Renaissance & Reformation

The Beginnings ► Renaissance means “rebirth”; begins in Italy, spreads throughout Europe ► Lasted from 1350s-1600 CE ► Centered around idea of humanism – glorification of the works of mankind  Renewed interest in classical writings of Greece & Rome  Valued current life more (less focus on afterlife/religion)  Worked to become ideal person (“Renaissance man”) ► Humanists open schools to teach related subjects ► More writers begin writing in vernacular instead of Latin; also wrote about daily life/common items ► Niccolo Machiavelli writes The Prince as a guide for politics and ruling

Italian Renaissance ► Italian Renaissance focus more on painting & sculpting ► Italy not unified; various city-states have influence ► 3 major cities of Italian Renaissance were Florence, Rome, and Venice  Florence ► IR begins here; city controlled by Medici family ► They invest money into beautifying the city; become patrons to many artists  Rome ► Becomes center of IR around 1500 CE ► Wealth & classical heritage attracts scholars to city ► Church/Pope finance many projects and works of art  Venice ► Late home of IR ► Center of trade in mid-late 1500s CE; uses wealth to beautify city

Donatello ► b – d ► Known for sculptures in marble & bronze ► Most famous work – David c.1430 ► Not known for being a humanist or cultured intellectual

David

Michelangelo ► b – d ► Known for paintings and sculptures ► Most famous works were The Sistine Chapel and David

The Sistine Chapel

Creation of Adam

David

Leonardo da Vinci ► b – d ► Most well known Renaissance artist – considered “The Renaissance Man” ► Most famous works were Mona Lisa and The Last Supper ► Known for paintings, drawings, sculptures, and inventions

Mona Lisa

The Last Supper

Raphael ► b – d.1520 ► Known for paintings and association with the Church ► Most famous works include many paintings of the Madonna and also Pope Leo X with two Cardinals

Madonna dell Granduca

Pope Leo X with two Cardinals

Northern Renaissance ► Renaissance begins to spread to North Europe around 1500 CE ► Large reason for spread was Gutenberg printing press  Allowed more books to be printed  More people could read and gain from Renaissance ideas ► Desiderius Erasmus – Christian humanist who encouraged study of Greek and Hebrew  Critical of Catholic church and extravagance of the Pope ► Renaissance spread to England during War of the Roses (fight for English crown) ► Thomas More criticized English politics & society, comparing it to an ideal society in Utopia ► William Shakespeare was greatest writer of Northern Renaissance

Protestant Reformation ► Humanist ideas led to criticism of Catholic church ► People call for change in church practices ► Reformation begun by German monk Martin Luther  Idea of justification by faith  “He who through faith is righteous shall live” (Romans) ► Luther’s ideas conflicted with the Church  Church was selling positions AND indulgences  People buy indulgences thinking they are purchasing forgiveness ► Luther preached against sale of indulgences; in 1517 CE writes 95 Theses ► New printing methods used to make numerous copies; sale of indulgences in Germany declines dramatically ► Luther ordered by Pope to recant ideas; Luther refuses ► Pope excommunicates Luther in 1521 CE

► After excommunication, Luther continues preaching  New church is formed (Lutheran church)  Luther translates Bible into German for people to read ► Lutheranism had many similarities to Catholic beliefs  Few differences included simplified services & priests were allowed to marry ► Spread of Protestantism  1 st main area of spread was to Switzerland  Main reformer was John Calvin ► Set up theocracy in Geneva ► Believed in predestination ► VERY strict  Another Protestant group were the Anabaptists ► Members initiated ONLY as adults ► Freedom given to make own decision regarding God ► Anabaptists are persecuted by Catholics and other Protestants

Spread (cont.) ► Ideas of Protestantism made its way to England in early 1500s ► Henry VIII wanted male heir to throne; wife Catherine could not give him a son  Henry also lusts after young lady Anne Boleyn  Henry decides to ask church for annulment or divorce  Catholic church says no ► Henry VIII decides to break with Catholic church; Church of England started (Anglican Church) w/ Henry as head ► Anne unable to produce a son; Henry divorces her (and has her beheaded), has son (Edward VI) with 3 rd wife ► Several years of conflict between Catholics & Protestants in England (including Henry’s daughters Mary & Elizabeth) ► England settles on Protestantism with Elizabeth

Catholic Reform (Counter-Reformation) ► Catholic Church decides to make changes over threat of Protestantism ► Pope Paul III had cardinals & church authorities give a report on needs for change  Report blamed corruption of high officials  Report agreed that changes would bring Protestants back to the faith ► 1542 Church begins Inquisition  Pope gave full power to church-based court  Purpose was to purge church of heretics ► Council of Trent met to define Catholic doctrine  Salvation from faith AND works  Church alone was to decide interpretation of the Bible ► Ignatius of Loyola begins missionary society (Jesuits) ► Europe remained divided with Protestants mainly in the North and Catholics in the South