The Italian Renaissance

Unit Concepts1. Renaissance art was a rebirth of Greco-Roman styles.

2. It a) brought monumentality to art, B) placed importance on secular themes and secular learning, and C) re-established a sense of order, balance, and stability.

3. It was a period of growth and experimentation which saw the development of individual artists’ styles, and therefore the fame of the individual artist.

Proto-Renaissance

Early Renaissance

Late Renaissance

High Renaissance

Mannerism

1200-1400

1400-1450

1450-1480

1480-1500

1500-1600

Historical Background

Renaissance= RebirthIt is a rebirth of Greco-Roman style.It’s also a rebirth of realism, perspective, secular themes, and experimentation.

Vasari’s Lives of the Artists

Book written about the great artists of the renaissance. Highly influenced how we think. Not all stories are true. Blatant propaganda for Medici.

Renaissance= time period

It was a chronological time period. It also refers to political, musical, and literature history as well, not just art.

At this time, new nations were forming. Europe began to see the rise of more power than just the Catholic church. England and France exist. Italy and Germany are mainly city-states.

Renaissance Italy

Italy is becoming center of culture and power. Italians are exploring the world. Have freedom politically, leads to innovation.

Why in Italy?1. Commercial Center: Center of trade, thus center of the world. Tolerant and open-minded.

2. Church as Patron: Catholic HQ is in Rome. They commission large works of art.

3. Greco-Roman ruins: rome is biggest source of ruins. Can study and learn from the ancient romans.

Wealthy Families1. Economic Growth: These families became rich on their own, through their own planning and alliances, not by God’s will. They feel they deserve that respect.

2. Patrons of Art: Rise in power= Rise of resentment against you. You have to show that you are using your money in a good way. Patron of art.

The Medici, FlorenceGiovanni Medici started a bank which soon spread all across Europe.

Endorsed the Pirate Pope, became God’s Banker.

Patron of Arts, Brunelleschi. Most visible family and patron of Florence.

sons Cosimo, Lorenzo.

Medici Popes

Giovanni de’ Medici (Leo X). He was highly opulent, needed money. Sells indulgences, starts Protestant Reformation.

Giulio de’ Medici (Clement VII). Inherited lots of problems from Giovanni. There for the sack of rome.

Big City-States

Milan

Naples

Florence

Rome

Venice