The Renaissance Out from Under the Dust 1

What is a Renaissance? Renaissance means A new birth A revival Refers to the revival of the Classical art, literature, philosophies, and practices of the Greek and Roman Empires 2

Italian Renaissance Originated in Florence Italy in the 14th century Why Italy? Why Florence? 3

Italian Renaissance Italy’s location along the Mediterranean made it a key trading area for Asian, Middle Eastern, and European traders. Italian merchants were wealthy by the time of the Black Plague, leaving them with excess cash and no market to sell to. Many turned to patronizing the arts 4

Italian Renaissance Why Florence? No one can say for sure Historian suggest that the Medici family’s decision to live in Florence brought the Renaissance to life Medici’s were bankers whose wealth supported a host of artists, sculptors, scientists, writers, etc. They ran the city and others followed their lead 5

Italian Renaissance After the collapse of Feudalism and the Manor system, serfs ran to the cities Italian cities were the first to grow in size due to their location to ports. The more people the greater the chance of finding a great artist 6

Italian Renaissance Art Artistic achievements: Focused on classical ideas Marble sculptures Realism Focus on the human form New Ideas: Perspective Shadows Beauty of nature and the human body 7

Renaissance versus Medieval art Renaissance art reflects classical ideas of the human form and nature while medieval art focuses on religious figures and biblical versus 8

Famous Renaissance Artists Leonardo Da Vinci True Renaissance Man who learned to do a variety of things during his life 9

Famous Artists Michelango Buonarotti David, Sistine Chapel 10

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Famous Artists Donatello David: bronze statue with the head of Goliath at his feet 12

Renaissance Artists Raphael Shadows Perspective 13

Renaissance Philosophy Greek and Roman manuscripts were translated in monastaries throughout Europe, leading to a rebirth of philosophical thoughts People are not as concerned about death and finding food, so they can focus on improvement 14

Humanism Method of learning developed in Renaissance Europe Focus on The genius of human thought Classical texts Poetry, grammar, ethics, rhetoric The idea that you should justify ideas and actions 15

Other beliefs of the Renaissance Justification of beliefs and values To see virtue and the possibilities in all people Scientific thoughts Sought to make people better human beings 16

Machiavelli Politician from Florence studied leadership and values of good leaders Wrote The Prince, a “how to” book for future leaders Also wrote a 15th century book about the Art of War 17

Renaissance Literature in England Shakespeare Tragedies much like the Greek classics Comedies as well Romance 18