1. The Renaissance
“Renaissance” =
Rebirth

2. The Basics Who: Italian Intellectuals
What: Social, Political, Artistic, and Religious Changes
Where: Italy and throughout parts of Europe
When:
Why: Unknown, but some theories:
Black Death
Trade Increase
Printing Press
Intelligence
Italy and Europe – 1350 to 1550 – black death – trade increase – printing press – smart people

3. The Printing Press Invented by Johannes Gutenberg of Germany
First book printed was The Bible
Encouraged
scholarly research
literacy
spread of new ideas and theories
The Bible – literacy – ideas – theories - HUGE

4. Characteristics of the Renaissance
1) Urban Society
Powerful City-States were the center of Italian political, economic, and social life
A secular, or worldly, viewpoint emerged as more wealth allowed citizens to enjoy more material objects.
2) Recovery
Getting over the disasters of the early 14th century
3) Emphasizing individual ability
“Men can do all things if they will”
Well-rounded “Renaissance Man” as ideal
City states – worldly – material – Recovery -

5. The Italian States
During the Middle Ages, Italy failed to develop a strong Monarchy
This allowed many city-states to be independent
The three most important were
Milan
Venice
Florence
Trade was IMPORTANT
Byzantine and Arab empires
Territory gained during the Crusades
Traded for SILK, sugar, and spices
Monarchy – Milan – Venice – Trade - Crusades

6. Milan Located in Northern Italy
Access to the Alpine Mountains, which were necessary to cross if you wanted to get to the rest of Europe
For a long time, the city was run by members of the Visconti family
When the last member of that family died, the city was taken over by Francesco Sforza
He led a band of mercenaries (soldiers who worked for the highest bidder
Efficient tax system = $ for government
Northern – Europe – Visconti – highest bidder - tax

7. Venice Officially run by a Doge, an elected leader
In reality, run by a small group of self-serving wealthy merchants
Most people made money by trading with the Byzantine Empire to the east.
Because of their fleet of mercantile ships, they became and international power
Doge – Byzantine Empire - fleet

8. Florence Cultural center of the Renaissance
A small group of wealthy men led Florence into wars with neighboring areas to gain control
The powerful and rich Medici family controlled the government
For a short time (during a recession), the Medicis were out of power
They returned to power after the new leader, a Dominican preacher, restricted gambling, art, swearing, music and books. He was sentenced to death.
Cultural – Medici – recession – swearing – books -

9. The Italian Wars
Because Italy never developed a strong Monarchy, they were very susceptible to invasions from nearby kingdoms
France invaded in 1494
Italy asked Spain for help
Spain fought to get the French out
Spanish mercenaries were demanding to be paid. Spanish King Charles told them to take their payment from Italy.
The mercenaries sacked Rome, sold church officials, killed innocent people, and burned much of the city.
Monarchy, 1494, SPain

10. Humanism An intellectual movement based on:
History
Poetry
Philosophy
Ancient texts
Petrach – founder of humanism
Humanists tended to be solitary
They dedicated their lives to the service of the state
Had a major impact on Education
Learn from the people who have already done this!!
Poetry, ancient texts , solitary, state

11. Machiavelli and “The Prince”
His book, “The Prince”, is one of the most influential books on political power ever written
In the Middle Ages, many writers stressed that morality should determine political action
Machiavelli rejected this idea
He stated that a prince should act on behalf of the people, and that sometimes this meant putting ones conscious to the side
Since men are “ungrateful liars, deceivers, and infinitely greedy”, political action on their behalf should not be restricted by morality
Morality – rejected – people -

12. Vernacular Literature
Most books were written in Latin, but some wrote in the vernacular
Vernacular = language unique to a region
Italy: Dante’s “Divine Comedy”
About Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise
England: Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”
Described different classes of English society
France: Pizan’s “Book in the City of Ladies”
Defended the intelligence of women
Region – Divine Comedy – Canterbury Tales – Book In the City of Ladies

13. Renaissance Education
Education aimed to change people and help them be virtuous and wise
On top of educational topics, students also were taught physical education
The goal of education was create citizens and not just smart people
Females were rarely in school
If ladies went to school, they were only taught morals, music and religion
Change – wise – citizens – Females – morals – music - religion

14. Renaissance Art
During the Renaissance, humans and nature became the focus of art. Artists tried to make things as Realistic as possible
Two important developments:
1) using light and perspective to create reality
2) investigation of anatomy and movement
These two developments meant that a lot of Renaissance paintings are almost 3-D, appears lifelike, and has a lot of nudity
Realistic – 1st - nudity

15. Renaissance Art
Sculpture and architecture also made great strides during the Renaissance
Tried to reflect a Human-centered world
Churches were created to be comforting and not overwhelming to the worshipper
Filippo Brunelleschi
Most famous architect
Hired by the Medici family in Florence
Human – architect - Florence

16. FILIPPO - Church of San Lorenzo

17. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles of the Renaissance
Donatello – SCULPTOR
Raphael – one of Italy’s best PAINTERS
Michelangelo – painter, sculptor, and architect
Leonardo da Vinci – The “Renaissance Man”
Sculptor –realism - painters - four

18. DONATELLO SCULPTOR Realistic, free-standing statue of St. George

19. Raphael – one of Italy’s best PAINTERS
Best known for his numerous MADONNAS (paintings of the Virgin Mary)
raphael

20. Sistine Chapel Michelangelo – painter, sculptor, and architect
Painted the entire ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Took 4 years to complete
Sculptor –realism - painters - four
Sistine Chapel

22. The paintings systematically tell the major sotires of the bible.
Michelangelo sistine chapel
The paintings systematically tell the major stories of the bible.

23. “Creation of Adam”

24. Sistine Chapel

25. Leonardo da Vinci – The “Renaissance Man”
focused on realism and capturing the perfection & beauty of nature
Da vinci