The Renaissance The beginning of the Modern Period

A period of transition

Two Major Divisions of the Renaissance

The Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance (occurred first)

Focused on the city-states of northern Italy and Rome

The Italian Renaissance tended to be more worldly with a great emphasis on secular pursuits, the humanities, and the arts

Wealth and power Knowledge was the key

Often called the “Father” of Renaissance humanism The Italian poet,

Petrarch

The Northern Renaissance The Northern Renaissance occurred later

Involved the regions of Northern Europe England Spain France Germanic regions (Holy Roman Empire) The Netherlands

Northern Renaissance The spread of the Renaissance was delayed in

Northern Europe War and political unrest

Hundred Years’ War War of the Roses in Britain

Plague and famine

“renaissance” means rebirthThe Renaissance began a period of renewed interest and engagement with “classical” (Ancient Greece and Rome) learning, culture, literature, art, style, etc.

Major Themes of the Renaissance Humanism (both secular and religious)

Human potential, human progress, expansion of human knowledge

Secularism-greater emphasis on non-religious values and concerns

Individualism-focus on the unique qualities and abilities of the individual person

Major Historical Events of the Renaissance Period Age of Exploration (Period of European

Expansion) Protestant Reformation and the Religious

Wars Scientific Revolution- Rise of Modern

Science The Rise of the Modern Nation-state

Background of the Renaissance- High and Late Middle Ages Increased trade and commercial activity during the

High Middle Ages Urbanization-growth of cities and towns Commercial and business developments (banking) Middle class merchant elite developed Decline in feudalism A decline in the Church’s hold and control on

society and government Growth in vernacular literature/growing literacy Rise of universities and the expansion of learning

The Birthplace of the Renaissance The city-states of Northern Italy Florence was the center of the Renaissance Italy was politically fragmented and the city-states

often fought for power and control City-states came to be ruled by wealthy and

powerful business people (not necessarily nobility) Signori- (despots) and oligarchies (group of individuals)

maintained order

FlorenceMajor center of trade, banking, cloth production, and the arts

The Medici family of Florence The most powerful family of the Italian

Renaissance Came to power through business dealings and

banking Bank of the Vatican and the papacy Spent tremendous amounts of money supporting

the arts and cultural development (patrons) Medici power often involved corruption and

intrigue

The Medici Family

Medici Pope

“The Adoration of the Magi” depicts the Medici family

in procession -Celebration of Medici power and influence

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)The Prince Machiavelli was from Florence Well educated in the classics Career was in public service and he eventually

served as the ambassador to France Favored republican rule over despotism Machiavelli was tortured and imprisoned for a time

when Medici rule was reinstated after a conflict with a Spanish mercenary army

He retired to the country and wrote The Prince

The Prince Written in Italian (not Latin) Observations and commentary on political rule and power

(Medicis) Addressed the issue of effective rule

How to gain and maintain order and control Stressed the practical (pragmatic) over the ethical or moral

More secular and humanistic Challenged the idea of a social order based on God’s will Political science- Politics was to be governed by its own laws “…it is safer to be feared than to be loved…”

The Courtier by Castiglione 1528 Written in Italian Treatise on the training of young men in the

courtly ideal of a Renaissance gentleman Stressed the value of education and manners Influenced social mores and norms during the

period

The Renaissance spread to Northern Europe

Focus of the Northern Renaissance The focus of the Renaissance in Northern Europe

was more religious Many sought religious reform and a return of the

Church to its true mission and spirituality Many were highly critical of the worldliness and

corruption in the Church and papacy Northern Renaissance figures believed that

education and literacy were key to social and religious reform

Advocated the translation of the scriptures into the vernacular languages

Major figures of the Northern Renaissance

Desiderius Erasmus –scholar and theologian

The Praise of Folly Criticism of the abuses and

worldliness of the Church and papacy

Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of

Henry VIII- highest political office in England Lawyer and scholar Wrote Utopia – explored the idea of a “perfect”

society Eventually executed by Henry VIII for refusing to

agree to the king and Parliament’s Act of Supremacy

Utopia

Martin Luther Associated with the

Protestant Reformation Critical of Church

corruption and abuses Sought reform Wrote the first

translation of the Bible in German

Renaissance Art A reflection of Renaissance ideals and values

Emphasis on the classical style and classical themes

Humanistic - with an emphasis on the individual

Religious art remained very important

Characteristics of Renaissance ArtRealism

Three-dimensional

Balanced and ordered

Portraits

Landscapes and attention to depictions of nature

Classical style

Depiction of classical themes and stories

Humanism: The School of Athens by Raphael- a celebration of classical learning

Individualism –Portraits -portraits celebrated the unique qualities and personality of the individual person (two examples by Leonardo da Vinci)

Secularism-non-religious Renaissance art often depicted stories and scenes from classical literature

Religion remained a major focal point of Renaissance art -The Sistine Chapel-Michelangelo

Michelangelo’s Pieta

Northern Renaissance Art

Albrecht Durer

Hans Holbein

Bruegel

Major innovations of the Renaissance

Printing Press 1455 Moveable type printing Developed in Germany Associated with Gutenburg 1456 the first Gutenburg Bible was printed Printing press allowed for the spread of

knowledge and ideas throughout Europe

The Clock The idea of quantification developed The universe came to be conceived in more

quantifiable terms (measurable terms) Allowed for more precise measurements Changed the focus of daily life which had

been guided by the rhythms of the Church

The Renaissance brought a new way of thinking and living to Europe

A new worldview was emerging

The medieval Christian worldview was giving way to a more MODERN (secular and humanistic) view of the world and humanity