Italian Renaissance

Renaissance “rebirth” cultural awakening in Europe started in Italy about 1350 – 1600

Causes more trade between Europe and Islamic Empire preservation of Greco-Roman knowledge by Byzantines and Muslims more trade = more money

Why Italy? center of trade routes attachment to classical (Roman) traditions prosperous city-states Florence, Venice, Rome

New Ideas individualism – emphasis on person as individual rather than part of a group secularism – focus on worldly themes instead of religious

Key People Niccolo Machiavelli Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Petrarch

Patrons Wealthy people who sponsored art Showed high social status

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince – handbook for princes on ruling supported absolute power end justifies the means try to do good, evil if needed

Leonardo da Vinci artist, scientist, inventor painted Mona Lisa and The Last Supper “Renaissance man”

Mona Lisa Why is this painting so famous?

The Last Supper

The Last Supper - da Vinci, 1498 vertical horizontal Perspective!

Michelangelo artist – painter and sculptor painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel sculpted David

Sistine Chapel

Sistine Chapel 1508-1512 Fresco Last Judgment back wall 1536-1541

The Sistine Chapel Details The Last Judgment

David

Petrarch poet and scholar love sonnets inspired poetry in Romeo and Juliet humanist writings

The School of Athens – Raphael, 1510 -11 Da Vinci Raphael Michelangelo

Raphael Painter 1483-1520