By, Samantha Kalinski

 The Renaissance was a time of creativity and change in many areas- political, social, economic, and cultural. Perhaps most important, however, were the changes that took place in the way people viewed themselves and their world.

Why Italy? a. It has been the center of the Roman Empire. b. Architectural remains, statues, coins, and inscriptions, were all visible reminders of Roman grandeur. c. Italy differed from the rest of Europe in other ways. Its cities survived the Middle Ages. d. In the North some city-states grew into prosperous centers or trade and manufacturing. 1.Florence 2.Milan 3.Venice 4.Genoa e. Rome, in central, and Maples, in the south, along with a number of smaller city- states, also contributed to the Renaissance cultural revival.

 A wealthy and powerful merchant class in these city-states further promoted the cultural rebirth.  These merchants exerted both political and economic leadership, and their attitudes and interests helped to shape the Renaissance.  They stressed education and individual achievement.

 In the 1400’s the Medici family of Florence organized a successful banking business.  Extended their business to : 1. Wool manufacturing 2. Mining  Ranked among richest bankers and merchants in Europe.  Cosimo de Medici gained control of the Florence government in 1434, and the family continued as uncrowned rulers of the city for many years.  He was also a generous patron, or financial supporter, of the arts.

 At the heart of the Italian Renaissance was an intellectual movement known as humanism. Based on the study of classical culture, humanism focus on worldly subjects rather than on the religious issues.  Humanists believed that education should stimulate the individual’s creative powers. They returned to the humanities, the subjects taught in ancient Greek and roman schools. 1.grammer 2.rhetoric 3.poetry 4.history Humanists did not accept the classical texts without question, however. Rather, they studied the ancient authorities in light of their own experiences.

 The Renaissance attained its most glorious expression in its paintings, sculpture, and architecture.  Wealthy patrons played a major role in this artistic flowering.  Popes and princes supported the work of hundreds of artists.  Wealthy and powerful women such as Isabella d’Este of Mantua were important patrons of the arts as well.

 Roman art had been very realistic.  Renaissance artists learned the rules of perspective. By making objects smaller than those close to the viewer, artists could paint scenes that appeared three- dimensional.  Also learned to use shading to make objects look round and real.  Painters and sculptors also studied human anatomy and drew from live models.  As a result, they were able to portray the human body more accurately then medieval artists had done.

 Some women became professional poets. Sometimes they would keep their word secret, allowing their husbands to pass it off as their own.  Few women gained acceptance for their art. In the 1500’s, Sofonisba Anguissola an Italian noblewomen, became court painter to king Philip of Spain.

 Renaissance architects rejected the Gothic style of the late Middle Ages as cluttered and disorderly. Instead, they adopted; 1. columns 2.arches 3. domes

 Leonardo- made sketches of nature and of models in his studio.  Michelangelo- Many-sided genius, sculptor, engineer, painter, architect, and poet. He shaped marble into masterpieces like the “Pieta”.  Raphael- Studied the works of those great masters. His paintings blend Christian and classical styles. He is probably best known for his tender portrayals of the Madonna, the mother of Jesus.

 The most widely read of these handbooks was “The Book of the Courtier”. Its author, Baldassare Castiglione, describes the manners, skills, learning, and virtues that a member of the court should have.  Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a different kind of handbook. He had served Florence as a diplomat and had observed kings and princes in foreign courts. He had also studied ancient Roman history.

 What did the artists of the later Renaissance focus on in there writing and art? Many focused on politics and ancient culture. How did merchants contribute to the birth of the Renaissance? They became patrons, or financial supporters of the arts. What did the development of printing in Europe lead to? New ideas that greatly extended their horizon.