The Renaissance l The Renaissance was a change in the social, economic, political, and cultural life of Europe. l Renaissance artists and writers turned from the religious life to humanist life. l The return of the writings of Greek and Roman writers came from the Muslim world.

The Renaissance Begins in Italy l Italy was the center of ancient Roman culture. l Roman statues, coins, buildings all reminded Italians of Roman greatness. l Italian cities had survived the Middle Ages and become rich. l Florence, Genoa, Milan, and Venice became rich trading cities. Rome and Naples also contributed to the richness of Italy. l A wealthy class of merchants also contributed to the Renaissance by stressing individual achievement and education. l Italy sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea.

Florence and the Medicis l The Medici family of Florence formed a banking business and became rich and powerful. l The Medici ruled Florence and Lorenzo the Magnificent became a great patron of the arts. l Humanism was at the heart of Renaissance thinking. l Humanists studied grammar, poetry, and history, based on Greek and Roman learning. l Francisco Petrarch translated Greek and Roman writings. He wrote “ Sonnets to Laura” love poems written in the vernacular.

The Golden Age of the Arts l Renaissance artists used religious themes and often used Greek and Roman backgrounds. l Renaissance artists learned the rules of perspective. They made objects smaller in the distance. l Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello were all great artists of the Age. l Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa, Raphael painted the Madonna and the School of Athens, and Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. l Women painters often had to work in secret.

Architecture and Writings l Filippo Brunelleschi created a great dome in Florence. Michelangelo designed and built the dome at St. Peter’s in Rome. l Baldassare Castiglione wrote, “The Book of the Courtier”, about the perfect or ideal Renaissance man and woman. l Niccolo Machiavelli wrote, “The Prince” about how a ruler should govern. l Machiavelli advised rulers that it is better to be feared than loved, the end justifies the means. l Machiavelli was a realist, but he advised rulers to be honest and wise, as well as crafty.

Genoa

Medieval foundations of renaissance art

Florence

GHIBERTIGHIBERTI

DONATELLO

BOTTICELLIBOTTICELLI

Leonardo da Vinci

Michelangelo Buonarroti

RAPHAEL

GENTILESCHIGENTILESCHI

Fillipo Brunelleschi

Renaissance Quiz l 1. Where did the Renaissance begin and give one reason why? l 2. What was the difference between Renaissance artists and thinkers and Medieval artists? l 3. Name 4 Renaissance artists - l 4. Name 4 of their works of art or creations of these artists. l 5. What is a patron - l 6. List 3 of the humanities - l 7. Define perspective -

Renaissance Quiz l 8. What was the name of the book written by Machiavelli outlining how a ruler should lead. l 9. Where did many of the ideas and scientific advancements come from that led to the Renaissance? l 10. What Italian family was considered great patrons of the Renaissance? l E.C. Name a modern patron of the arts and science?

Points to Remember l 1. The Renaissance or the rebirth of learning was a change from the divine to the secular. People became the center of much art and writing as opposed to God and the afterlife. l 2. The Renaissance began in Italy because of ancient Roman traditions, rich patrons, a rich trading economy, central in the Mediterranean Sea. l 3. The Rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman teachings with humanism by Petrarch. l 4. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello were great artists of the time. l 6. Architecture and writing with Brunelleschi’s Dome and Machiavelli’s “ The Prince”