of three sections:

• The Purgatorio <---(Purgatory)

• The Inferno (Inferno, or Hell)

• The Paradiso (Paradise, or heaven)

Divine Comedy’s ParadisoDivine Comedy’s Paradiso

ErasmusErasmus• 1466? - 1536• Dutch Renaissance writer; nearly 500 learned

men corresponded with him throughout Europe and valued his opinions.

• Criticized Church, but did not dispute doctrine• Wrote in Latin; was a “pure scholar” who did

not take sides in doctrinal issues. • Disputed with Luther (who urged for a reform

of the Church) when he wouldn’t take sides, as the rest of Europe did (We will talk about the issue of the Reformation later - remember Erasmus!)

• 1466? - 1536• Dutch Renaissance writer; nearly 500 learned

men corresponded with him throughout Europe and valued his opinions.

• Criticized Church, but did not dispute doctrine• Wrote in Latin; was a “pure scholar” who did

not take sides in doctrinal issues. • Disputed with Luther (who urged for a reform

of the Church) when he wouldn’t take sides, as the rest of Europe did (We will talk about the issue of the Reformation later - remember Erasmus!)

RabelaisRabelais• Rabelais:. 1483 or 1494-

1553 French Renaissance Writer

• Critical of established authority and stressed Individual Liberty

• Wrote a series of interralated books entited Gargantua and Pantagruel, about a giant and his son

• Rabelais:. 1483 or 1494-1553 French Renaissance Writer

• Critical of established authority and stressed Individual Liberty

• Wrote a series of interralated books entited Gargantua and Pantagruel, about a giant and his son

RabelaisRabelais• His idea of a Utopian ideal and utopian

society from his stories about a giant, Gargantua:

• “All their life was spent not in laws, statutes, or rules, but according to their own free will and pleasure. They rose out of their beds when they thought good; they did eat, drink, labour, sleep, when they had a mind to it and were disposed for it. None did awake them, none did offer to constrain them to eat, drink, nor to do any other thing; for so had Gargantua established it.

• His idea of a Utopian ideal and utopian society from his stories about a giant, Gargantua:

• “All their life was spent not in laws, statutes, or rules, but according to their own free will and pleasure. They rose out of their beds when they thought good; they did eat, drink, labour, sleep, when they had a mind to it and were disposed for it. None did awake them, none did offer to constrain them to eat, drink, nor to do any other thing; for so had Gargantua established it.

Gargantua continuedGargantua continued• In all their rule and strictest tie of their order there

was but this one clause to be observed, Do What Thou Wilt; because men that are free, well-born, well-bred, and conversant in honest companies, have naturally an instinct and spur that prompteth them unto virtuous actions, and withdraws them from vice, which is called honour. Those same men, when by base subjection and constraint they are brought under and kept down, turn aside from that noble disposition by which they formerly were inclined to virtue, to shake off and break that bond of servitude wherein they are so tyrannously enslaved; for it is agreeable with the nature of man to long after things forbidden and to desire what is denied us.”

• In all their rule and strictest tie of their order there was but this one clause to be observed, Do What Thou Wilt; because men that are free, well-born, well-bred, and conversant in honest companies, have naturally an instinct and spur that prompteth them unto virtuous actions, and withdraws them from vice, which is called honour. Those same men, when by base subjection and constraint they are brought under and kept down, turn aside from that noble disposition by which they formerly were inclined to virtue, to shake off and break that bond of servitude wherein they are so tyrannously enslaved; for it is agreeable with the nature of man to long after things forbidden and to desire what is denied us.”

Saint Thomas MoreSaint Thomas More• 1478-1535• Worked in

Parliament and with King Henry VIII after a stint as a Monk.

• Was friends with Erasmus

• Died a Catholic Martyr

• 1478-1535• Worked in

Parliament and with King Henry VIII after a stint as a Monk.

• Was friends with Erasmus

• Died a Catholic Martyr

Saint Thomas MoreSaint Thomas More

• Wrote in Greek and Latin, but also produced English translations of books

• More worked with King Henry VIII 1491-1547 (ruled 1509 -), but was executed for treason when he disagreed with Henry on some matters of state. His last words were: “The King’s good servant, but God’s first.”

• Wrote a book called Utopia a name he gave to an ideal, imaginary island nation whose political system he described in a book published in 1516

• Wrote in Greek and Latin, but also produced English translations of books

• More worked with King Henry VIII 1491-1547 (ruled 1509 -), but was executed for treason when he disagreed with Henry on some matters of state. His last words were: “The King’s good servant, but God’s first.”

