The Italian RenaissanceThe Birth of the Modern World
The Renaissance
•A sustained period of renewed interest and remarkable development in art, literature, science, and learning.
Causes of the Renaissance•Black Death
▫Surplus food=lower prices=extra money•Trade
▫Crusades – opened up Asia & Africa▫Specialization – regions focus on a few products
•Growth of city-states in Italy▫Powerful and wealthy merchants
•Rediscovery of classical culture (Greece, Rome)
•Focus on individuals and human nature
Where did it begin?• Venice
▫Trade▫Doge & Council of
Ten • Florence
▫ Medici family▫Banking
• Milan▫ Food, silk, & weapons
• Papal States▫ Pope & the Church
Old Ideas are New Again• Crusades – ancient texts &
knowledge rediscovered in Muslim culture
• Greek scholars fleeing Ottoman Turks bring Greek works
• Search through libraries to find works that had been “lost” or ignored during the very religious medieval times
Humanism• Focus on secular themes,
not religious
• Individualism – emphasis on dignity & worth of individual person
• Improvement – develop talents in various arts & skills
Renaissance Politics• Seems to encourage harsh
treatment of people
• Power & ruthlessness most useful for ruler
• “better for a ruler to be feared than loved”
• “The ends justify the means”
• The STATE and the RULER are NOT the same thing
Renaissance Society• How to behave in society
• “Renaissance man” idea
• Handbook for how to advance your status
Renaissance ArchitectureGothic (Medieval) Renaissance
Renaissance Art• No one style, more of a
change in attitudes & techniques▫ Realism▫ Perspective – optical
illusion creating depth & 3D
▫ Individuals are focus▫ Influence of classical
styles▫ Religious, mythological,
or portrayal of upper class
Compare & ContrastMedieval Portrait Renaissance Portrait
Focus on individual
Realism & Influence of classics
Perspective
Mythological, religious, upper class
The Patrons• Artists in medieval times
were anonymous and art was religious
• During Renaissance wealthy individuals, city governments & the church became patrons▫ Medici family▫ Sforza family▫ Roman Catholic Church
• Competition led to vibrant art scene where artists were like rock stars
The Artists• Leonardo da Vinci
▫ Painter, inventer, philosopher
• Michelangelo▫ Painter, sculptor
• Raphael▫ Architect, painter
• Bramante▫ Architect