Renaissance Beginnings

1. Renaissance Beginnings

2. Transition From Middle Ages • During the Middle Ages, Europeans suffered from both war & plague • A small group of those who survived wanted to enjoy life • As a result, they questioned the Church, which taught Christians to endure suffering… • To get a heavenly reward • They also questioned the structure of medieval society, which blocked social advancement • Educated people gradually began to reject medieval values… • And look to the classical past for ideas

3. Renaissance Hits Italy • The years 1300 to 1600 saw an explosion of creativity called the Renaissance • Renaissance means “rebirth” • In this case rebirth was in art & learning • The Renaissance started in northern Italy around 1300 & would later spread North • One reason that Northern Europe was behind was because… • France & England were locked in the Hundred Years’ War • Italy also had three advantages: • 1. Thriving Cities (center of trade) • 2. Rich merchant class (from trade) • 3. Classical heritage of Rome

4. City-States • Overseas trade, spurred by the Crusades, had led to the Growth of large city-states in N. Italy • City-States were large, independent areas • Italy was urban, while the rest of Europe was very rural • Cities were great places to exchange ideas & have an intellectual revolution • The bubonic plague struck these cities hard, killing up to 60% of population • This brought economic changes • Because there were fewer laborers, survivors could demand higher wages • With less business opportunities, wealthy merchants began to pursue art

5. New Class Takes Power • Milan, Florence, & other Italian city-states ran their own affairs • Each collected taxes & had its own army • Because city-states were relatively small (compared to countries)… • Many citizens were able to participate in politics • Merchants were the wealthiest, most powerful class & dominated politics • Merchants didn’t inherit wealth like nobles, so they’re intelligence/ability were positives in govt. • Individual achievement became an important part of the Renaissance

6. Medici • Florence came under the rule of one powerful family, the Medici • They made their fortune in trade & banking • Cosimo Medici was the wealthiest European at the time • In 1434, he won control of Florence’s govt. • He didn’t seek office himself, but influenced members of the ruling council by giving them loans • When Medici died, his grandson took over • Although, Medici form of govt. wasn’t exactly democratic, they aided the Renaissance by supporting the arts

7. Greek & Roman Culture • Renaissance scholars looked down on the art & literature of the Middle Ages • They wanted to return to the learning of the Greeks & Romans • One reason the Renaissance began in Italy… • Is that artists & scholars drew inspiration from the Roman influence that surrounded them • They were also able to study ancient Greek manuscripts when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 • As scholars studied the Greek works… • they became increasingly influenced by classical ideas

8. Humanism • These ideas helped them to develop a new outlook on life, which had several characteristics • The study of classical texts led to humanism • HUMANISM= focus on human potential & achievements • They didn’t worry about trying to make the ancient text agree with Medieval Christian ideals • In the Middle Ages, some religious people had to prove their faith by wearing rough clothing & eating plain foods • Humanists argued one could enjoy life without offending God

9. Humanistic View of Life • In Renaissance Italy, the wealthy enjoyed material luxuries, fine music, & wonderful food • Most people remained devout Catholics • However, the basic spirit of the Renaissance was secular • Secular = worldly & concerned with here & now (not religious) • Even church leaders became worldly • They lived in beautiful mansions, threw lavish banquets, & wore expensive clothes

10. Patrons of the Renaissance • In addition to seeking pleasure, Renaissance popes beautified Rome by spending huge amounts of $ on art • Popes & wealthy families became patrons • Patrons = financially supported artists • The Medici family were very important patrons • By having their portraits painted in exchange for $... • Or by donating art to the city, patrons made their mark on the Renaissance

11. Renaissance Men • Renaissance writers first introduced the idea that some people were artistic geniuses • A man who excelled in many fields was praised as a “universal man” • Later ages called these people “Renaissance men” • Leonardo da Vinci is often considered the typical “Renaissance man” • He excelled at painting, sculpting, writing, & inventing, among other things • A book called The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione taught how to become a Renaissance men • He thought a man should be charming, witty, well educated in the classics • He should also dance, play music, & be an athlete

12. Renaissance Women • According to The Courtier, upper-class women also should know the classics & be charming • However, they shouldn’t seek fame • They were supposed to inspire art, not create it (muses) • Upper-class women were far more educated compared to women of the Middle Ages • However, most Renaissance women had less influence than Medieval (Middle Age) women