The Italian Renaissance Section 2.6

Definition & Characteristics French for Rebirth –Rebirth of what? A period of commercial, financial, political, and cultural achievement Secular, individualistic, materialistic, humanism, vernacular, civic Not anti-religious (especially Northern Renaissance) Centered in Florence, Italy

Differences b/t Medieval and Renaissance 1.Glorify God 2.Local/Feudal 3.Church is center 4.Focus of life 5.Run by Church, Bible oriented 6.Deprived, innately bad 7.Jesus, Saints 1.Glorify man, the individual 2.Monarchs centralize power 3.Secular/material important 4.Important but not center 5.Run by Humanists, secular oriented 6.The paragon of animals 7.Aristotle, Cicero 1.Purpose of Art 2.Politics 3.Society 4.Religion 5.Education 6.Man 7. Heroes Medieval Renaissance

City-States Centrally located –Gained foothold on desired goods from east during Crusades –Trade, banking, independence allowed them to prosper –Merchants used wealth as stepping stone for political power/civic beautification Florence –Full of talented citizens –Center of Italian Renaissance –Led by merchant family (The Medicis) Prelude to Brunellechi’s Dome

Humanism Literary movement Rejected medieval traditions for secular Leaders of Renaissance Saw Quattrocento (14 th Century) as golden age conceptualized idea of ancient, middle, modern Wanted to imitate the Ancients Rejected quiet, contemplative life for active one Saw man as paragon, the measure of all things Studied grammar, poetry, pagan history, mathematics, astronomy, music Sought to breed well-rounded individual (Renaissance Man)

Art Commissioned by merchant class, the church, wealthy Purpose was religious>>self- glorification>>urban beautification Gradually became more secular Naturalism and realism hallmarks Human body and individual glorified Linear perspective, oil- based paint, developed Artists emerge as celebrities

Medieval Weltanschauung

Giotto ( ) St. Francis Preaching to the Birds

Donatello ( ) David

Leonardo da Vinci ( )

Michelangelo Pieta

Sandro Botticelli Primavera 1482

Raphael ( ) The School of Athens

Discussion Question: How do the works of The Ninja Turtle artists of the Renaissance as well as Machiavelli’s The Prince and Castiglione’s The Courtier reflect the zeitgeist of the Renaissance.

Education and Etiquette Purpose of education was to foster moral, ethical individuals (especially rulers) –Stressed history, rhetoric, ethics –Foster civic individuals Developed secondary education Castiglione, The Courtier –A How to be a Gentleman for Dummies book –Clothes should be neat, movements graceful, be poised, affable, familiar with literature, effortless –Women should be polite and pleasing to men

Politics No centralization existed in Italy –Condottieri= mercenaries who fought for highest paying city-state –Lack of civic duty, patriotism Machiavelli- The Prince –A How to Rule for Dummies book –Rejected what rulers “ought” to do in favor of what works The ends justify the means –Anticipates scientific objectivity –Rulers should keep/break promises, be merciful/cruel as the situation calls for –Politicians can’t be chained to moral considerations –Dreamed of an Italy like that of Rome (citizenry of virtuous, patriotic, citizen- soldiers)