CHAPTER 10

Renaissance and Discovery Big Questions: What were the characteristics of the politics, culture, and art of the Italian Renaissance? What was the political struggle within Italy and how was it affected by foreign intervention? Who were the powerful new monarchies of northern Europe? What was the thought and culture of the northern Renaissance? How was it different than the Italian Renaissance?

Renaissance: Overview Renaissance = “rebirth”; transition from medieval to modern times Renaissance Europe (post-14th c.) political centralization, national feelings urban, commercial- capitalist economy growing lay/secular control of thought & culture Medieval Europe (pre 12th c.) fragmented, feudal society agricultural economy church-dominated thought, culture

The Italian Renaissance: Why Italy?

Focus Question What were the economic, cultural, and political factors that contributed to the rise of the Renaissance in Italy?

Italian City States Italian peninsula: Center of trade from Constantinople and the Middle East

Italian City States Florence Genoa Milan Naples Papal States Venice These trade-rich cities evolved into powerful, independent city-states that controlled the countryside around them

Social Classes Clergy (1%) Nobles (2-3%)  “New Blood”  Castiglione on how to be a noble (or courtier) Peasants and Townspeople (96-97%)  Decline of Serfdom  Townspeople = merchants, artisans as well as poor urban workers

Politics of the Italian City-States City states = fundamental political unit of Italian peninsula Italian peninsula was most urbanized part of Western world Many were despotisms run by a single family or oligarchies Despots had a need to prove themselves, thus they collected and patronized art to show wealth Ludovico Sforza (Milan)

Economy of the Italian City-States Trade Cities Centers of banking Specialization Florence = textiles Venice & Genoa = shipbuilding, insurance Merchant capitalism led to the rise of townspeople in wealth & power

Renaissance Patrons Wealthy families sought to make a name for themselves or their city by commissioning works of art Key to social status The Church commissioned art, as well The Medici family were key patrons in Florence. Palazzo Medici

Florence “Birthplace” of the Renaissance? “Model” Renaissance city? Booming textile trade Guilds = groups of skilled craftsmen and businessmen who controlled trade & had political influence Bankers & political powerhouse – the Medici family basically funded the Renaissance in Florence

Florence: The Duomo The Florence Cathedral dome was completed by Brunelleschi in 1436 and restored Florentine pride. The interior dome fresco was painted by Giogio Vasari, most famous for his widely read book, The Lives of the Artists, which provided biographies of many of the Renaissance masters

Focus Question What were the economic, cultural, and political factors that contributed to the rise of the Renaissance in Italy?

The Renaissance: Humanism

Focus Question What were the characteristics of the politics, culture, and art of the Italian Renaissance?

Humanism Studia humanitatis: liberal arts study (grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, philosophy)—to celebrate the dignity of humankind & prepare for life of virtuous action Studied the Classics – original Greek and Latin manuscripts

Early Humanist Scholars Petrarch, Dante & Boccaccio  Petrarch = “Father of Humanism,” referred to Middle Ages as the “Dark Ages” because he thought they were ignorant of the Classics  Dante = Divine Comedy written in Italian  Boccaccio = Decameron, collection of stories about people who escaped the Plague, a social commentary Foundations of vernacular literature Vernacular

Revival of Greek Studies Florentine “Academy”—not a formal school, but gathering of influential Florentine humanists devoted to reviving works of Plato & the Neoplatonists of 3 rd century Platonism – invisible world vs. visible world, soul vs. body in man (the soul/mind is eternal) Humanist critical scholarship: Lorenzo Valla exposes Donation of Constantine as forgery The Point: don’t just “accept” things as truth, look at the world critically

The “Renaissance Man” Da Vinci, aka Renaissance Man Someone who was well- rounded Knew many languages, artistic, athletic, intelligent Da Vinci = painter, sculptor, scientist, architect, military engineer, inventor, philosopher

Renaissance Women Isabelle d’Este – “First Lady of the Renaissance,” related to nearly every Italian ruler by birth or marriage. - Patron of the arts, extremely well- educated, fashionista Christine de Pizan – prominent author, single (widowed) mother

Renaissance Politics: Machiavelli Concluded only a strongman could impose order on a divided & selfish people (Italians) Admirer of Roman rulers & citizens Virtù: ability to act heroically & decisively for the good of one’s country The Prince (1513): recommends temporary use of fraud & brutality to achieve Italian unity; hoped for strong ruler from the Medici family

Renaissance Politics: Machiavelli Background: “Peace of Lodi” (or Treaty of Lodi) est. an alliance system of Italian City States  Milan Florence Naples VS Venice & Papal States Series of French and Spanish invasions and wars caused this system to backfire/crumble  Triggered by duke of Milan inviting French King to get involved in politics of Italy The Prince was a reflection on political power in the midst of all this MESS, and a handbook on how to attain and expand power through ironclad rule

Renaissance View on Education Education was the key to changing human nature Medieval universities trained theologians, lawyers, doctors Renaissance education gave rise to secondary education – prep for LIVING  Created people who would be fit to lead and live in society Mostly for boys, though some elite girls went

Renaissance Art Embraced the natural world & human emotion Works characterized by rational order, symmetry, proportionality; addition of linear perspective (3-D look) Notable Artists  Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) “Renaissance Man,” Mona Lisa  Raphael (1483–1520) Large Vatican fresco: The School of Athens  Michelangelo (1475–1564) 18-foot sculpture of David, Sistine Chapel ceiling

Renaissance Art

Focus Question What were the characteristics of the politics, culture, and art of the Italian Renaissance?

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