1. The Humanistic Approach
Chapter 3
The Humanistic Approach

2. Focus Questions
In what ways can a shift in ideas affect a societies worldview?
In what way did thinkers and philosophers influence society in the development of a humanist worldview during the Renaissance?

3. In This Chapter Page 59
What is the meaning of life? What is the right way to behave? Do you ever think about questions like these? In earlier chapters, you saw that many people in the Middle Ages looked to religious beliefs, especially ideas about the afterlife, for answers to such questions. Renaissance thinkers – people we refer to as “humanists” today – reintroduced ideas from pre-Christian time to this religious foundations. They encouraged people to develop their minds and talents, and to use them for the good of society as well as the glory of God. How did these humanists express their ideas and how did these ideas spread? What was the impact of humanist thinking on European society.

4. A Rebirth of Ideas
During the Renaissance a “new way of thinking” took place across the continent
This new way of thinking started in northern Italian city-states
Scholars known as humanist’s looked back to the ancient classical civilizations of Greece and Rome.
These scholars studied Greek and Roman writings and arts and applied classical ideas to their own lives and work

5. Glossary Terms Add the following terms into your glossary sheets.
Classical- the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome
Humanist- a person who adopts a system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities, and worth; concern with the interest, needs, and welfare of humans

6. **Read the chapter opener about Michelangelo’s David**
Why did he choose David to symbolize the city of Florence?
What does Michelangelo’s choice suggest how he viewed Florence and it’s future?

7. Zoom In
Read the achievements of the Greeks and the Romans (Page 62) and using a mind map like the one below list the many accomplishments of the Roman and Greek Civilizations
Accomplishments of Roman Civilization…
Accomplishments of Greek Civilization…

8. Glossary Terms Add the following terms into your glossary sheets.
Aqueducts- a channel used to move water, usually supported on a bridge structure when it had to cross a valley
Colosseum- a large building where spectator events are held
Philosopher- one who studies the truth and principles underlying human conduct and knowledge and the nature of the universe
Democracy- a form of government in which people elect representatives to rule the country

9. Think It Through Humanists? Humanists believed that:
Human beings can use the power of reason, that is, thinking to find the truth for themselves
It is important for a person to have an open, curious, and questioning mind
People can achieve great things through learning
Individuals should be skilled in many different areas they should develop not just their minds but also their bodies and spirits
Think It Through
Which of these ideas about the individual do you think are still part of the worldview of our society?

10. The Renaissance Individual (P. 64)
What objects do you see in this painting?
What do they suggest about the interest and abilities of these two young men?
Which of the Humanists beliefs do you see in this painting?
In the top left corner of the painting, there is a religious object, a tiny crucifix. What might its size and position suggest about the young men’s attitude towards religion?

11. Civic Humanism Civic comes from the Latin word to mean “citizen”
Civic Humanists believed in:
Educating yourself about history and political issues
Helping to Improve Society
Why is being an informed citizen important today?

12. Lorenzo de Medici’s civic humanism?
“ I find that we have spent a large sum of money from to 1471, as appears from an account book covering that period. It shows an incredible sum.. Spent in building, charities and taxes, not counting other expenses; not would I complain about this, for though many a man would like to have even part of that sum in his purse I think it gave great luster to the state and this money seems to be well spent.”
- Lorenzo de Medici
How does this express
Lorenzo de Medici’s civic humanism?

13. Humanistic Education
Most important way a humanist could create change was through education
Many humanists were teachers who ran their own schools. They believed it was important to:
Train young people to have good character , good bodies and minds (educating the whole-child approach)
Encourage people to be curious and to question things

14. Think It Through Humanistic Education
Taught during the Middle Ages
Grammar
Public Speaking
Logic
Arithmetic
Geometry
Astronomy
Music
Religion (theology)
Scripture (theology, religion)
Medicine
Taught during the Renaissance
Greek and Roman writings
Physical training
Ethics and morality (knowing what is the right way to treat people)
Aesthetics (beliefs about beauty, pleasing the mind)
Learning good manners and behavior
History
How to speak well (eloquence)
Think It Through
What programs exist in your school that reflect a whole-child approach? What additional programs would you suggest?

