Download
1 / 26
260 likes | 385 Views
The Renaissance. The term Renaissance means rebirth and is used to denote the period of European history dating from c. 1350 – 1600 . The era was distinguished by renewed interest in:. learning. the individual. the natural world. During the middle ages Find God
E N D
The term Renaissance means rebirth and is used to denote the period of European history dating from c. 1350 – 1600. The era was distinguished by renewed interest in: learning the individual the natural world • During the middle ages • Find God • Prove pre-conceived ideas • During the Renaissance • Find man • Promote learning
"The Renaissance gave birth to the modern era, in that it was in this era that human beings first began to think of themselves as individuals. In the early Middle Ages, people had been happy to see themselves simply as parts of a greater whole – for example, as members of a great family, trade guild, nation, or Church. This communal consciousness of the Middle Ages gradually gave way to the individual consciousness of the Renaissance." – McGrath, Alister, In the Beginning, Anchor Books (2001), p.38.
The Renaissance originated in Italy for a variety of reasons. It had been the center of Roman civilization. Nostalgia for lost glory. Feudalism was not as firmly entrenched there. Rising middle class. The people were in contact with many cultures. Greek scholars had fled to Italy. Economic prosperity encouraged artistic endeavors and intellectual progress. • Major Italian city centers of the Period: • Venice: Republic ruled by an oligarchy • Milan: controlled by the Visconti and Sforza families • Florence (Tuscany): Republic ruled by the Medici • Papal States: Ruled by the Pope • Kingdom of Naples: Ruled by the King of Aragon (Spain)
Florence • Medici's—family of physicians • Money in banking • Financed wool trade • Became de facto rulers of Florence • Cosimo de Medici • Advanced arts and education • Piero de Medici • Continued father’s tradition of patronage of the arts • Lorenzo de Medici • Poet • Friend of Michelangelo • Rebuilt University of Pisa • Continued to invite scholars to Florence • Piero de Medici • Made military and commercial concessions to France • Medici’s forced out of the city
Savonarola • Friar who decried money, power • Gained power in lower class, but lost pope’s support • Excommunicated and hung • Pico dellaMirandola • Close friend of Lorenzo Medici • Brilliant and well educated • Wrote set of 900 theses to cover all knowledge • Believed human learning was based on basic truths • Wrote On Dignity of Man
Humanism • Pursuit of individualism • Recognition that humans are creative • Appreciation of art as a product of man • Basic culture needed for all • Life could be enjoyable • Love of the classical past
Humanism The study of Classical Greek and Latin texts was the basis for humanism Early humanists copied the Classical idea of seeking fulfillment in daily life. This replaces the idea that little comfort should be expected from the secular world. The belief that each individual has dignity and value arises from early humanist writings
Ideal Man Humanists determined that the ideal person was one who pursued a variety of endeavors such as: politics sports literature the Arts music the Sciences
Education Schools and universities were established in order to help individuals achieve the classical ideal Subjects taught included: History Philosophy Latin Greek
Early Writings Humanists wrote about the daily life and feelings of people. Petrarch is considered the father of humanism when he states that secular glories do not mean a break with God. Benvenuto Cellini, a goldsmith and sculptor, writes one of the earliest autobiographies. Niccolo Machiavelli writes the first political science text.
Artistic changes that appear in the Renaissance: • Realism • Perspective • Classical (pagan) themes • Geometrical arrangement of figures • Light and shadowing (chiaroscuro) • Softening of edges (sfumato) • Backgrounds • Artist able to live on commissions
Artistic Achievements Humanist emphasis on individual achievements spurs artistic attempts. Italian artists express their own values and emotions in their art. Subjects begin to appear lifelike even though subject matter remains spiritual in nature. Secular topics gain acceptance as subjects New techniques are developed such as: perspective anatomical studies and dissections emotional and performance studies
Architecture Italian architects return to classical styles and avoid the large arches and spires and replace them with columns and domes Filipo Brunelleschi designs and oversees the construction of the Florence Cathedral (1419-1436 ). The dome of the cathedral will be the first dome constructed in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire.
Sculpture Freestanding marble and bronze statues, resembling Classical Greek and Roman works, begin to be produced. Donatello will be the first to cast a large, freestanding bronze statue since the fall of Rome.
Painting Medieval, symbolic, style of painting replaced by an increasing use of realism. Realism first appears in the mid 1300s when Giotto shows human emotions in a series of frescoes . Masaccio uses light and shadow to increase the sense of realism. Brunelleschi develops linear perspective in 1415. da Vinci masters the use of realism to display personality traits as well as the thoughts and feelings of the subjects.
da Vinci Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani (Lady with an Ermine)1483-90 da Vinci Virgin of the Rocks1483-86
The Granduca Madonna1504 St George and the Dragon1505-06
Spread of the Renaissance French invasion of Italy in 1494 is the catalyst for the movement of the Renaissance ideas into the rest of Europe Italian merchants, bankers, and traders living throughout Europe set lifestyle example that is copied. European artists travel to study with Italian masters The printing press allows for the rapid and inexpensive distribution of ideas throughout Europe. As the Renaissance enters new areas it is changed and evolves. The Northern Renaissance is more religious in tone and content. Christian Humanism attempts to expose church corruptions and restore piety. This will lead to the Reformation