• Wrote a book called Utopia a name he gave to an ideal, imaginary island nation whose political system he described in a book published in 1516

Sir Thomas More, UtopiaSir Thomas More, Utopia• An imagined place or thing where

everything is perfect. First coined by Thomas More.

• The opposite is a dystopia, where everything is unpleasant or bad. Usually depicted as a totalitarian government or environmentally spoiled place

• More and Rabelais both wrote about places where there is no oppression and thus total justice and peace.

• PD 7, 3, 5, 8, 2

• An imagined place or thing where everything is perfect. First coined by Thomas More.

• The opposite is a dystopia, where everything is unpleasant or bad. Usually depicted as a totalitarian government or environmentally spoiled place

• More and Rabelais both wrote about places where there is no oppression and thus total justice and peace.

• PD 7, 3, 5, 8, 2

Firenze (Florence)and the Medici

Firenze (Florence)and the Medici

• Intellectual, financial, and artistic center of Renaissance Italy• Called the "New Athens,” since the Medici family

were bankers who were patrons of the arts and Classical ideals

• The Medici were probably the wealthiest family in Europe for a time

• Intellectual, financial, and artistic center of Renaissance Italy• Called the "New Athens,” since the Medici family

were bankers who were patrons of the arts and Classical ideals

• The Medici were probably the wealthiest family in Europe for a time

DonatelloDonatello

• Born in Florence 1386 -1466• He became well recognized for his

creation of the shallow relief style of sculpting, which made the sculpture seem much deeper and realistic than it actually was.

• One of the first masters of the Italian Renaissance, excelling in sculpture in marble and bronze as well as painting.

• Born in Florence 1386 -1466• He became well recognized for his

creation of the shallow relief style of sculpting, which made the sculpture seem much deeper and realistic than it actually was.

• One of the first masters of the Italian Renaissance, excelling in sculpture in marble and bronze as well as painting.

Habucuc or Zucone

Donatello

DonatelloDonatello

• St. George in a niche; shallow relief

• Gives the sculpture a realistic perspective

• St. George in a niche; shallow relief

• Gives the sculpture a realistic perspective

St. George (right)

St. George slaying the Dragon (below)

St. George (right)

St. George slaying the Dragon (below)

Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci• 1452-1519• Leonardo has been described as the

archetype of the "Renaissance man”• What are some characteristics of a

“Renaissance Man?”• He had a seemingly infinite curiosity in

all things, advancing work in geology, astronomy, civil engineering, optics, hydrodynamics, flight, physics, and anatomy.

• 1452-1519• Leonardo has been described as the

archetype of the "Renaissance man”• What are some characteristics of a

“Renaissance Man?”• He had a seemingly infinite curiosity in

all things, advancing work in geology, astronomy, civil engineering, optics, hydrodynamics, flight, physics, and anatomy.

Mona LisaMona Lisa

• As well as a thinker and an inventor, he was a painter

• His most famous work is arguably Mona Lisa…

• As well as a thinker and an inventor, he was a painter

• His most famous work is arguably Mona Lisa…

The Last SupperThe Last Supper

Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci• As an engineer,

Leonardo conceived ideas vastly ahead of his own time.

• He conceptually invented a tank, helicopter, the use of concentrated solar power, a calculator, a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics, the double hull, and many others.

• As an engineer, Leonardo conceived ideas vastly ahead of his own time.

• He conceptually invented a tank, helicopter, the use of concentrated solar power, a calculator, a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics, the double hull, and many others.

Leonardo’s WorksLeonardo’s Works

• Here is a sample of his study of how water circles, or eddies, around obstacles.

• Here is a sample of his study of how water circles, or eddies, around obstacles.

The Annuciation The Annuciation

Leonardo and AnatomyLeonardo and Anatomy

Leonardo’s Vitruvian

Man

Where he studied the proportions of the range of human motion

and body parts

Leonardo’s Vitruvian

Man

Where he studied the proportions of the range of human motion

and body parts

Golden MeanGolden Mean

• This is the ideal ratio or proportion that has been found between two objects, showing the symmetry of the human body, other natural creatures and objects, and in the growth of plants and other organic matter.

• This is the ideal ratio or proportion that has been found between two objects, showing the symmetry of the human body, other natural creatures and objects, and in the growth of plants and other organic matter.

MichelangeloMichelangelo• 1475 – 1564• Most well-known works

include the David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

• Worked in Florence, sculpting the David to reflect the power and determination of Republican Florence that was under constant attack from supporters of the usurped Medicis.

