Italy and the rebirth of learning and the arts The Renaissance

Madonna and Child in Glory By Jacopa di Cione (1360/65) A very early example of Renaissance painting, containing many of the characteristics of paintings from the Middle Ages. Notice the halos around the heads of the figures in the paintings. Notice that the pairs of saints and angels around the upper border of the painting are smaller than the Madonna and child in the center. This is called hieratic scale, which means making the most important figures in a work of art larger than less important figures. QUESTION 1.How does this painting reflect the values of the Middle Ages?

The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin by Jan van Eyck (1434) This painting shows Jesus and his mother, Mary, in 15 th Century Europe. Notice the recreation of distance and the appearance of three dimensions. This technique, called “perspective,” existed in the Classical period of Greece and Rome, but had not been used during the Middle Ages. QUESTIONS: 2. What differences do you notice between this depiction of Mary and Jesus and the previous one? 3. What does showing Mary and Jesus in “present day” tell us about the role of religion in Renaissance society?

David by Michelangelo (1504) Michelangelo was influenced by the classical statues of Greece and Rome. David shows the Biblical hero in the moments just before his battle with Goliath. Notice that his posture is graceful, yet he also displays strength. QUESTION: 4. David is also an example of Renaissance art that borrows ideals from the Classical age of Greece and Rome. What values of those earlier cultures does this statue display?

Madonna and Child with St. John By Guiliano Bugiardini (1523/1525) Yet another painting of Mary and Jesus, this time also with St. John. Notice the landscape and use of perspective. QUESTIONS: 5. Do these religious figures wear halos? If so, how do they differ from the ones in the first painting? 6. Is the landscape Heavenly or Earthly? What does this tell us about religion in the Renaissance?

The Bean Eater By Annibale Carracci (1582/83) This painting was made later in the Renaissance than any of the others we’ve shown. QUESTIONS: 7.What is the main difference you see between this painting and the other works we’ve looked at? 8.This painting reflects the value of “humanism.” What do you think that means?

Renaissance = Rebirth If you were one of the lucky ones to survive the bloodshed of The Crusades and the suffering of The Plague, wouldn’t you want to live it up? If you were one of the lucky ones to survive the bloodshed of The Crusades and the suffering of The Plague, wouldn’t you want to live it up? The Renaissance was a period in Europe when people questioned the Church and the structures of Medieval society that blocked social advancement. Why? The Renaissance was a period in Europe when people questioned the Church and the structures of Medieval society that blocked social advancement. Why? Out of this came an explosion of creativity, which began in Italy in the early 1300s. Out of this came an explosion of creativity, which began in Italy in the early 1300s.

Renaissance/ Change over Time How does this painting reflect the values of the Middle Ages? Is the landscape heavenly or earthy, what does this reveal about religion during the Renaissance? What is the major difference between this painting and the other two? 1.Give one example of hieratic scale from these paintings {Cornell notes} 2. Give one example of perspective from these paintings {Cornell notes} 3. Which painting would best symbolize humanism? Figure it out!

Why Italy?

Why, really? Northern Italy had many large city-states as the result of overseas trade, and also many large towns. Cities are breeding grounds for new ideas. Northern Italy had many large city-states as the result of overseas trade, and also many large towns. Cities are breeding grounds for new ideas. The Plague hit these cities hard, killing up to 60% of their populations. Business suffered, so many wealthy merchants turned to art. Also, because there were fewer laborers, those left could demand higher wages. The Plague hit these cities hard, killing up to 60% of their populations. Business suffered, so many wealthy merchants turned to art. Also, because there were fewer laborers, those left could demand higher wages. Italians also drew inspiration from the ruins of Rome that surrounded them. Italians also drew inspiration from the ruins of Rome that surrounded them.

City-States... Where have we heard that term before? Just as in ancient Greece, the city-states in Italy (Milan, Florence, etc.) were very independent and ran their own affairs. Because they were relatively small, a high percentage of citizens could participate in political life. Just as in ancient Greece, the city-states in Italy (Milan, Florence, etc.) were very independent and ran their own affairs. Because they were relatively small, a high percentage of citizens could participate in political life. Merchants became the wealthiest, most powerful class. Unlike nobles, merchants did not inherit their power. Individual achievement was to become an important Renaissance theme. Merchants became the wealthiest, most powerful class. Unlike nobles, merchants did not inherit their power. Individual achievement was to become an important Renaissance theme.

A return to the classics Renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the Middle Ages. They instead looked to the Classical era of Greece and Rome. Renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the Middle Ages. They instead looked to the Classical era of Greece and Rome. Scholars studied ancient Latin manuscripts that had been preserved in monasteries. Scholars studied ancient Latin manuscripts that had been preserved in monasteries. And Byzantine scholars preserved Greek manuscripts before Constantinople fell to the Muslim Turks. And Byzantine scholars preserved Greek manuscripts before Constantinople fell to the Muslim Turks.

In their shoes: Write It Up Analyze the words on the previous slide and explain how the attitudes of the poor in the Middle Ages changed during the period know as the Renaissance, particularly those who survived the Black Death. Analyze the words on the previous slide and explain how the attitudes of the poor in the Middle Ages changed during the period know as the Renaissance, particularly those who survived the Black Death.

Printing Press Allowed for fast reproduction of Humanist ideas during the Renaissance period Allowed for materials to be produced in numerous languages at a fast rate

Machiavelli: 1. According to The Prince, what is the best way for political leaders to obtain and hold power? 2. Based on his own words, what was Machiavelli’s view of human nature?