Aim: What were the greatest achievements of the Italian Renaissance? The renaissance was the rebirth of Western Europe (15 – 16th centuries). At the end of the Middle Ages, Europeans looked to the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome for inspiration in art, literature, science, and philosophy. I need to wake up!

I How did the Renaissance begin? The renaissance began in the Italian city-state of Florence. 1. Ancient Roman ruins were a reminder of ancient Rome. 2. Florence and Venice developed trade empires in the Middle Ages. 3. The Medici family were powerful Florentine bankers. They used their wealth to finance art, infrastructure, libraries, and astronomical observatories! 4. Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1445  faster spread of ideas. Lorenzo de Medici

The Italian City-States During the Renaissance

II Humanism Humanism was a philosophy that was the heart of the Renaissance. Humanists believed that humans are rational and moral. Studied classical art and literature (ancient Greek and Roman) Believed in a well-rounded education, including the arts, science, history, and philosophy. Religion was still important, but art and literature can also focus on secular (non-religious) themes Petrarch is the “Father of Humanism”. It is important “… to read what our forerunners have written and to write what later generations may wish to read…and to hand them down to our grandchildren as objects of veneration…”

III Renaissance Art vs. Medieval Art Religious in theme Some Renaissance art was religious, but often painted in a classical style (similar to ancient Greek or Roman art). Flat (2-D). Used perspective (art technique that creates illusion of 3D; making distant objects appear smaller) People fully clothed. Lacked detail. Realistic, detailed. Some nudes and portraits made.

Name the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

IV Italian Renaissance Art A) Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) Painter, sculptor, engineer, and inventor. Dissected corpses to learn about human anatomy (he secretly dug them up) .

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, 15th centrury Some art historians believe that it was the portrait of Francesco del Giacondo’s wife, a Florentine noble.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, 1498

Last Supper Perspective vertical horizontal

Leonardo da Vinci’s Vetruvian Man, 1492 Vetruvian Man shows us how Leonardo understood the proportions of the human body. “Each separate part was a simple fraction of the whole. For example, the head measured from the forehead to the chin was exactly one tenth of the total height, and the outstretched arms were always as wide as the body was tall.” – bbc.com

Donatello’s David, 1440 The David by Donatello was the first free form sculpture since Ancient Rome!

Michelangelo 1475 - 1564 Michelangelo was a painter, sculptor, and engineer. He painted the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling between 1508 and 1512, under the patronage of Pope Julius II.

Michelangelo’s Pieta, 1499

Michelangelo’s David, 1504

Michelangelo’s David Continued…

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, 1508 - 1512

Sistine Chapel Details

Sistine Chapel Details

Raphael (1483 – 1520) Self Portrait, 1506

Raphael’s School of Athens, 1511

Raphael’s School of Athens Details Plato and Aristotle were great ancient Athenian philosophers. Plato is pointing to the heavens, symbolizing his belief that reality lies beyond the physical world. Aristotle’s hand is towards the earth, as he believed knowledge is gained from observing the physical world.

V Italian Renaissance Architecture Filippo Brunelleschi (1377 – 1436) engineered the largest dome in the world for the Cathedral of Florence.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome Designed by Michelangelo, dome completed 1590

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome

VI Machiavelli 1469 - 1527 Machiavelli was a Florentine diplomat and humanist, wrote The Prince, a guide on how to rule. “…I say that every prince ought to desire to be considered clement [moderate] and not cruel... Upon this a question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved?... It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, is much safer to be feared than loved... Because… friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by greatness or nobility of mind… in time of need cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple [regret] in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which… is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.”

Summary Questions Why and how did the Renaissance start in Florence? a) What was humanism? b) How was humanism different from western European medieval beliefs? 3. Choose any TWO works of Italian Renaissance art or architecture. a) List the title and the painter/sculptor/engineer b) Describe it in some detail. What do you see when you look at it? c) How do you know that it was made during the Renaissance? (Is it realistic? Is it religious or secular?...) 4. Read the excerpt of Machiavelli’s The Prince. What is his advice? Do you agree with his advice?

Key Vocabulary Brunelleschi’s Dome Raphael (The School of Athens) Donatello (The David) Renaissance Humanism St. Peter’s Basilica Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa, Last Supper, Vetruvian Man) Machiavelli (The Prince) Medici Family Michelangelo (The David, The Pieta, Sistine Chapel)