Italy: birthplace of the Renaissance Chapter 1, Section 1 Pages 37-42

Setting the stage Black Plague and Hundred Years War People want to enjoy life Structures of society change Question Church Reject Medieval thoughts Plague kills 60% of population Fewer laborers = demand for higher wages Shrank business expansion opportunities Wealthy merchants can pursue art

Three advantages Thriving cities Urban Centers Overseas trade Crusades Urban while rest of Europe is rural Wealthy merchant class Wealthiest, most powerful class Earned social rank Individual achievement important (See Medici Family) Medici family Ruled Florence Cosimo de’ Medici- wealthiest European of his time Influenced members of ruling council by giving loans Virtual dictator of Florence for 30 years. He and son greatly supported the arts Classical heritage Studied Latin manuscripts Byzantine scholars brought Greek manuscripts to Rome

Classical & Worldly Values Humanism- focus on human potential and achievements. Influenced artists and architects Popularized the study of history, literature, and philosophy- “Humanities” Secular- worldly and concerned with the here and now One can enjoy life without offending God Church leaders began to live worldly lives Large mansions, lavish parties, expensive clothes Patron- financially supporting artists Popes- spend large amounts of money to beautify Rome Show importance by having portraits painted or donating art Renaissance man- a master of all areas of study. Should dance, sing, play music, write poetry Should be a skilled rider, wrestler, and swordsman Renaissance women- inspire art, not make it Know the classics, be charming, be educated but not a leader

Revolution of art Perspective- An artistic technique that creates the appearance of three dimensions on a flat surface. An optical illusion Horizon Vanishing point

Michelangelo True Renaissance man Painter, sculptor, architect and poet Famous for way he portrayed the human body Forceful and showed heroic grandeur and power Sponsored by Medici Famous for: Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica David Sistine Chapel

Leonardo True Renaissance man Painter, sculptor, inventor, scientist Interested in how things worked Notebooks full of sketches and inventions Known for: Mona Lisa The Last Supper

Raphael Studied Michelangelo and Leonardo Madonna and child was his favorite subject Known for- School of Athens

Literature Vernacular- Use of native language rather than classic Self-expression or portraying individualism Famous Renaissance writers: Francesco Petrarch- humanist; poet; wrote sonnets about women named “Laura”; wrote in Latin to many influential friends. Boccaccio- Wrote Decameron; realistic and off-color; supposedly told by a group of worldly young people stuck in a villa waiting for the plague to leave. Niccolo Machiavelli- The Prince; a political playbook; Examines how rulers can gain power and keep it in spite of his enemies Idea of most people being fickle, selfish, and corrupt Must be strong as a lion, shrewd as a fox Women writers Wrote about personal subjects, not politics