• Now resides, since the 19th century, in the Accademia in Firenze

• 1475 – 1564• Most well-known works

include the David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

• Worked in Florence, sculpting the David to reflect the power and determination of Republican Florence that was under constant attack from supporters of the usurped Medicis.

• Now resides, since the 19th century, in the Accademia in Firenze

Michelangelo’s DavidMichelangelo’s David

• Sculpted out of marble, it is gigantic, standing 14’ 13” tall.

• It was started in 1501 and completed in 1504

• Sculpted out of marble, it is gigantic, standing 14’ 13” tall.

• It was started in 1501 and completed in 1504

Sistine ChapelSistine Chapel• Michelangelo also

worked on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, in Vatican City.

• This chapel, in the official palace of the Pope, is where the College of Cardinals meet to elect a new Pope

• Michelangelo also worked on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, in Vatican City.

• This chapel, in the official palace of the Pope, is where the College of Cardinals meet to elect a new Pope

Church as a PatronChurch as a Patron

• In 1508 Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the vault, or ceiling of the chapel. It took him until 1512 to complete.

• The Church was thus a patron of the arts.

• Raphael (we will talk about him next) was also commissioned to produce tapestries to cover the walls for certain occasions. These tapestries were looted from the Vatican by French armies.

• In 1508 Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the vault, or ceiling of the chapel. It took him until 1512 to complete.

• The Church was thus a patron of the arts.

• Raphael (we will talk about him next) was also commissioned to produce tapestries to cover the walls for certain occasions. These tapestries were looted from the Vatican by French armies.

• The painting was done in fresco - a style of painting used in Roman times and brought back during the Renaissance.

• It is done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or a ceiling so that when the plaster dries, the color becomes part of the plaster.

• The painting was done in fresco - a style of painting used in Roman times and brought back during the Renaissance.

• It is done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or a ceiling so that when the plaster dries, the color becomes part of the plaster.

Raphael

• 1483-1520• Born in Urbino he underwent an apprenticeship in Perugia.

RaphaelRaphael• In 1504, moved to Florence, where he

studied da Vinci and Michelangelo • Known for the grace and perfection of his

paintings, he also worked with Fresco, like this work:

Sybils

• In 1504, moved to Florence, where he studied da Vinci and Michelangelo

• Known for the grace and perfection of his paintings, he also worked with Fresco, like this work:

Sybils

• At the age of 25 he moved to Rome, where he was nearly constantly commissioned by Popes Julius II and Leo X to produce for the Vatican, including the tapestries depicting the lives of Peter and Paul

• Portrait of Julius II

• At the age of 25 he moved to Rome, where he was nearly constantly commissioned by Popes Julius II and Leo X to produce for the Vatican, including the tapestries depicting the lives of Peter and Paul

• Portrait of Julius II

Madonna With the Fish

Saint George and the Dragon

Gutenberg and BooksGutenberg and Books• Many new authors took advantage of the

Gutenberg Printing Press (1439-1450) -named after Johann Gutenberg - which used movable type, making the production of books much easier and much faster.

• Many new authors took advantage of the Gutenberg Printing Press (1439-1450) -named after Johann Gutenberg - which used movable type, making the production of books much easier and much faster.

• The first book to be printed was the Bible - called the Gutenberg Bible.

• By 1500, 220 printing presses had printed over 8 million books.

• The first book to be printed was the Bible - called the Gutenberg Bible.

• By 1500, 220 printing presses had printed over 8 million books.

• …Of course, the Chinese had invented movable type in the 11th Century, but the technology was changing the way Europe transmitted information

• …Of course, the Chinese had invented movable type in the 11th Century, but the technology was changing the way Europe transmitted information

Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli• In 1513 Italy, Machiavelli wrote a book

called “The Prince,” describing how secular government leaders should expand their power.

• His model “Prince” was one who was ruthless, just, and totally in control (not sharing it with Church, of course)

• He sought to explain politics from a realistic perspective. A Realist!

• Ideas like his were spread throughout Europe much quicker than before - especially since they were now being written in the vernacular.

• In 1513 Italy, Machiavelli wrote a book called “The Prince,” describing how secular government leaders should expand their power.

• His model “Prince” was one who was ruthless, just, and totally in control (not sharing it with Church, of course)

• He sought to explain politics from a realistic perspective. A Realist!

• Ideas like his were spread throughout Europe much quicker than before - especially since they were now being written in the vernacular.

This WeekendThis Weekend

• Read the selection from this book, published posthumously in 1532, and prepare for a discussion in class on how Machiavelli urged his “Prince” to gain renown.

• Read the selection from this book, published posthumously in 1532, and prepare for a discussion in class on how Machiavelli urged his “Prince” to gain renown.