1. A Rebirth of European Thought
The Renaissance
A Rebirth of European Thought

2. What was it? Renaissance: revival of art and learning
Influence of classical Greece and Rome
Desire to return to intellect of Greece and Rome
Inspiration from ruins of Rome
Study of Latin manuscripts
Christian scholars in Constantinople had fled with Greek manuscripts during Turkish invasion

3. Humanism Definition Respected sources (classics, scripture)
Studia humanitatis
Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, moral philosophy
Dignity, virtue
Respected sources (classics, scripture)
Focus on antiquity
Focus on human potential and achievements as a result of the Reformation (decreased power of the Church)
Enjoy life while honoring God (don’t give up material goods)
Patrons
Church leaders, wealthy pay for art, supporting artists
Having portraits done, decorating temples, etc
What do you think the patrons expected to be portrayed as?

4. Renaissance Art
“Medieval Christian values adjusted to a more this-worldly spirit”
High Renaissance
Embraced natural world and human emotions
Rational/mathematical order
Perfect symmetry and proportionality (harmony of universe)
The “ideal” human form
Accurate representations of the human form (anatomical research)
New technical skills
Oil paints on canvas (rather than tempura on wood)
Shading to enhance naturalness (chiaroscuro)
Adjusting size of figure to create continuity with painting (linear perspective)
Portraying space realistically

6. Leonardo da Vinci Ideal of universal person
Jack of all Trades (painter, sculpture, inventor, scientist)
Inner moods through complex facial expression

9. Raphael
Famous for madonnas
Use of perspective
“School of Athens”

11. Michelangelo “David” Harmony, symmetry, proportion
Glorification of human form
Sistine Chapel (Julius II)

14. Northern Renaissance What brought the Renaissance north?
Patronage of Italian artists
Trade
French invasion of Italy
Bring ideas back to France
Renaissance artists flee to northern Europe
Differences between the Italian and Northern Renaissance
Not a “rebirth” of classical style, but rather a break from Gothic style
Rather than rediscovering antiquity, a focus on nature
Realism rather than idealism
Haziness to suggest depth
Oil, shade
Mannerism
Strange and abnormal, freer reign to individual perceptions and feelings of artist
Emotional connection to spirituality and sinfulness
A result of tumultuous times and a lack of unifying force (Church)