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