-The Renaissance- 1350 - 1600

I. During the Renaissance there was a rebirth of interest in learning, arts, literature, and science

II. The Renaissance began in Italy A. Ruins of Ancient Rome dotted the countryside

B. Italian cities became centers of trade B. Italian cities became centers of trade. (Genoa, Florence, Naples, Venice) 1. Merchants in these cities were wealthy and influential 2. They used their wealth to promote arts and literature

C. The Medicis 1. A famous family from Florence who were tremendous patrons of the arts 2. Lorenzo de Medici was the most famous

III. Humanism – Philosophy of the Renaissance A. The humanists based education on classical Greek and Roman culture B. The Humanities – Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, and history

C. Emphasis was placed on individual achievement

D. Focus was on worldly, rather than religious issues E. Francesco Petrarch organized many classical texts 1. His work set off a wave of classical research

IV. Renaissance Authors A. Baldassare Castiglione – The Book of Courtier 1. Stressed education, manners, and well-rounded skills

B. Niccolo Machiavelli – The Prince 1. This work described government as it realistically worked 2. It was a guide for rulers who wanted to maintain power

V. Renaissance Art A. Renaissance art differed from medieval art 1. Medieval art stressed religious themes

B. Renaissance art demonstrated classical Greek and Roman influences 1. They depicted real and lifelike human figures 2. Backgrounds of paintings showed the countryside they were familiar with C. Renaissance artists developed the technique of perspective which created the illusion of depth