Renaissance Beginnings

Transition From Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, Europeans suffered from both war & plague A small group of those who survived wanted to enjoy life As a result, they questioned the Church, which taught Christians to endure suffering… To get a heavenly reward They also questioned the structure of medieval society, which blocked social advancement Educated people gradually began to reject medieval values… And look to the classical past for ideas

Renaissance Hits Italy The years 1300 to 1600 saw an explosion of creativity called the Renaissance Renaissance means “rebirth” In this case rebirth was in art & learning The Renaissance started in northern Italy around 1300 & would later spread North One reason that Northern Europe was behind was because… France & England were locked in the Hundred Years’ War Italy also had three advantages: 1. Thriving Cities (center of trade) 2. Rich merchant class (from trade) 3. Classical heritage of Rome

City-States Overseas trade, spurred by the Crusades, had led to the Growth of large city-states in N. Italy City-States were large, independent areas Italy was urban, while the rest of Europe was very rural Cities were great places to exchange ideas & have an intellectual revolution The bubonic plague struck these cities hard, killing up to 60% of population This brought economic changes Because there were fewer laborers, survivors could demand higher wages With less business opportunities, wealthy merchants began to pursue art

New Class Takes Power Milan, Florence, & other Italian city-states ran their own affairs Each collected taxes & had its own army Because city-states were relatively small (compared to countries)… Many citizens were able to participate in politics Merchants were the wealthiest, most powerful class & dominated politics Merchants didn’t inherit wealth like nobles, so they’re intelligence/ability were positives in govt. Individual achievement became an important part of the Renaissance

Medici Florence came under the rule of one powerful family, the Medici They made their fortune in trade & banking Cosimo Medici was the wealthiest European at the time In 1434, he won control of Florence’s govt. He didn’t seek office himself, but influenced members of the ruling council by giving them loans When Medici died, his grandson took over Although, Medici form of govt. wasn’t exactly democratic, they aided the Renaissance by supporting the arts

Greek & Roman Culture Renaissance scholars looked down on the art & literature of the Middle Ages They wanted to return to the learning of the Greeks & Romans One reason the Renaissance began in Italy… Is that artists & scholars drew inspiration from the Roman influence that surrounded them They were also able to study ancient Greek manuscripts when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 As scholars studied the Greek works… they became increasingly influenced by classical ideas

Humanism These ideas helped them to develop a new outlook on life, which had several characteristics The study of classical texts led to humanism HUMANISM= focus on human potential & achievements They didn’t worry about trying to make the ancient text agree with Medieval Christian ideals In the Middle Ages, some religious people had to prove their faith by wearing rough clothing & eating plain foods Humanists argued one could enjoy life without offending God

Humanistic View of Life In Renaissance Italy, the wealthy enjoyed material luxuries, fine music, & wonderful food Most people remained devout Catholics However, the basic spirit of the Renaissance was secular Secular = worldly & concerned with here & now (not religious) Even church leaders became worldly They lived in beautiful mansions, threw lavish banquets, & wore expensive clothes

Patrons of the Renaissance In addition to seeking pleasure, Renaissance popes beautified Rome by spending huge amounts of $ on art Popes & wealthy families became patrons Patrons = financially supported artists The Medici family were very important patrons By having their portraits painted in exchange for $... Or by donating art to the city, patrons made their mark on the Renaissance

Renaissance Men Renaissance writers first introduced the idea that some people were artistic geniuses A man who excelled in many fields was praised as a “universal man” Later ages called these people “Renaissance men” Leonardo da Vinci is often considered the typical “Renaissance man” He excelled at painting, sculpting, writing, & inventing, among other things A book called The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione taught how to become a Renaissance men He thought a man should be charming, witty, well educated in the classics He should also dance, play music, & be an athlete

Renaissance Women According to The Courtier, upper-class women also should know the classics & be charming However, they shouldn’t seek fame They were supposed to inspire art, not create it (muses) Upper-class women were far more educated compared to women of the Middle Ages However, most Renaissance women had less influence than Medieval (Middle Age) women