The Renaissance and Reformation

What was the Renaissance? The Renaissance was a time of creativity and change in many areas -Cultural, political, social, and economic It was spurred on by a reawakened interest in classical learning, especially the culture of Ancient Rome. This Renaissance or “rebirth” was a rebirth from the chaos and disunity of the medieval world.

Italian Beginnings The Renaissance began in Italy in the mid- 1300’s and reached its height in the 1500’s. Why Italy? Because the Renaissance was marked by an renewed interest in the culture of ancient Rome. Since Rome is in Italy, it was only natural that it begin there

Why Italy? It’s cities differed from the rest of Europe in an important way… They survived the Middle Ages. Florence, Milan, Venice, and Genoa grew into prosperous centers of trade and manufacturing. A powerful merchant class in these cities contributed to the cultural rebirth They spent lavishly to support the arts.

Florence and the Medicis Florence, more than any other city, came to symbolize Italian Renaissance. Like Athens, it produced a dazzling # of gifted poets, artists, architects, scholars and scientists in a short space of time. The Medicis ranked among the richest merchants and bankers in Europe. They were the uncrowned rulers of Florence for many years from Lorenzo Medici was a generous PATRON (financial supporter) of the arts. Under Lorenzo, poets and philosophers frequently visited the Midici palace

Humanism At the heart of the Italian Renaissance was an intellectual movement called Humanism(focusing on secular or worldly issues instead of religious issues). Focus on education Taught the same subjects that were taught in ancient Greece and Rome: Grammar, Rhetoric, poetry, and history.

Humanism

The Golden Age in the Arts Wealthy patrons played a major role in this artistic movement. Popes and princes supported the work of hundreds of artists. Renaissance art reflected humanist concerns: painted well-known figures of the day. Renaissance artists studied ancient Greek and Roman works and revived many classical forms, ex: Donatello the sculptor created a life-size statue of a soldier on horse-back. It was the first such figure done since ancient times.

Perspective paintings Renaissance painters developed new ways of making humans and landscapes look more realistic: Used perspective-making distant objects smaller than those close to the viewer thus making the picture look 3-D Used shading to make objects look round and real. Studied human anatomy and drew from live models. Allowed Renaissance artists to draw the human body more accurately than artists had done before.

Perspective

Ninja Turtles named after 4 Renaissance Artists

Leonardo da Vinci Born in One of the most brilliant painters and sculptors (from Florence) Most popular work: The Mona Lisa Made sketches for flying machines and underwater boats years before the 1st plane or submarine was ever invented

Michelangelo Michelangelo was a many sided genius. A virtuoso- Was a sculptor, engineer, painter, architect and poet. Masterpieces like the Pieta which captures the sorrow of Mary as she cradles the dead Christ on her knees. Most famous for his work on the Sistine Chapel ON HIS BACK!!!

The Sistine Chapel

Raphael Studied the works of Michelangelo and Leonardo. Portraits blend Christian and classical styles. Best known for his portrayals of the Madonna, the mother of Christ. Puts himself in “School of Athens”

The School of Athens Great Thinkers…includes himself

Donatello This David sculpture was made by Donatello Donatello’s David was one of the first ever free standing statues… It paved the way for Michelangelo’s David

Architecture Renaissance architects rejected the Gothic style of the late Middle ages and adopted the columns, arches, and domes of the Greeks and Romans.

Writings Machiavelli’s “the Prince” combined his personal view of politics with his knowledge of the past to create a handbook for rulers on how to gain and maintain power. He said that the end justifies the means. Results of a leaders actions are more important than honesty or promises.

The Renaissance Moves North Section 2

Artists of the Northern Renaissance The northern Renaissance began in the 1400’s in the cities of Flanders. Flanders is a region that is today France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Spain, France, Germany and England joined their cultural rebirth 100 years later in the 1500’s.

Artists of the Northern Renaissance Stressed education and classical learning/emphasized religious themes Erasmus Sir Thomas More Shakespeare

Northern Humanists Erasmus From the Netherlands Used his knowledge of Classical languages to create a new Greek edition of the New Testament and also wanted the Bible translated into the everyday language of the people. Most famous writing-The Praise of Folly-talked of the immoral behavior of clergy Sir Thomas More Wrote for social and economic reform. In Utopia More describes an ideal society where peace exists and private property does not. Everyone has something to do and all are educated.

Writing of the Northern Renaissance Shakespeare- Between 1590 and 1613 he wrote 37 plays that are still performed around the world. Words he added to the English language bedroom, lonely, generous, glooms, heartsick, hurry and sneak. Created lines that are still quoted today: “To thine own self be true…”

The Printing Revolution The writings of the Renaissance reached a large audience with the breakthrough of the printing press. Johann Gutenberg- Printing Press. By 1500 Europe had printed over 20 million books. By the next century that # was over 150 million.