THE RENAISSANCE

Middle Ages Factors So what were our 3 major Middle Ages factors that we need to remember moving forward? Which of those 3 effected the most significant change?

What is this ‘Renaissance’? Giorgio Vasari – rebirth (French – Renaissance) Early 1300s – 1600s Intense creativity & change that differed dramatically from the period before Renewed interest in history, literature, and art (What word could we give to this group?) Success based on YOU…not status within family, religion or guilds…though family connections are still VERY important

What the Renaissance is NOT Not just a sudden rediscovery (not a oh…there’s our culture we forgot about) In no way superior to the religious, philosophical, and literary culture that preceded or followed it Not totally separate from Middle Age concepts…more a growth of old w/ new doors being opened

Humanism Product of 14th & 15th Century Italy (Florence & Venice)

Humanism Cultural revival of Greek & Latin (restore lost eloquence) Became obsessed with study of linguistics – Valla Studia Humanitatis – key feature of humanism Rhetoric, Literature, Poetry, History, Letter Writing & Oratory Arts HUMAN experience is the focus now….not religion

Humanism & God Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494) Oration on the Dignity of Man God created humans w/ ability to shape own lives Claims we’re better than angels!!

Humanism & Political Thought Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529) Book of the Courtier Sprezzatura Why is this critical to progress?

Machiavelli Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) Florentine civil servant The Prince Focus on the ‘human’ elements of how a Prince should rule (Not….???) VERY big break from the norm at the time

Christian Humanism Less secular than Italian Humanism Strongly opposed dogmatic beliefs – inhibits development Desire to use reason to better understand religion & religious texts

Christian Humanism 1478-1535 – English Utopia (true meaning…) Thomas More 1478-1535 – English Utopia (true meaning…) Protest against unjust political and social structure of his time More’s society people work and eat communally, share everything, have abundance, and lead ordered, regulated lives. Beheaded by Henry VIII

“Thus I am wholly convinced that unless private property is entirely done away with, there can be no fair and just distribution of goods, nor can mankind be happily governed. As long as private property remains, by far the largest and the best part of mankind will be oppressed by a heavy and inescapable burden of cares and anxieties.” Thomas More – Utopia

Christian Humanism Desiderius Erasmus 1466-1536 – Dutch Prince of Humanists STRONG focus on education Tried to present Greek & Roman wisdom that would illuminate everyday life Praise of Folly – satire used to criticize all types of follies in both the Church and society Bible to vernacular Why is this technically humanism?

‘The Renaissance Man’ Why would that be his nickname? What do you know of Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)? Who would be a Renaissance Man (or woman) that YOU know…

Renaissance Man A person who mastered all areas of arts and thought becomes a ‘complete’ man Sculptor, Architect, Musician, Engineer, Anatomist, Mathematician, Inventor, Scientist and pretty much the Renaissance BOSS! Perfect definition of both Renaissance & Humanism

Renaissance Art Medieval Art inspired by religious belief & authority Renaissance – “Art owes its origin to Nature herself.” ~ Vasari Humanity in the world w/ religious overtones Revived Classicism – realism, 3D space, Vanishing Point, proportion, harmony, symmetry

What words could we use to define “The Renaissance”