1. Chapter 17 The Renaissance
Section 1: Italy—Birthplace of the Renaissance

2. The Renaissance
Means “rebirth.” It is the revival of Art & Learning from classical Greece & Rome. Created new styles of art & literature, new values
Why did it start in Italy?
Cities:
Trade from Crusades meant some Italian cities built faster than anywhere else
Florence, Milan, Genoa, and Venice
Merchants:
Medici family = good example
They controlled Florence
Greece and Rome:
Inspired by the ruins around them
Access to Greek and Roman books from Byzantines
Medici Family
Vast banking empire – Italy & beyond
Cosimo was wealthiest European
Used lending to control politicians
Grandson Lorenzo ruled like a dictator
Generous patron of art, libraries, museums

3. Classical and Worldly Values
Medieval View
(Middle Ages)
Renaissance View
The focus was on God and how to get to Heaven
Medieval scholars believed: Greek values needed to fit with the Bible, Christian teachings
(Greek & Roman values: loyalty to family, community & God; bravery; glory; intelligence; logic & reason; hospitality to others)
Worldly Pleasures: Not concerned with this world. Pleasure makes it harder to get into Heaven
More secular focus on humans, their potential, accomplishments, ability to change their lives, solve problems
Humanists: Greek values are important on their own
Studied classical texts & focused on human potential & achievement
Humanities: History, literature, philosophy
Worldly Pleasures: It is ok for life to be pleasurable. (food, clothing, art, homes)

4. Writing: Vernacular became popular. Religious and non-religious ideas
Medieval View
Renaissance View
Art: Attempted realistic looking people and scenes. Used perspective. Some non-religious subjects.
Writing: Vernacular became popular. Religious and non-religious ideas
Art: Religious based. No attempt at realism.
Writing: All serious writing was in Latin, and on religious subjects

5. So, who do we need to know? Sculptor who focused on realism
Donatello
Michelangelo
Sculptor who focused on realism
Most famous sculpture is “David” (King of Jews)
First large, freestanding nude sculpture since ancient times
Sculptor, painter, architect
Most famous sculpture is “David”
Most famous painting Sistine Chapel ceiling
Other works include the “Pieta” Mary holding Jesus after crucifixion

6. Donatello’s Pieta
Donatello’s David

7. Michelangelo’s David
Sistine Chapel

8. Who else do we need to know?
Leonardo da Vinci
Painter, inventor, sculptor, genius
Most famous paintings:
“Mona Lisa,” “Vitruvian Man,” “Last Supper”
Invented:
Helicopters, tanks, machine guns
Best example of a Renaissance Man
Leonardo da Vinci
Raphael
Painter and architect
Most famous paintings:
“School of Athens”

9. Works of da vinci

10. School of Athens-Raphael
Painted for Pope. Shows value of ancient Greek scholars. Plato and Aristotle are under the arch. To their right, Socrates argues with several young men. Ptolemy holds the globe.

11. Renaissance roles Master all areas of study – humanities
Renaissance Man
Renaissance Woman
Master all areas of study – humanities
Create art of some form
Excel in many fields – including battle
Be charming, witty, dance, sing, play music, write poems
Be bold, but reserved when needed
Know the classics
Be educated
Inspire art, but don’t create it
Patrons of art (the wealthy)
Be charming
Don’t seek fame
Stay out of politics

12. Anyone else? Petrarch Boccaccio Machiavelli Poet “Father of Humanism”
Writer
Wrote “The Decameron.” A collection of stories in Italian, about the plague
Machiavelli
Writer, political advisor
Wrote “The Prince”
An instruction manual as to how a ruler should lead.
“rule like a lion and a fox”
“better to be feared than loved”
Lie to the people if it’s for the good the state
Petrarch
Machiavelli