Chapter 15: The Renaissance The Italian States
Renaissance Italy
The Major Italian States Economics and Politics 5 major Italian regions: Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, and Rome(Papal States) Milan 14th century Visconti Family Connected Alps to rest of the Italian trade cities 1447: Francesco Sforza conquered Milan Did it for the money Established a strong central government Established a tax system for the government
The Major Italian Cities Venice Served as the commercial link between Asia and Western Europe Established as a republic with a doge as its leader Reality is that the aristocrats/wealthy merchants ran the city International power due to its large trading ports
The Major Italian Cities Florence Established as a republic in the Tuscany region Started off as a small city but grew through military conquest 1434: Cosimo de Medici Established the de Medici family as the leaders of Florence Led Florence to become cultural center of Italy As cities gain more power, the Church loses power Girolano Savonarola (Preacher) Spoke out against the corruption of the Medici family Drove them to be exiled from Florence
The Major Italian Cities Papal States Included Rome Controlled by the Catholic Church Naples Only major state that was a monarchy Conflict in Europe Italian prosperity led to the French attacking the city states 1494: took control of Naples Italy called for help from Spain 1527: Rome ransacked by all
Machiavelli’s The Prince Most influential work on politics of the time Main idea: How does one gain and maintain power? Set of rules as to how to govern Morality is unrelated to politics Must act on behalf of the state Must be willing to do both good and evil
Renaissance Society 3 classes within society: Clergy, Nobility, Peasants Nobility Expected to live up to the standards of the Renaissance Nobles were born not made Required, character, grace, and talent The aim was to serve the prince in an effective and honest way This made a perfect noble
Renaissance Society Peasants Patricians Burghers Workers Unemployed Money from banking, trade, and industry Burghers Shopkeepers, artisans, and guild masters Workers Unskilled workers Unemployed
Family and Marriage Marriage Family Arranged between family Designed to strengthen families and business ties Dowry was given by wife’s family for marriage Family Husband/father was center of family Absolute authority over all in family Mother supervised household and children
Chapter 15: The Renaissance Ideas and Art of the Renaissance
Italian Humanism What is Humanism? Intellectual movement based on the study of the humanities (grammar, history, philosophy, etc.) Based on the study of Greek and Roman literature Use of classical values to revitalize culture Francesco Petrarch Father of Italian Renaissance humanism Use of classical Latin Establishment of libraries Emphasized Cicero and Virgil
Life of Humanists To many, the humanist movement was to be a solitary movement No need for family By 15th century, movement went into politics In order to spread movement, vernacular language used even though they pushed Latin only Dante: The Divine Comedy written in Italian Soul’s journey to attain Paradise
Renaissance Education Affected by the humanist movement Less of a push for religion in education Areas of study History, grammar, public speaking, logic, poetry, mathematics, music, and ethics Wanted to produce individuals of virtue and wisdom Wanted to create well-rounded citizens Physical education important as well Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized education and how knowledge was passed into society
Italian Renaissance Art Frescoes Painting done on fresh wet plaster with water based paint Tommaso di Giovanni (Masaccio) Started this period of art The Tribute Money (Story of the life of Peter) Used perspective to create 3D images
Italian Renaissance Art Two Major Developments in Painting 1. Importance of the technical aspect of painting Understanding perspective Organization of outdoor space Light through geometry 2. Investigation of movement and human anatomy Realistic portrayals of individuals Greater use of human nudes
Example: David (Michelangelo)
Renaissance Sculpture Donatello Studied Greek and Roman Statues Free standing statues
Renaissance Architecture Inspired by the classical architecture of Greece and Rome Brunelleschi Classical columns Rounded arches Large exterior domes Open airy spaces
Example-Church of San Lorenzo
The High Renaissance (1490-1520) Leonardo da Vinci The “Renaissance man” Artist, inventor, scientist Master of realistic painting Mona Lisa
The High Renaissance (1490-1520) Raphael Sanzio Well known for madonnas (paintings of Mary) School of Athens Balance, harmony, and order (what Greek and Roman art stood for)
The High Renaissance (1490-1520) Michelangelo The Sistine Chapel