Renaissance

Main Ideas The Renaissance began as people became confident in the future and less focused on basic survival. The Renaissance sparked a renewed interest in Ancient Greek and Roman ideas, which were particularly familiar to Italians. Artists and scholars found the financial and cultural support they needed to flourish in Italy’s wealthy, urban cities. In turn, Italy became the cultural center of the European Renaissance.

Main Ideas The Italian states gained immense wealth through trade and operated independently of one another. Florence was the first major center of the Renaissance and gained its wealth by trading cloth and lending money. Venice, another important state, served as a trade link between Europe and Asia. Marco Polo was an important Venice merchant who wrote about his travel adventures through China, spurring European interest in Chinese goods.

Main Ideas The nobles of Europe began moving to cities and developing ties with wealthy merchants. Though the governments of many states were led by one ruler, merchants held the real power. In many cases, a council of wealthy merchants passed laws and elected the state’s leader. Political affairs in the states were complex; leaders relied on diplomacy to negotiate peace with their neighbors.

Goods traded by the Italian states included: Chinese silk Indian spices Wool Wine Glass Goods made by Italian artisans

republic a government in which power comes from its citizens

Main Ideas With the Crusades, Western Europeans came into contact with Arab Muslims and Byzantine scholars who introduced the works of ancient Greeks and Romans. Based on ancient Greek and Roman ideas, humanism shifted society’s focus away from religion and inspired people to seek knowledge through reason. Humanists made many cultural contributions, including a new form of colloquial literature. In Europe, the printing press made books available to more people and helped humanist ideas to spread.

Main Ideas Renaissance painters developed and perfected techniques, such as perspective and chiaroscuro, to make their works appear more realistic. The most famous Renaissance artists were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Raphael Sanzio. Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the most celebrated female Renaissance artists; she painted historical and religious scenes.

Main Ideas Northern Europeans adapted the Italian Renaissance style to fit their interests and needs. Artists like Jan van Eyck began painting with oils, which were darker and richer and which could highlight small details. Albrecht Dürer’s engravings blended techniques for perspective and fine details with medieval German traditions. English playwrights like William Shakespeare wrote about people’s strengths, weaknesses, and emotions.

perspective a way of showing the relationship between objects in a drawing to give the look of depth or distance chiaroscuro a way of using light and shadows rather than stiff outlines in drawings

Leading Italian Renaissance Artists Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Buonarroti Raphael Sanzio Artemisia Gentileschi