Renaissance and Humanism Individual Research Work

1. Find out what the words Renaissance and Humanism mean? French – Renaissance English – rebirth, revival Italian – Rinascimento (term used by Vasari in 16th century, painter, architect, historian) Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects) cultural movement - educational reform painting – linear perspective revival of classical ancient sources (esp. Plato)

Humanism Intellectual movement - connected to rediscovery of ancient literary, historical and theological sources studia humanitatis – grammar, rhetoric, moral philosophy, poetry and history humanist – originally a teacher of classical Latin literature (later simply a scholar or teacher or a student who occupied himself with studia hum.)

2. What are some of the characteristic features of the Renaissance? 1. individualism 2. focus on man rather than God 3. Antiquity is the center of attention 4. science and art development 5. realism in art and literature 6. secularization of art 7. collecting, patronage 8. economical revival 9. explorations 10. rise of communes (esp. Italy) 11. criticism of the Church

3. Where did the Renaissance first occur and when? Northern Italy in 1300s

4. Why do you think the Renaissance first occured there and not somewhere else? a) N. Italy – one of the wealthiest regions in Europe b) permanent trade with the Levant (Genoa, Venice) c) rich agricultural land of the Po valley d) the Meditteranean – channels of culture e) influx of Greek refugees – scholars after 1453 f) revived Academy in Florence (Cosimo de' Medici)

g) rise of urban communes – independent of the Church and barons h) growing class of merchants, bankers and skilled artisans i) patricians became wealthier than nobility j) they invested a lot of money into art and education

5. What cities are considered to be centers of the Renaissance? Florence, Venice, Rome

6. Find out something about the Medici family of Florence. 1. Cosimo de' Medici – the founder of the dynasty was actually a king w/o the title, very successful politician, patron of art (Florence had been a republic since 1115, ruled by a council that was appointed by a ruler who was elected every two months by guild members)

the Medici family 2. they were famous bankers – Medici bank was one of the largest in 15th century Europe 3. the family produced 4 popes 4. In 1531 they became hereditary rulers of Florence

7. Who were Petrarch and Boccacio? They were both philosophers, translators, poets, humanists. Petrarch is famous for his Sonnets Boccacio is famous for his Decameron

8. Look up at least five Renaissance painters and their works? 1. L. da Vinci – Mona Lisa, the Last Supper 2. S. Botticelli – The Birth of Venus 3. Michelangelo – the Sixtine Chapel frescoes 4. Rafaello – The School of Athens 5. A. Durer – Adam and Eve, Self-Portrait 6. Giotto 7. Verrocchio 8. Hieronymus Bosch 9. Hans Holbein 10. Lucas Cranach (2)