Transcript Renaissance and Reformation

Renaissance
Chapter 17
Section 1
Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance
1300-1600
Main Idea:
Revolution – The Italian Renaissance was
a rebirth of learning that produced many
great works of art and literature.
Why it matters now:
Renaissance art and literature still
influence modern thought and modern art.
Renaissance = Rebirth (in art and learning)
What 3 advantages fostered the
Renaissance in Italy?
1. Cities and City-States
–Italy = urban areas & large towns
–Rest of Europe = rural
–Bubonic plague led to decreased
population and increased wages &
art
2. Merchants & Medici
– Merchants made money due to trade;
– They dominated politics
– Unlike royalty, they valued individual
achievement
– Medici family- one of the most powerful
families of the Renaissance
• Patrons of the arts, bankers, rulers
3. Greek and Roman Influence
• Ruins of Rome inspired art and
architecture
• Western scholars studied Latin (Roman)
manuscripts (writings)
• Christian scholars studied Greek
manuscripts that were rescued from
Constantinople
A New Attitude
• Reading classical works led to changes in
thinking
• Humanism – an intellectual movement
focusing on human potential and
achievement – instead of suffering and
piety
• Led to the study of history, literature,
philosophy (aka Humanities)
Worldly Pleasures
• News flash: you can enjoy life without
offending God!
• This idea allowed wealthy people to spend
money on things for themselves without
feeling guilty.
• People are more secular – focused on
things in this world instead of their spirits
and what happens after death.
Patrons of the Arts
• Patrons support artists
• Patrons were wealthy families, merchants
and church leaders
• Supporting artists and buying art showed
your power, influence and money
Patrons of the Arts
• Patronage is the
support,
encouragement,
privilege and often
financial aid given by
a person or an
organization.
The Renaissance Man
• The idea was that all educated people
should or be expected to create art.
• Ideal man masters every area of study
• Men should: be charming, witty, well
educated, dance, sing, play music, write
poetry, ride horses, & play sports.
The Renaissance Woman
• Expected to know the classics & be
charming
• Should inspire art, not create it
• More educated than
medieval women
Isabella d’Este
1474-1539
“First Lady of
the Italian
Renaissance.”
Great patroness
of the arts.
Known during her
time as “First
Lady of the
World!”
Changes in Art
1. Realism & Expression
 Expulsion from
the Garden
 Masaccio
 1427
 First nudes since
classical times.
2. Perspective
The Trinity
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Perspective!
Masaccio
1427
Perspective!
First use
of linear
perspective!
What you are,
I once was;
what I am,
you will
become.
3. Classicism
Greco-Roman
influence.
Secularism.
Humanism.
Individualism  free
standing figures.
Symmetry/Balance
The “Classical Pose”
Medici “Venus” (1c)
4. Empasis on Individualism
 Batista Sforza & Federico de Montefeltre: The
Duke & Dutchess of Urbino
 Piero della Francesca, 1465-1466.
More on Art…
• Anyone with money wanted to be a patron
of the arts, including the pope.
• The new focus on individualism inspires
people to commission paintings of
themselves.
• Popes and other church officials show
their influence by commissioning art that
glorifies the church.
Leonardo da Vinci: “Renaissance
Man”
• known for Mona Lisa and The Last Supper
(showed personalities of the disciples)
• well-rounded painter, architect, engineer,
sculptor, scientist
The Last Supper
Mona Lisa
The Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo
Buonarroti
1508 - 1512
The Sistine Chapel Details
The Last Judgment
Sculpture
• The human figure is beautiful and is
depicted in life-like form.
• Celebrate the animal, natural beauty of
man!
• Michelangelo, Donatello, Cellini, Bernini,
da Vinci
The Liberation of
Sculpture
 David by Donatello
 1430
 First free-form bronze
since Roman times!
David
Verrocchio
1473 - 1475
 David
 Michelangelo
Buonarotti
 1504
 Marble
 15c
What
a
difference
a
century
makes!
16c 
Renaissance Writing
• Vernacular- writing in one’s own language,
before this time people wrote in Latin even if
they spoke another language day to day.
• Writing became a form of self expression or
portray individuality.
– Ex: Francesco Petrarch & his sonnets about Laura.
Some called Father of Renaissance humanism.
– Boccaccio and his famous writing-Decameron: writing
about individuals and the human condition, showing
both tragic and comic views of life.
The Prince: Machiavelli
• How to gain power and keep it
• Not concerned with morals, only what is
politically effective
• Must appear trustworthy and avoid
suspicion but be ready to mislead people if
necessary