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