The Renaissance and Reformation Chapter 6 section 1 p. 154-160

Key terms Renaissance- the period of the rebirth of learning in Europe between about 1300-1600 Humanism- a system of thought that focuses on the nature, ideals, and achievements of human beings, rather than on the divine (God) Reformation- the effort to change or reform the Roman Catholic Church, which led to the establishment of Protestant churches Protestant- referring to Christian religions that grew out of the Reformation

Renaissance Means rebirth. This period of time saw a reawakening of interest in art, literature, and science, as well as in the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. Began in Northern Italy People in Italy lived in City-States: cities that were both cities and independent states. They had their own governments and were not as closely controlled by nobles or the church. Instead wealthy families and merchants held power. They also controlled trade with Asia.

Italian City-States

Renaissance Because Italy was at the center of this international trade it exposed Italian city-states to other cultures and ideas. Because of wealth from trade, some Italians had time to think, to read, and to create and enjoy art. The wealthy became great supporters of scholarships and the arts. They were called patrons (of the arts). By 1430 Florence Italy, ruled by the Medici family, had become a center for the arts.

Medici Chapels

Florence, Italy

Renaissance Old ideas and new ideas- The Renaissance helped scholars and artists of Italy to look at life in a new way. 1. they looked back to ancient Greece and Rome. The literature, science, architecture, and art inspired them to focus on the achievements of people. 2. Humanism- a system of thought that focuses on the nature, ideals, and achievements of human beings, rather than on the divine (God). 3. The ideal of this new era meant someone with talent and achievements in many fields instead of just one was called a Renaissance Man.

Humanism in art

Renaissance Northern Renaissance- was a culture of rebirth that occurred somewhat later in northern Europe. In the early 1400s artists traveled north and developed a distinctive Flemish style of painting. By the 1450s new cities in the north were the center of the northern Renaissance.

Renaissance Artist Artist of the Middle Ages did not paint people or nature. Their goal was to celebrate God, the saints, and the Church. The artists of the Renaissance studied and copied the more realistic art of ancient Greece and Rome. Artists of the Renaissance also painted realistic portraits of important people including their patrons.

Mona Lisa

Renaissance Artist Art meets Science- many artists studied the bones and muscles of the body. Some artists even studied dead bodies to learn about anatomy. (Da Vinci) The also used new techniques called perspective to make objects and landscapes look more realistic. This caused things to be 3-dimensional. They learned to use light and shadow to make objects look solid.

Renaissance Artist Leonardo da Vinci- was known for his paintings, but he only did a few. He painted the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper, and other famous works. Michelangelo- was also one of the most famous artists. He sculpted marble, painted the Sistine Chapel in Rome, was a poet, and an architect.

Leonardo da Vinci

Michelangelo Sistine Chapel

The Protestant Reformation In 1517 a German monk named Martin Luther began to criticize the Church. He posted a list of his complaints on the door of the church, which was the custom in Wittenberg Germany. This act is regarded as the beginning of the Reformation- an effort to reform or improve the Catholic Church.

The Protestant Reformation Luther’s Beliefs- He believed that people did not need popes or the church to tell them what God wanted them to do. He thought faith in God and common sense was the key to a proper life. Luther also thought that ordinary people could understand the Bible for themselves. He translated into German so that others could read it. He felt that buying indulgences, or the exchange of money to be forgiven of sins, was something the church had no power to do.

The Protestant Reformation Martin Luther’s ideas spread. In Germany priests, nobles, and ordinary people rallied behind him. They also thought the Church was corrupt and needed to change. Due to a revolution in technology in Germany with the invention of the moveable type printing press, many copies of Luther’s bible were printed and distributed. This helped to spread Luther’s writing across Europe. Most people in Germany by 1546 were Lutheran, followers of Luther’s teaching.

The Protestant Reformation Soon people in much of northern Europe held views similar to Luther’s. They created their own Christian Churches, free of Roman Catholic control. They came to be called protestant churches because they grew out of protest against the power and abuses of the Roman Catholic Church.