Chapter 13 European Society in the Age of the Renaissance

European Renaissance The period known as the Renaissance affected the politics, economy, and society of Western Europe. This period also saw the evolution of medieval kingdoms into early modern nation-states.

Defining “Renaissance” The term “renaissance” comes from the French word meaning “rebirth.” “The Renaissance” refers to the rediscovery and repopularization of Greek and Roman classical ideas and culture. –Was this period truly a “rebirth”? The Renaissance period, roughly 1300 to 1600, signals the start of modern times.

Renaissance: Causes and Effects Trigger = the disrepute to which the medieval Church had fallen. Prime quality = “independence of mind.” Ideal = “complete man.” Principal product = man as capable of mastering the world he lived in. His fate could be controlled and improved.

Birthplace of the Renaissance Where did it start? Italian city-states: Venice, Genoa, and Milan. Why? Thriving Mediterranean trade centers. Byzantine contact = access to preserved learning of ancient Greece. Presence of wealthy merchant class. Patrons of the arts. Attachment to Roman classical traditions. Why not elsewhere in W. Europe? 100 Years’ War!

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance Leading Italian city-states. Florence: ruled by the Medici family who had extensive interests in industry, trade, and especially banking. Milan: ruled by the Visconti family and the Sforza family. Venice: an oligarchy in which wealthy merchants held political power. Rome: “Renaissance” popes increasingly involved in secular affairs and culture. The families, the oligarchy, and the popes were all patrons of learning and the arts.

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance-- Classical and Worldly Values Renewed interest in the classics was called “humanism.” –the shift from theocratic, or “God- centered” world view to anthropocentric, or “man-centered” world view.

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance-- Classical and Worldly Values Humanism is credited with: Concept of human personality. Birth of history as the study of the process of change. The stirrings of science. An emphasis on secularism.

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance-- Classical and Worldly Values Humanism impacted Art: renewed interest in the human body and the uniqueness of human faces. Politics: emphasized the idea of the sovereign state over the community of Christendom. –The forerunner of modern nationality. Religion: the precondition for Protestant emphasis on individual conscience.

Art and Patronage Italians were willing to spend a lot of money on art. –Art communicated social, political, and spiritual values. –Italian banking & international trade interests had the money. Public art in Florence was organized and supported by guilds. Therefore, the consumption of art was used as a form of competition for social & political status!

1. Realism & Expression Expulsion from the Garden Masaccio 1427 First nudes since classical times.

2. Perspective First use of linear perspective! The Trinity Masaccio 1427

3. Classicism Greco-Roman influence. Secularism. Humanism. Individualism  free standing figures. Symmetry/Balance The “Classical Pose” Medici “Venus” (1c)

4. Emphasis on Individualism Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: The Duke & Dutchess of Urbino Piero della Francesca,

Isabella d’Este – da Vinci, 1499  “First Lady of the Italian Renaissance.” Great patroness of the arts in Mantua. Known during her time as “First Lady of the World!”

5. Geometrical Arrangement of Figures The Dreyfus Madonna with the Pomegranate Leonardo da Vinci 1469 The figure as architecture!

6. Light & Shadowing/Softening Edges Chiaroscuro Strong Strong Contrasts of Light and Dark. Sfumato To tone down or evaporate in smoke. To tone down or evaporate in smoke.

Renaissance Florence The Wool Factory by Mirabello Cavalori, 1570 The Wool Factory by Mirabello Cavalori, – first gold florins minted 1252 – first gold florins minted Florentine lion: symbol of St. Mark Florentine lion: symbol of St. Mark

Lorenzo the Magnificent Cosimo de Medici

Florence Under the Medici Medici Chapel Medici Chapel The Medici Palace

Filippo Brunelleschi Architect Cuppolo of St. Maria del Fiore

Filippo Brunelleschi Commissioned to build the cathedral dome. –Used unique architectural concepts. He studied the ancient Pantheon in Rome. Used ribs for support.

Brunelleschi’s “Secret”

Brunelleschi’s Dome

Dome Comparisons Il Duomo St. Peter’s St. Paul’s US capital (Florence) (Rome) (London) (Washington)

David by Donatello 1430 First free-form bronze since Roman times! The Liberation of Sculpture

David Verrocchio David Verrocchio

The Baptism of Christ Verrocchio, The Baptism of Christ Verrocchio, Leonardo da Vinci

Vitruvian Man Leonardo da Vinci 1492 The L’uomo universale

The Renaissance “Man” Broad knowledge about many things in different fields. Deep knowledge/skill in one area. Able to link information from different areas/disciplines and create new knowledge. The Greek ideal of the “well-rounded man” was at the heart of Renaissance education.

1. Self-Portrait -- da Vinci, Artist Sculptor Architect Scientist Engineer Inventor

Leonardo, the Artist The Virgin of the Rocks Leonardo da Vinci 