Renaissance

The Renaissance begins in Italy The Renaissance begins in Italy and spreads north to the rest of Europe. • Italy was the center of trade between northern Europe and Africa. • It was the center of Greco-Roman culture. • It was the center of the Catholic Church. • The Renaissance runs between 1300 and 1650.

The Beginning The term Renaissance means “rebirth” in Latin. • It was the rebirth of art and learning. • It was influenced by very powerful families such as the Medici family. • The Medici’s were bankers out of Florence. • The families gave support to various artists.

Characteristics of the Renaissance Humanism • Individualism • Questioning Attitude • Interest in Secular, or non-religious worldly matters. • Rise of the middle class (Disposable income) • Great achievements in the arts.

Humanism Humanism is the idea that is focused on human achievements and potential rather than religious themes. • Focused on the man and his world. • Concentrated on everyday human problems and relationships. • Humanists focus on pleasure rather than morality.

Humanism The secular nature of humanism, as well as it’s questioning attitude, often brought it into conflict with the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church and Medieval thinking.

Medieval Art Artists depicted subjects in an unrealistic two dimensional style to indicate the importance of the soul over the body.

Renaissance Art Use of oil paints • 3-D and realism were the new techniques of the Renaissance.

Characteristics of Renaissance Art Three dimensional • Realistic • Lifelike • Influenced by Greco-Roman culture

Renaissance Artists • Leonardo da Vinci • Michelangelo • Raphael • Donatello

Leonardo da Vinci • Da Vinci was considered the “Renaissance Man” • Was a painter, sculptor, inventor, and a scientist.

Renaissance Writers • Began to use the vernacular (vernacular = the native language) instead of classical Latin. • Machiavelli, who wrote The Prince a handbook for behavior.

Machiavelli • Machiavelli was a political philosopher • The Prince advised kings how to rule. • In Machiavelli way of thinking, there are no means in which the end does not justify (The end justifies the means)

The Renaissance Moves North • Because of the plague, it was not until 1450 did northern Europe enjoy the economic growth that helped support the Renaissance in Italy. • Northern artists and writers imitated Italian styles while adding new methods and ideas of their own. • As a result of the printing press, books became more available and people became more literate.

Humanism in Europe Northern Humanists stressed education and classical learning, however, unlike the Italian humanists, they emphasized religious themes. • They believed that the revival should be used to bring about religious and moral

Shakespeare • The best known Renaissance writer was William • Between 1590 and 1613 he wrote 37 plays that are still preformed around the world.