1. The Northern Renaissance
Chapter 1 Section 2

2. Main Ideas
In the 1400s, the ideas of the Italian Renaissance began to spread to Northern Europe.
Renaissance ideas such as the importance of the individual are a strong part of modern thought.

3. Introduction
Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo reflected the Renaissance spirit through their work.
Each showed an interest in classical culture, a curiosity about the world, and a belief in human potential.
Humanist writers expanded ideas about individuality.
By the late 1400s, Renaissance ideas had reached Northern Europe – England, France, Germany & Flanders.

4. The Northern Renaissance
Unlike Italy, England and France were united under strong monarchs.
Monarchs purchased paintings from artists, as a way to support the arts.
Northern traditions blended with renaissance ideas to form a new blend.
Northerners focused more on realism.
Created plans for social reform.

5. Spread of Artistic Ideas
Trying to flee war, many Italian artists fled to Northern Europe.
Brought their styles and techniques.
Northern Europeans, studying in Italy, also brought back ideas from the Italian Renaissance.

6. Reforming Society
New ideas led to critiques of the Christian Church for a failure to inspire people to live a Christian life.
Christian humanists sought to reform society, particularly education.
Founded a school for both boys and girls.

7. Christian Humanists Desiderius Erasmus
Praise the Folly – poked fun at greedy merchants, heartsick lovers, etc.
Thomas More
Utopia – Model of Society (no war, corruption or greed)
Utopia – Greek term that means no place.
Now used to mean an ideal place.

8. Women’s Reforms
Many families could not afford to send all their children to school.
Therefore, sent their sons.
Christine de Pizan
One of the first women to earn a living as a writer.
Questioned different treatment of boys and girls.

9. Elizabethan Age
Period when Renaissance spread to England (~mid-1500s).
Named after Elizabeth I.
Well educated
Supported development of English art and literature.

10. William Shakespeare Elizabethan Age Used classics for inspirations.
Deep understanding of humans and their flaws.
Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, Romeo & Juliet, King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream & The Taming of the Shrew.

11. Printing  Spread of Ideas
Chinese invented block printing – not practical for Europeans.
~1440 Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press.
Produce books quickly & cheaply.
Bible was first book printed with movable type.
How did this help spread ideas?

12. Legacy of the Renaissance
Period of great artistic & social change.
Changes in Art
Drew on techniques & styles of Greece and Rome.
Paintings were individualistic & realistic.
Secular works.
Vernacular languages, instead of Latin, were used.
Praised individual achievement.

13. Legacy of the Renaissance (cont.)
Changes in Society
Printing – more information available & less expensive.
Increased desire for learning.
Increased the use of the vernacular and literacy rates.
Published new discoveries & legal proceedings.
Views on how life should be lived.
Questioning political structures & religious practices.