The Renaissance

What Will You Learn? You will learn how European society was revitalized after the Dark Ages….

Before the Renaissance Europe suffered from war and plague People who survived wanted to celebrate life Began to question political institutions (political powers) People began to question the Church

A Time of Change 1300-1600 Revival of art and learning = Renaissance Explosion of creativity in Art Architecture Writing Thought

A Time of Change Led to new values, such as individualism What is individualism? Belief in the importance of the individual? Do we really need the Church? Pope? Political Institutions?

A Time of Change With fewer people to feed, the standard of living was higher People were better educated Literacy increased Demand for books increased The middle class began to emerge

New Sources of Knowledge 1453 – fall of Constantinople – many Byzantine scholars fled to Italy They took knowledge of classical Greece with them Greek texts Knowledge to read them Cordoba, Spain -

New Sources of Technology Learned how to make paper Made it easier to create and store books Contributed to the growth of libraries 1400 – paper mills found in France, Italy, and Germany Led to development of printing

Rise of Italian City-States Italy was very urban and commercial Overseas trade, spurred by the Crusades led to development of northern Italy Economy based on commerce, not agriculture Merchants were witty, individual merit > family Venice, Milan, Naples, Florence Rise of banks

Florence The Medici’s Banking family, who had power Branch offices throughout Italy Cosimo de Medici – gave loans to the nobles Lorenzo de Medici – grandson of Cosimo (1469) – Dictator of Florence

Worldly Values Europeans became influenced by classical ideas Study of classical texts led to humanism Humanism focused on human potential and achievement Tried to understand Greek values Studied subjects like history, literature, and philosophy

Worldly Pleasures Luxuries Good music Fine foods Expensive clothes Lavish parties Secular spirit Concerned with the here and now instead of the hereafter

Patrons of the Arts Spent huge amounts of money on art Patrons = financially supporting the arts Wealthy families had portraits painted Donated art to the city in public squares Wealthy demonstrated their importance

Renaissance Man Create art Master every area of study Charming, witty, well educated in the humanities Dance, sing, play music, and write poetry Skilled writer, wrestler, and swordsman

Renaissance Woman Should be charming Know the classics Inspire art, but rarely create it Most had little influence in politics Smarter than medieval women Should be patrons of the arts