The Renaissance
Contributions of the Renaissance WHAT? “Rebirth” of classical knowledge & “birth” of modern world WHEN? A.D. WHERE? Italian city-states of Florence, Venice & Genoa
Accomplishments in Art Perspective Perspective – 3 dimensions on a flat surface Realistic painting & sculpture Realistic painting & sculpture – Real people, natural poses & expression
Accomplishments in Literature Wrote in the vernacular Wrote in the vernacular – Native languages: French, German, English NOT Latin – Bible too New forms of writing developed New forms of writing developed – Sonnets, plays, & essays
Accomplishments in Ideas Humanism/Individualism Humanism/Individualism – Focused on worth & potential of human beings – Emphasized study of history, literature, & philosophy Secularism Secularism – Worldly life celebrated & not spiritual one – Led to religious tolerance
Medieval vs. Renaissance Art Medieval Renaissance ~ Appears flat~ 3D/perspective ~ Emotionless~ Emotional ~ Cartoon-like~ Lifelike,detailed ~ Focus on religion~ Use of religious & secular subjects
Medieval or Renaissance?
People of the Renaissance
Sculptor, Poet, Architect, Painter Sculptor, Poet, Architect, Painter Used a realistic style when depicting the human body Used a realistic style when depicting the human body Figures forceful & showed heroic grandeur Figures forceful & showed heroic grandeur Statue of David Statue of David – Influenced by classical statues Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – Painted while lying on his back scaffolding Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti
Leonardo da Vinci Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Scientist Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Scientist Filled notebooks with his observations & sketches Filled notebooks with his observations & sketches – Wrote them backwards The Mona Lisa The Mona Lisa – “Mona” means “Ma’am” & real name was Lisa Gherardini The Last Supper The Last Supper – Meant to show the personalities of Jesus’ disciples through facial expressions
William Shakespeare Playwright Playwright Plays had a masterful command of the English language, examined human flaws Plays had a masterful command of the English language, examined human flaws Plays Plays – MacBeth – Hamlet – Othello – Romeo and Juliet – King Lear
Desiderius Erasmus Humanist Writer Humanist Writer Believed in Christianity of the heart, not one full of ceremonies & rules Believed in Christianity of the heart, not one full of ceremonies & rules The Praise of Folly The Praise of Folly – Poked fun at greedy merchants, pompous priests, scholars & lovers
Francesco Petrarch Poet Poet One of the earliest & most influential humanists One of the earliest & most influential humanists Wrote sonnets in Italian & Latin Wrote sonnets in Italian & Latin
Johann Gutenberg Craftsman Craftsman Printing press Printing press – Made it possible to produce books quickly & cheaply – Increased literacy & spread ideas of Renaissance & Reformation across Europe First book was the Gutenberg Bible First book was the Gutenberg Bible
Raphael Artist Artist Younger than Michelangelo & da Vinci – learned from studying their works Younger than Michelangelo & da Vinci – learned from studying their works School of Athens School of Athens – Painted on the walls of Pope Julius’ library
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli Historian, author Historian, author The Prince The Prince – How a ruler can gain power & keep it in spite of his enemies – Not concerned with what was morally right, but what was politically effective
The Renaissance was very…A.R.T.I.S.T.I.C. A. Arrival (birth) of the modern world R. Rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman cultures T. The Renaissance started in Italian city-states I. Italian artists (Michelangelo, da Vinci) S. Sonnets, essays, plays (Shakespeare) T. The Renaissance spread to Northern Europe I. Individualism is stressed (humanism) C. Church corruption criticized (Erasmus— humanist)