Unit II’s focus will be a study of the Renaissance and Reformation. In order to understand the Renaissance and Reformation, we need to look at life in Europe just prior to these two time periods. This period before the Renaissance is known as the Middle Ages.

The Middle Ages  A historical time period between (or in the “middle” of) the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 C.E) and the beginning of the Renaissance (beginning around 1500 C.E).

What was life like in the Middle Ages?

DISEASE

The Black Death Black Death killed 1/3 of Europe’s population

How was the Black Death transmitted?

Art during the Middle Ages reflected the death brought on by disease and war. "The Dance of Death" by Hans Holbein the Younger

WAR

The Hundred Years’ War Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans Jules Eugène Lenepveu, painted 1886– Took place from France vs. England France claimed victory- drove the English out of French territories

In order to protect themselves from war, people in Europe lived in castles under the leadership of kings and queens and protected by knights.

The Catholic Church was a powerful force during the Middle Ages. But as this time period in history ended, the Church began to lose some power. What might have caused this phenomenon?

Gradually towards the end of the 1400’s, early 1500’s, the Black Death subsided, wars ended, and because of this people began to leave the protection of their castles. This marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the time period in history known as the Renaissance.

Trade and Commerce Change Town Life French manuscript Fifteenth century, depicting the excahnge of goods and money People began to move to cities to earn better wages

Middle Ages Art v. Renaissance Art Reflect death brought by disease and war Most subjects are religious Flat, stiff figures Not realistic in clothing, setting or background Emotionless faces Backgrounds often a single color Oil painting (bright colors) Perspective, shading, shadowing Religious figures Greek and Roman architectural characteristics Shows importance of people and nature Realism of settings, clothing and motion Facial expressions convey emotion

Middle Ages Art Paolo Ucello, The Hunt in the Woods, 15th century

The Renaissance literally means “rebirth.” The Renaissance was a rebirth of Greek and Roman art and architecture.

Renaissance Art The School at Athens Raphael

Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo, Late 1400s C.E.

Mona Lisa, Leonardo Da Vinci, 1505 C.E.

School of Athens, Raphael, 1510 C.E.

The David, Michelangelo, 1504 C.E.