The Renaissance

The Renaissance How can we describe the Renaissance as a movement of “rediscovery”? What were some of the significant innovations of the age?

The Early Modern Period “Early Modern”? (ca. 1500-1800) Followed Middle Ages What was happening in Europe? Movement toward secular state Divided Western Christianity Growing emphasis on science World becoming more global, more dominated by Europe

Origins and Humanism The Renaissance “Rebirth” of culture and heritage of Greco-Roman antiquity Italian Origins Wealth Remnants and ruins of ancient world

Origins and Humanism Humanism Emphasized study of form and content of classical learning Goal: recapture culture of ancient world  improvement of individuals and society Interests of Humanists: classical languages and documents, liberal arts “Ad fontes!”

Origins and Humanism Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) Renowned humanist Hated Middle Ages! Encouraged revival of classical studies Wrote in classical Latin Searched for ancient manuscripts

Origins and Humanism Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Florentine chancellor Met important international leaders  “experience” The Prince (1513) Manual for despots Prince might have to be immoral Lion and the fox “Virtue” in politics is ambiguous!

Origins and Humanism Questions?

Italian Art and Architecture Medieval Traditions Spiritual iconography Paintings influenced by Byzantine style Stiff, solemn figures Shallow, flat space Golden skies! Gothic architecture Madonna and Child (early 13th cent.)

Italian Art and Architecture Chartres Cathedral (1145-1220), France

Italian Art and Architecture Renaissance Goals Imitate nature Revive classical idealism, architectural motifs Capture sense of individual Emotion Portraiture Polykleitos, Doryphoros (ca. 450 BC)

Italian Art and Architecture Linear Perspective Goal: create illusion of 3D Observations of artists Parallel lines “converge” as they recede into the distance Objects’ sizes vary depending on distance from viewer

Italian Art and Architecture By Giotto, Arena Chapel (1304-06)

Italian Art and Architecture Giotto’s The Lamentation, Arena Chapel

Italian Art and Architecture Donatello’s David (1428-1432) Bronze First freestanding, life-sized nude since antiquity Renaissance traits Classical nude male Movement Calm, ideal beauty

Italian Art and Architecture Leonardo’s The Last Supper (ca. 1495-98) Mural Subject: announcement of coming betrayal of Christ Renaissance traits: individuality, psychology

Italian Art and Architecture Leonardo’s The Mona Lisa (1503-05) Portrait of Florentine merchant’s wife Donna Lisa Individualized, yet idealized! Ambiguous smile!

Italian Art and Architecture

Italian Art and Architecture Leonardo’s Embryo in the Womb (ca. 1510) Leonardo’s The Virtruvian Man (1490)

Italian Art and Architecture Michelangelo’s David (1501-04) Huge! Renaissance traits Pent-up energy Visage is tense, psychological insight Demonstrates knowledge of human body

Italian Art and Architecture Michelangelo’s vaulted Ceiling, Sistine Chapel (1508-12)

Italian Art and Architecture The Creation of Adam (1508-12)

Italian Art and Architecture Detail: Christ as Judge, the Virgin Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment (1534-41)

Italian Art and Architecture Raphael, The School of Athens (1510-11)

Italian Art and Architecture Guess who?

Italian Art and Architecture Façade of S. Andrea, Mantua (ca. 1470) Architect: Alberti Temple front Triumphal arch

Italian Art and Architecture Dome, Florence Cathedral (1420-1436) Cathedral’s construction began ca. 1296 Engineering problems  no dome! Brunelleschi (1377-1446) Student of classical architecture Resolved engineering problems Created most celebrated dome since antiquity!

Italian Art and Architecture Questions?

The Northern Renaissance

The Northern Renaissance The Printing Press Moveable lead type developed ca. 1450 Attributed to Johann Gutenberg Can now print many copies of a book Huge impact on Europe Ideas spread rapidly Increased literacy Books now cheaper

The Northern Renaissance Northern Humanism Classics “Christian Humanism” Religious reform

The Northern Renaissance Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) Dutch “Prince of Humanists” Projects Praise of Folly (1511) Critical edition of Greek New Testament (1516)

The Northern Renaissance Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) English lawyer, lord chancellor Very spiritual English Humanist Wrote history Utopia (1516)

The Northern Renaissance Northern Art Interest in oil painting Vibrant color Minute detail Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) Portrait of Italian banker, his betrothed Detail and depth Spiritual symbolism

The Northern Renaissance William Shakespeare (ca. 1564-1616) Playwright, London Greatest English writer Many plays set in Roman, English past

The Northern Renaissance

The Northern Renaissance Questions?

The Renaissance How can we describe the Renaissance as a movement of “rediscovery”? What were some of the significant innovations of the age?

Primary Source Petrarch’s To Posterity What kind of a source? What do we learn about Petrarch’s attitude toward the Middle Ages? What kinds of references to antiquity do we find here, and the study of antiquity? What important events from his life did he describe?

Primary Source Machiavelli’s The Prince What kind of source? What does the term “Machiavellian” mean? What did Machiavelli describe here that was “Machiavellian”? What kinds of references to the ancient world did he make? What do we learn about his knowledge of events of his own time (his “own experience”)?

Primary Source Vasari on Giotto and Leonardo Who was the author? What kind of source? How can we best describe the tone of the writing, his feelings toward these two artists? What do we learn about Giotto and Leonardo?

Primary Source Erasmus’s In Praise of Folly What type of writing was this, and its goal? What did Erasmus have to say about… The theologians? The monks and friars? The prelates of the Church?