Renaissance
Renaissance in Italy Renaissance means “rebirth” from the disorder & disunity of the medieval world Began in Italy & lasted from 1350 to about 1500 Why Italy Italy was the center of the Roman Empire Center of European/Asian trade Wealthy, powerful merchant class promoted cultural rebirth – the Medicis family
What was the Renaissance New worldview – Focus on human experience/achievement instead of life after death Spirit of Adventure – Curiosity to explore new worlds; Christopher Columbus and Nicholas Copernicus Humanism – Study of worldly subjects and the classics instead of only religious issues; (grammar, rhetoric, poetry & history) most famous – Francesco Petrarch
The Arts New Expressions Artwork portrayed religious figures but backdrops were Greek & Roman Artwork depicted well-known figures of the time - reflected individual achievement New Styles Perspective, shading, study of anatomy and live models Architecture Abandoned Gothic style – too cluttered New styles used columns, arches & domes (like the Roman built Pantheon)
Renaissance Painters/Artists Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa, The Last Supper Studied botany, anatomy, optics, music architecture & engineering Michelangelo Sistine Chapel, Statue of David, St. Peters Sculptor, engineer, painter, architect & poet Raphael St. Peter’s Cathedral Architect & painter
Renaissance Writers Baldassare Castiglione – The Book of the Courtier “How to” handbook for aspiring & ambitious men & women on skills, manners & virtues a member of the Court should have Men – athletic, musical, knows literature & history Women – graceful, kind, lively yet reserved Niccolo Machiavelli – The Prince “How to” book on leadership The end justifies the means Do whatever necessary to achieve goals
Renaissance Moves North Lack of economic growth & the plague slowed the spread of the Renaissance north Began in Flanders – northern France, Belgium & Netherlands Rebirth in Spain, France, Germany & England came 100 years later Artists Albrecht Durer - engraver Jan & Hubert van Eyck – developed oil paint Pieter Bruegel – portrayed peasant life not religious themes Peter Paul Rubens – blended the classics with real life
Albrecht DurerHubert van Eyck Pieter Bruegel Peter Paul Rubens
Northern Humanists Stressed education & classical learning Emphasized religious themes Revival on ancient learning should be used to bring about religious & moral reform Desiderius Erasmus Called for the Bible to be written so all could read Disgusted by corruption in the Church & called for reform Thomas More - wrote Utopia Called for social reforms to create an ideal society
Shakespeare Wrote 37 plays - Twelfth Night, Richard III, Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth Added 1700 words to the English language Cervantes Wrote Don Quixote
The Printing Press Johann Gutenberg – Mainz, Germany 1496 – printed the Bible using the printing press Printed books were cheaper & easier to produce Literacy increased Knowledge from medicine, astronomy, law & economics increased Europeans became exposed to new ideas