THE RENAISSANCE 1300 - 1600
WHY DID THE RENAISSANCE HAPPEN? Christian Crusaders attempting to conquer the “Holy Land” (Jerusalem) and becoming exposed to new goods of the “far east” Mongols invading Asia pushing populations around and forcing new trade movements
WHY DID THE RENAISSANCE FIRST HAPPEN IN ITALY? Italian merchants were doing most of the trading with the Middle East Italy is the first stop on the way back from the Middle East Italy has the “leftovers” of the Roman Empire Italy has the wealth (through trade) to sponsor art and learning
MERCHANTS Wealthiest/powerful class & dominated politics Wealth based on success of their business Felt they deserved power based on achievements Florence, Italy ruled by MEDICI family (trade/banking merchants) for 30 years Medici family: major PATRON (supporter) of the arts
The Black Plague… Starts in Mongolia Carried along the Silk Road to the Middle East by merchants and travelers
The Black Plague… Caught by Italian merchants…who fled back to Italy trying to avoid the disease, and ended up spreading it throughout Europe
How did people fight it???
The Black Plague… Impact on Europe: Loss of population 1/3 of Europeans die 25 to 50 million….about 8 million per year Which social class was hit hardest? Loss of faith in the church…why? Loss of faith in feudal lords…why? Previous serfs now able demand higher wages and freedoms less power for the wealthy
RENAISSANCE BEGINNING Most people VERY religious, but too many suffering & dying! Started to pull away from Catholic Church Looking to SECULAR (worldly) ideals of the here and now vs. life after death Studied humanism
WHAT IS HUMANISM? Study of human potential & achievement
NEW ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES Renaissance is bringing back art & literature from Greek & Roman times known as “classical” In Italy, now painting/sculpting SECULAR arts, NOT RELIGIOUS arts more realistic people in classical settings Despite differences, both Renaissance and Medieval art still portray religious subjects
PERSPECTIVE 3 Dimensional Distant objects are smaller
SHADING Helps objects to look more realistic; 3-D look VS
SCULPTURES Study of human anatomy to paint & sculpt better More natural postures & expressions
NINJA TURTLES: DONATELLO DONATELLO: sculptor & painter; Revealed personality in his art One of 1st to do a nude statue First bronze statue, St. Louis of Toulouse
NINJA TURTLES: LEONARDO LEONARDO DA VINCI: painter, sculptor, inventor, & scientist a true “Renaissance Man” Mona Lisa The Last Supper Vitruvian Man
NINJA TURTLES: MICHELANGELO MICHELANGELO: sculptor & painter Sistine Chapel Statue of David
NINJA TURTLES: RAPHAEL RAPHAEL studied from Michelangelo & Leonardo; painter Madonna and Child School of Athens
RENAISSANCE WRITERS DESIDERIUS ERASMUS: In Praise of Folly – said to improve society, all should study Bible SIR THOMAS MORE: Utopia – imaginary land inhabited by peaceful people; no use for money; means “no place”, but in English means “ideal place”; no war, greed, corruption, starvation, etc
RENAISSANCE WRITERS, PART II WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Greatest playwright of all time: sonnets, plays, essays Romeo and Juliet Hamlet Othello Macbeth Midsummer Night’s Dream Julius Caesar King Lear
PRINTING SPREADS RENAISSANCE IDEAS Chinese 1st invent block printing JOHANN GUTENBERG: reinvents moveable type & comes up with printing press Gutenberg Bible: first full size book printed Came in English, French, and German VERNACULAR (own language) increased Can produce 100’s of copies Encouraged people to learn to read! RISE IN LITERACY & IDEAS SPREAD FASTER
NORTHERN RENAISSANCE VS. ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Northern Europe stayed more religious; Italy became more secular and moved faster North had more oil paintings, while south had more sculptures Both focused on the effects of art and learning in the new age
Crash Course Video The Renaissance: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=renaissance%20 video&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=renaissance%20video&sc =8-17&sp=- 1&sk=#view=detail&mid=541A4FB4E5D9B3D3E49B541A 4FB4E5D9B3D3E49B