Renaissance

The Rebirth of Europe

Humanism and Secular Life

Study of classical texts that focused on potential human achievement

Artists to carry on classical traditions Study history, literature, and philosophy Humanists think that you should enjoy what

God has given Material luxuries, music, and tasty food

Secular life - concerned with the here and now

Beginnings of the Rebirth

Rebirth of art and learning Begins in Northern Italy around 1300 Took longer to happen in N. Europe

because of the 100 years war Italy had several advantages

Thriving cities, wealthy merchant class, heritage of Greece and Rome

Urban Centers

Crusades brings about much overseas trade

N. Italy was very urban Cities places for new ideas to

spread Plague had previously hit

hard and changed economic structure Fewer opportunities for

business expansion, merchants begin pursuing the arts

Merchant Class

All Italian city-states ran their own affairs - collect taxes, have own army

Merchants wealthiest most powerful class

Didn’t inherit social rank Success depended on own abilities

Individual achievement became important

Changing Art

New techniques Vanishing point, perspective, and horizon line

Often painted religious depictions

New Writers

Begin writing in the vernacular

Wrote either self-expression or to portray the individuality of their subject

Picture from Dante’s Inferno

Northern Renaissance Begins

1453 The 100 Years War ended and cities are growing rapidly

Began first in Flanders England and France unified under strong

monarchs More humanists in France more concerned

with religious ideas Social reform based on Christian values

Northern Writers Reform Society

Erasmus - The Praise of Folly, poked fun at greedy merchants, heartsick lovers, quarrelsome scholars, and pompous priests. Thought to improve society all should study the

bible Believed in a Christianity of the heart not of

ceremonies Sir Thomas Moore - Utopia, imaginary land

about peace loving people, no greed, corruption, war, or crime