Italian Renaissance

Setting the Stage During the late Middle Ages, Europeans suffered from both war and plague. Those that survived, questioned the Church and also the structures of medieval society that blocked social advancement. Many began to look to the classical past for ideas. During the late Middle Ages, Europeans suffered from both war and plague. Those that survived, questioned the Church and also the structures of medieval society that blocked social advancement. Many began to look to the classical past for ideas.

Italy’s Advantages The years 1300 to 1600 saw an explosion of creativity in Europe called the Renaissance. – Renaissance: Rebirth of art and learning Began in Northern Italy and later spread North. Italy had three advantages that fostered the Renaissance: – Thriving Cities – Wealthy Merchant Class – Classical heritage of Greece and Rome The years 1300 to 1600 saw an explosion of creativity in Europe called the Renaissance. – Renaissance: Rebirth of art and learning Began in Northern Italy and later spread North. Italy had three advantages that fostered the Renaissance: – Thriving Cities – Wealthy Merchant Class – Classical heritage of Greece and Rome

Causes more trade between Europe and Islamic Empire preservation of Greco-Roman knowledge by Byzantines and Muslims more trade = more money more trade between Europe and Islamic Empire preservation of Greco-Roman knowledge by Byzantines and Muslims more trade = more money

Why Italy? center of trade routes attachment to classical (Roman) traditions prosperous city-states Florence, Venice, Rome center of trade routes attachment to classical (Roman) traditions prosperous city-states Florence, Venice, Rome

Merchants Merchants were the wealthiest, most powerful class and they dominated politics. –Unlike Nobles, merchants did not inherit social rank. Success in business depended mostly on their own wits. – Individual achievement was to become an important Renaissance theme. Merchants were the wealthiest, most powerful class and they dominated politics. –Unlike Nobles, merchants did not inherit social rank. Success in business depended mostly on their own wits. – Individual achievement was to become an important Renaissance theme.

Classical Heritage Renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the Middle Ages. They wanted to return to the learning of the Greeks and Romans. One reason the Renaissance began in Italy is that artists drew inspiration from the ruins of Rome that surrounded them. Renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the Middle Ages. They wanted to return to the learning of the Greeks and Romans. One reason the Renaissance began in Italy is that artists drew inspiration from the ruins of Rome that surrounded them.

Classics Lead to Humanism The study of classical texts led to Humanism, which focused on human potential and achievements. –Instead of trying to make it agree with Christian teaching like Medieval scholars, humanists studied them to understand ancient Greek values. –Made popular the study of subjects such as history, literature and philosophy which are called Humanities. The study of classical texts led to Humanism, which focused on human potential and achievements. –Instead of trying to make it agree with Christian teaching like Medieval scholars, humanists studied them to understand ancient Greek values. –Made popular the study of subjects such as history, literature and philosophy which are called Humanities.

Enjoying Life Humanists suggested that a person could enjoy life without offending God. –In Renaissance Italy, the wealthy openly enjoyed material luxuries, fine music and tasty foods. Secular -- concerned with the here and now.Most people remained devout Catholics, however, the basic spirit of Renaissance society was Secular -- concerned with the here and now. Humanists suggested that a person could enjoy life without offending God. –In Renaissance Italy, the wealthy openly enjoyed material luxuries, fine music and tasty foods. Secular -- concerned with the here and now.Most people remained devout Catholics, however, the basic spirit of Renaissance society was Secular -- concerned with the here and now.

Renaissance Revolutionizes Art As the Renaissance advanced, artistic styles changed. – New Techniques: Sculpture was made more realistic by carving natural postures and expressions that reveal personality. Artists rediscovered the technique of perspective, which creates the appearance of three dimensions. As the Renaissance advanced, artistic styles changed. – New Techniques: Sculpture was made more realistic by carving natural postures and expressions that reveal personality. Artists rediscovered the technique of perspective, which creates the appearance of three dimensions.

Key People Niccolo Machiavelli Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Petrarch Niccolo Machiavelli Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Petrarch

Patrons Wealthy people who sponsored art Showed high social status Wealthy people who sponsored art Showed high social status

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince – handbook for princes on ruling supported absolute power end justifies the means try to do good, evil if needed wrote The Prince – handbook for princes on ruling supported absolute power end justifies the means try to do good, evil if needed

Leonardo da Vinci artist, scientist, inventor painted Mona Lisa and The Last Supper “Renaissance man” artist, scientist, inventor painted Mona Lisa and The Last Supper “Renaissance man”

Mona Lisa Why is this painting so famous?

The Last Supper

horizontal vertical Perspective! The Last Supper - da Vinci, 1498

Michelangelo artist – painter and sculptor painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel sculpted David artist – painter and sculptor painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel sculpted David

Sistine Chapel

Fresco Last Judgment back wall Fresco Last Judgment back wall

The Sistine Chapel Details The Last Judgment

David

Petrarch poet and scholar love sonnets inspired poetry in Romeo and Juliet humanist writings poet and scholar love sonnets inspired poetry in Romeo and Juliet humanist writings

The School of Athens – Raphael, Raphael Da Vinci Michelangelo

Raphael Painter