The Renaissance The Age of Rebirth

The Renaissance  Around 1300, western European scholars developed an interest in classical writings  This led from the thinking of the Middle Ages to a period of “rebirth” called the Renaissance.  People became less concerned with the mysteries of the heavens and more interested in the world around them.  The period of the Renaissance was

Renaissance  These states had grown rich from trade and many powerful families took control of the area that was originally ruled by guilds.  These powerful families wanted to be remembered as wise, generous rulers.  They ordered for palaces and churches to be built. They also set up schools so that male children of wealthy families could educate their minds as well as their bodies.

City Life  The center of city life during the Renaissance was the piazza or central square.  Markets were set up, merchants traded goods and people gathered there.  The Italian Renaissance began in Florence which was ruled by the Medici family.

Renaissance Italy

City Life cont.  Problems began to develop in Florence and a monk named Savonarola accused the Medici's of not ruling justly.  Savonarola with the backing of the people overthrew the Medici family  He ran Florence in a very strict way. He did not believe in the way of life that the Renaissance had brought to Florence.  By 1498, the people of Florence grew tired of Savonarola’s ways. He was hung and the Medici family returned to power.

The Papal States  During the 1300s and 1400s, the power of the Popes declined.  Most Popes were not very religious. They acted more like political leaders.  Due to the actions of Pope Alexander VI, Rome replaced Florence and the center of the Renaissance.

Venice  The Renaissance did not reach Venice until the late 1500’s. Before this time, Venetians had always looked to Constantinople rather than western Europe for art and literature.  Venice was different than any other city. It was built on 117 islands all connected through a network of canals and bridges.  In Venice the ruler was called the doge.  The business district of Venice was called the Rialto.

Renaissance Art: Techniques and Themes  Increasing focus on secular rather than religious subjects  Realistic-looking figures and scenes  Perspective/depth  Sense of movement, activity  Symmetry/ proportionality

Art  Artists of the time were considered to be very important people.  Nobles and merchants wanted artists to produce works that increased the fame of their cities.  Renaissance artists carefully studied ancient Roman and Greek art, science and mathematics.  Artists became interested in perspective and chiaroscuro (using light and shade to show depth or dramatic effect) and began to pay close attention to the details of nature.

Art cont.  Artists began to study the structure of the human body.  They began experimenting with light, color and shade.  Their art is displayed all through Europe in churches and museums.

How do these two paintings represent the Renaissance techniques of perspective and chiaroscuro? Based on what you’ve read, identify these two paintings and their artists.