1. The Renaissance and Northern Renaissance
Mr. Stowinsky
World History

2. Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance
Renaissance – rebirth
Rebirth of art and learning
Rediscovered art and works from Greece and Rome
Most of northern Italy was urban, so spreading ideas and culture happened more quickly
Population was still low because of the plague, so there were higher wages

3. Merchants
Merchants had to earn their wealth and power, not inherit it. The idea of individual achievement is important during the Renaissance
Bankers and merchants usually controlled government of Italian city-states

4. Classical and Worldly Values
Humanism – intellectual movement that focuses on human potential and achievements
Humanities – history, literature, philosophy
Emphasis on luxury – people could enjoy life again – nice homes, good food, good music
Secular idea became more important than spiritual
Patrons – people who financially support art and artists

5. “Renaissance Man” – the idea that all educated men should create some kind of art
Renaissance women were expected to inspire art but not create it. Women still held little political power

6. The Renaissance Revolutionizes Art
Perspective – showing 3 dimensions on a flat surface
Could have Christian or even Greek or Roman subjects
Realistic poses were used for sculpture
Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper
Michelangelo sculpted David from the Bible

7. Renaissance Writers Change Literature
Vernacular – native language
Writers began to write in vernacular instead of Latin
Sonnet – 14-line poem
Machiavelli wrote The Prince – most people are are selfish and corrupt. You may have to trick people to gain power.

8. The Northern Renaissance
England, France, and other nations began to hire Italian Renaissance men for art projects
Italian artists left Italy to avoid a war between France and Italy
German painters introduced woodcuts and engravings
Oil painting allowed for more variety of color

9. Northern Writers Try to Reform Society
Education seen as very important – women and girls could now attend school
Christian Humanists – said people should study the Bible to improve society
Thomas More – Utopia – wrote about a perfect society with no greed, corruption, or war. Money is almost useless

10. The Elizabethan Age Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England
Could speak 5 languages and supported the development of English art and literature
William Shakespeare – wrote and performed several plays – Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar
Showed deep understanding of human beings in his works

11. Printing Spreads Renaissance Ideas
More people could read and write, so the demand for books increased
Johann Gutenberg – invented the printing press
Made books cheap so almost everyone could afford them
Knowledge and learning continued to spread

12. The Legacy of the Renaissance
Changes in the Arts
Art drew on techniques and styles of ancient Greece & Rome
Artists created both secular and religious works
Writers wrote in vernacular
Arts praised individual achievement

13. Changes in Society Printing made books cheaper and more available
Maps and charts could now be published
Laws could be printed, making them clearer
Attempts to reform society made people think about how life should be lived
People began to question politics and religion