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The Renaissance The beginning of the Modern Period
A period of transition
Two Major Divisions of the Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance (occurred first)
Focused on the city-states of northern Italy and Rome
The Italian Renaissance tended to be more worldly with a great emphasis on secular pursuits, the humanities, and the arts
Wealth and power Knowledge was the key
Often called the “Father” of Renaissance humanism The Italian poet,
Petrarch
True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.
The Northern Renaissance The Northern Renaissance occurred later
England Spain France Germanic regions (Holy Roman Empire) The Netherlands
Was decidedly more religious than Italian
Northern Renaissance The spread of the Renaissance was delayed in
Northern Europe War and political unrest
Hundred Years’ War War of the Roses in Britain
Plague and famine
“renaissance” means rebirthThe Renaissance began a period of renewed interest and engagement with “classical” (Ancient Greece and Rome) learning, culture, literature, art, style, etc.
Major Themes of the Renaissance Humanism (both secular and religious)
Human potential, human progress, expansion of human knowledge
Secularism-greater emphasis on non-religious values and concerns
Individualism-focus on the unique qualities and abilities of the individual person
Major Historical Events of the Renaissance Period 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 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) and oligarchies (group of individuals)
maintained order
FlorenceMajor center of trade, banking, cloth production, and the arts
The Medici family of Florence The most powerful family of the Italian
Renaissance Came to power through business dealings and
banking Bank of the Vatican and the papacy Spent tremendous amounts of money supporting
the arts and cultural development (patrons) Medici power often involved corruption and
intrigue
The Medici Family
Medici Pope
“The Adoration of the Magi” depicts the Medici family
in procession -Celebration of Medici power and influence
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
The Renaissance spread to Northern Europe
Focus of the Northern Renaissance The focus of the Renaissance in Northern Europe
was more religious Many sought religious reform and a return of the
Church to its true mission and spirituality Many were highly critical of the worldliness and
corruption in the Church and papacy Northern Renaissance figures believed that
education and literacy were key to social and religious reform
Advocated the translation of the scriptures into the vernacular languages
Desiderius Erasmus –scholar and theologian
The Praise of Folly Criticism of the abuses and
worldliness of the Church and papacy
Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of
Henry VIII- highest political office in England Lawyer and scholar Wrote Utopia – explored the idea of a “perfect”
society Eventually executed by Henry VIII for refusing to
agree to the king and Parliament’s Act of Supremacy
Utopia
Martin Luther Associated with the
Protestant Reformation Critical of Church
corruption and abuses Sought reform Wrote the first
translation of the Bible in German
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
Portraits
Landscapes and attention to depictions of nature
Classical style
Depiction of classical themes and stories
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 Renaissance art often depicted stories and scenes from classical literature
Religion remained a major focal point of Renaissance art -The Sistine Chapel-Michelangelo
Michelangelo’s Pieta
Northern Renaissance Art
Albrecht Durer
Hans Holbein
Bruegel
Major innovations of the Renaissance
Printing Press 1455 Moveable type printing Developed in Germany Associated with Gutenburg 1456 the first Gutenburg 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