A Rebirth of the Human Spirit

Renaissance Europe Europe 1550

Time of Change

What was the Renaissance?  Renaissance, French word for "rebirth"  What was reborn?? a desire to imitate the classical world Greece & Rome a time of creativity and adventure a time of intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe

What was the Renaissance?  Who was reborn? Only a small percentage of the population involved but… mighty in its influence! Middle and aristocratic classes

Renaissance Estates Nobility- People were born into nobility –Expected to have character, grace, and talent –Must be able to perform military exercises and have a classical education Clergy- priests Townspeople/Peasants –Townspeople were mainly merchants (family very important to this class) –Peasants worked for the nobility or did not have jobs

Perhaps what was most important was the… Rebirth of the human spirit… How? 1. An emphasis on human everyday experience, the here & now! 2. Individual achievement was highly valued 3. Developing an educational background from classical  The ”Renaissance “man” or “woman” ideal was the person with talent in many fields.

What were the causes of the Renaissance? 1. Trade, Banking and Commercial Agriculture 2. Political Power of the Middle Class 3. Large fortunes led to rise of patrons 4. Rise in universities 5. Birth of the printing press- Gutenberg 6. Writing in the common language of the people- vernacular authors- Dante, Chaucer, and Shakespeare

Humanism: Spirit of the Renaissance A new intellectual movement that started in Italy –-Studied classical cultures & writings philosophers Greek and Romans –-Focused on secular themes –Loss of respect for the church –Concerned about business, politics, and entertainment

Humanism’s Impact  Results  More people are concerned with their jobs, money and status.  Religion becomes less important in the western Europe but maintains its hold on the continent.  Appreciation for the arts as a product of mankind; not just a religious symbol

1. Niccolò Machiavelli, was an Italian statesman and writer 2. Considered one of the most significant political thinkers of the Renaissance 3. His best-known work, describes cunning and unscrupulous methods for rulers to gain and keep power.

Where it all began…Italy  In the fifteenth century, Italy was not the unified country we know today.  At that time the boot- shaped peninsula was divided into many small independent states.

Why Did the Renaissance Begin in Italy? 1. Center of the Roman civilization – had all the remains of the glory that was Rome in architectural and artistic fields 2. Italian cities had survived the Middle Ages and grown into prosperous centers of trade and manufacturing.

Why Did the Renaissance Begin in Italy? 3. A wealthy merchant class in the Italian city- states stressed education and individual achievement and spent lavishly on the arts.

The Role of Florence  Like most, it was a center of banking, trade and manufacturing  Became the cultural center of Europe whose patron influence by the Medici Family made it possible  Florence produced an amazing number of gifted poets, artists, architects, scholars, and scientists.  Venice and Milan also played major roles in the Renaissance movement

Renaissance Arts  Emphasized individual talent in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature and music  Architecture returned to the domes and columns of ancient Greece and Rome

 Expressed own values & emotion  Realism (define)  Perspective (define)  Balance & Proportion New Painting Styles & Techniques  Focused on secular, mythological & religious themes

More Painting Techniques  Tempera paint (water color) dried to quickly, but oil water colors allowed artists to correct mistakes because of its slow drying time. The new techniques include using oil paints to paint on fresh plaster, creating, a new unique type of fresco  Used in the Sistine Chapel Ceiling!

Old Art Compared to New Art  The medieval artists often painted bland two dimensional pictures (top).  The Renaissance artists painted luscious three dimensional pictures (bottom).

Major Artists Hog the Spotlight!  They all use the new modern day techniques! They are (clockwise): Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello. These are by the artists themselves!

Donatello  Donatello is considered the odd man out because of his unusual style and interests  He was a major in carving reliefs, which was quite unique for his time.  Donatello carved in wood, bronze, and marble.

“The Mother” ??  Donatello is considered to be the mother of the other three famous artists.  They all copied and used his techniques.  He promoted realism.  Highly influenced art in Florence!

Leonardo da Vinci  Called the original “Renaissance Man, “ why?  Made sketches of nature and of models  Dissected corpses to learn how the human body worked  Studied botany, anatomy, optics, music, architecture, and engineering

Leonardo da Vinci  Made sketches for flying machines and undersea boats  Masterpieces include  The Mona Lisa and The Last Supperst Supper

 Like many before him, Leonardo dreamed of flying like the birds.  Not only was he an artist, but an accomplished scientist and inventor  Leonardo made sketches of a flying machine that were based on the flight of birds.

 He first tried to make an aircraft that would flap its wings to get a man into the air but later discarded the idea.  Leonardo also foresaw the invention of the parachute and the helicopter, showing that he was, indeed, a true visionary..

Raphael

Raphael  Studied the works of Michelangelo and Leonardo  Paintings blended Christian and classical styles  He often painted pictures of the virgin Mary in bright colors, contrary to common practices.

Michelangelo’s Life  Born March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy  Mother died when he was six  Grew up without affection  Father wanted him to be a merchant

The Pieta at Saint Peter's Basilica Created at 23 years of age!

Michelangelo wanted to learn about anatomy by studying corpses. The Catholic Church forbid it. He made an agreement with the Church that he could study bodies in return for a carved wooden crucifix. Studying bodies made him ill many times.

David