THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

WHY ITALY? See Do Now from last week! Northern Italy had WAY more cities than rest of Europe because of trade Merchants in these cities explored art and other pursuits after Bubonic plague Merchants also dominated politics

FLORENCE AND THE MEDICIS Among wealthiest families in all of Europe- merchants Ruled Florence, often as dictators Bankers to the Pope Patrons of the arts Donatello Raphael Michelangelo Brought in materials from Greeks/Romans

THE CHURCH’S ROLE Became one of the biggest patrons of the arts- used to beautify city of Rome Became more worldly- threw large banquets, wore expensive clothes, and bought mansions

ARTISTS Michelangelo- realistic style with human body Donatello- first nude since ancient times Leonardo Da Vinci- Mona Lisa and Last Supper Massacio- first to use linear perspective Raphael- popularized perspective

Was used in classical times WHAT IS PERSPECTIVE? Vanishing Point Horizon Was used in classical times

LITERATURE It’s all about the vernacular Why important? For Italian Renaissance, that meant Italian

WRITERS Petrarch- wrote sonnets- 14 line poems- mostly about a woman named Laura- in Latin and Italian Boccaccio- Decameron- collection of tragic, comedic, and “off-color” stories about young people avoiding the plague Castiliglione- The Courtier- “guidebook” on how to become a Renaissance man or woman Machiavelli- The Prince- people are selfish and fickle, successful politicians must be shrewd and able to trick enemies and supporters; integrity not really important- sometimes you must mislead and lie Wrote it for Medicis