The Renaissance

What was the Renaissance? The Renaissance, perceived as a "rebirth" of ancient traditions in art, philosophy, literature, music, and science, took as its foundation the works of Classical antiquity Europeans of the 14th through 16th centuries transformed that tradition by applying contemporary artistic developments and scientific knowledge.

I. An Era of Awakening A. Causes B. The humanities (humanists) Ruins of Roman Empire Byzantines had preserved Greek and Roman learning Wealth from increased trade Interest in early Christian writings B. The humanities (humanists) Crucial approach to learning Taught that life should have meaning Studied classics Admired human achievement

II. Italian Renaissance Writers A. Petrarch Studied classical writers Believed it is important to lead a full and active life here on earth Father of Humanism B. Machiavelli Lack of concern for conventional morality Leaders should be concerned with power and production

III. Italian Renaissance Art A. Realistic scenes and images instead of religious concerns Artistic techniques Perspective – Using lines and ratios to show distance Foreshortening – Using lines to create dimension Sfumato – Fading out sharp edges to create depth Chiaroscuro – Using a contrast between light and dark to create dimension (opposite of sfumato) Italian Renaissance art focused on perfecting human images Northern Renaissance art focused on daily life

Example of Perspective

Examples of Foreshortening

Examples of Sfumato

Examples of Chiaroscuro

D. Other artists: Rafael, Boticelli, Titian B. Leonardo da Vinci The Last Supper Mona Lisa C. Michelangelo Sistine Chapel ceiling David D. Other artists: Rafael, Boticelli, Titian

Helicopter Design – Da Vinci Mona Lisa – Da Vinci

Last Supper – Da Vinci

Renaissance Artwork Sistine Chapel Michelangelo

Birth of Venus - Boticelli Maddalena - Raphael Birth of Venus - Boticelli

David – Michelangelo The Rape of Europa - Titian

IV. The Spread of Ideas A. Johannes Gutenberg Invented printing press Used movable type to print books Copies of Bible Allowed people to have access to books

V. Northern Renaissance Writers A. Desiderius Erasmus Studied early Christian as well as classical culture Dutch Scholar Criticized the church B. Thomas More Wrote Utopia – about an idealistic island nation Criticism of European society C. William Shakespeare Transformed well-known stories into dramatic masterpieces Historical plays- King John, Richard II, Henry VIII Tragedy- Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth, Othello Comedy- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew

VI. Northern Renaissance Artists A. Great attention to detail Facial expressions B. Realistic human figures and subject matter C. Flemish school (Dutch) Jan van Eyck Brueghel The Arnolfini Portrait – van Eyck

VII. Culture and Daily Life A. Superstitions 1. The world of spirits Believed God was a distant, unknowable force People looked for explanations of and control over daily life People attempted to explain the unknown 2. Disenchantment Removal of belief in magic Done during witch trials 3. Belief in witchcraft Wise people who gave explanations were witches

B. Daily Life 1. Forms of recreation People came together to: Drink Sew Do simple chores Tell stories 2. Violence and protest in the village Close-knit communities Quarrels were common

C. The Spread of Knowledge 1. Books for the masses Broadsides Almanacs 2. Religious ideas and education Printed books became available Primary schools were founded The church promoted and helped spread education

D. Changes in Daily Life 1. The economy 2. Diet 3. Housing Standard of living rose for some More peasants able to earn wages due to new freedoms 2. Diet New spices and vegetables 3. Housing People moved from country to cities Had only necessities 4. Decline of traditional culture Rational thinking more widespread