15. Humanism and Religion
Humanist emphasized ideas and values such as individual achievements and the importance of history and the arts.
Religion continued to play an important part in their lives, just as it had during the middle ages

16. Glossary Terms Add the following terms into your glossary sheets.
Society and the Arts
Purpose of Art:
To portray the beauty of the human body and the natural world
To decorate private homes or public places
Wealthy merchants, government played an important role to promote the importance of the arts
Art can be expressed in the form of music, theatre, paintings, architecture, literature, and sculptures
Glossary Terms Add the following terms into your glossary sheets.
Patrons – People who paid artists to produce works of art or any other type of work

17. Renaissance Art: How is it different from the Medieval Art?

18. What does the image show?
Picture Analysis
Medieval Painting
(Done during the middle ages)
Name of painting…
Renaissance Painting
What does the image show?
Who created the image
Purpose of the painting
Entertain
Inform
Persuade
* Explain your answer

19. The Madonna of the Meadow
Human figures look real: (Example: images drawn in 3D, there is depth, distance, sense of movement
Renaissance paintings have landscapes, backgrounds are usually outdoor
Details to reflect everyday life or the real world
Drawings are always with nature as we would see nature
There was less emphasis on religion
More facial expressions, body parts are very realistic
Paintings were done so that everyday people could relate to the painting: In this picture the Madonna and child could be any women with her child

20. The Madonna of the Meadow
Art was always used to remind people of that time the importance of their religion, and going to heaven
Notice all of the following details that emphasizes that:
Mary is seated on a sturdy, jeweled throne in her role as the Queen of Heaven. No human being could ever be her
She gestures towards Christ who is show as a miraculous “baby king”
Background is flat gold-angels in the background to reinforce that this is heaven
Painting communicates only Christian beliefs
Painting is 2D, limited in color, very little facial expressions
Religion is major focus, and the Majesty is portrayed (how Mary is the Queen of heaven) not realism or any kind of mother.
Note amount of gold leaf

21. Michelangelo’s Pieta
Page 74 of the text
In less than two years Michelangelo carved from a single slab of marble, one of the most magnificent sculptures ever created. His interpretation of the Pieta was far different than ones previously created by other artists. Michelangelo decided to create a youthful, serene and celestial Virgin Mary instead of a broken hearted and somewhat older woman
When it was unveiled a proud Michelangelo stood by and watched as people admired the beautiful Pieta. However what was pride quickly turned into anger as he overheard a group of people attributing the work to other artists of his time. That anger caused Michelangelo to add one last thing to his sculpture. Going down the sash on the Virgin Mary, Michelangelo carved his name. He later regretted that his emotions got the best of him and vowed to never sign another one of his works again

22. Michelangelo’s Pieta
Page 74 of the text
Artists wanted to be recognized for their work. This reflects how they were each their own person, with unique talents and skill
The “Pieta” has a religious theme, but it reflects the “humanist” worldview that humans are beautiful
The sculpture shows that Jesus and Mary are very important symbols in that period’s belief system. That Jesus’ death was a tragic event and that it needs to be remembered. That even in tragedy there is beauty.

23. Think It Through Architecture
“An architect should be a good writer, a skillful draftsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on the principles of natural and moral philosophy, somewhat of a musician, not ignorant of the law and of physics, nor of the motions, laws, and relations to each of the heavenly bodies”
- Adapted from The Architecture of Marcus Vitruvius Pollio in Ten Books
Think It Through
What connections can you make between Vitruvius’s description of an architect and the renaissance view of the individual?

24. * Renaissance Building
* Roman Building
Church of San Lorenzo designed in by Filippo Brunelleschi
The Interior of the Pantheon painted by Giovanni Panini in 1747
What similarities can you see in these Roman and Renaissance buildings?

25. Sculpture
In the middle ages sculptors were seen as craftspeople rather than artists.
They were part of a construction team and usually didn’t even sign their work
Role changed dramatically during the renaissance
Artistic genius raised the status of artists, sculptors like Michelangelo became celebrities with international reputations

26. Glossary Terms Add the following terms into your glossary sheets.
Literature
In the early renaissance writers focused on translating the works of Roman and Greek writers and copying their styles.
Books or texts written in the vernacular became more accessible
Much of the writing during the Renaissance questioned the traditional ways of seeing the world
Glossary Terms Add the following terms into your glossary sheets.
Vernacular- the language commonly spoken by the people who live in that region

27. Christine de Pisan
She was one of very few women to receive a humanist education
She was educated at the court of King Charles V of France
When left a widow she decided to become Europe's first professional writer
She protested how women were portrayed in medieval literature, and argued that men and women should not be judged on the basis of their gender, but on their abilities and virtues

28. How was that art form used to express Humanist ideas?
Paintings
Communicated the various religious beliefs of that time
Were now realistic, it included landscapes and human life like portraits
Communicated interests, beauty and the high level skills of people during the renaissance
Architecture
Showed the influence of the classical period (roman times) such as: columns, arches, cornices and capitals (top part of a column)
Architecture was used to recognize individuals for their excellent level of work
Sculpture
Just like architects were recognized for their excellent level or work
They too, made art that showed off the beauty of the human body
Was used to communicate religious beliefs and values (but using life like sculptures)
Literature
Writers wrote about universal human themes and emotions i.e. love hurt, betrayal, etc…
Humanism influenced writers on expressing their thoughts and emotions. Poetry was big during the renaissance
Writers looked to Greek and Roman writers for their inspiration
Much of the writing during the Renaissance questioned the traditional ways of seeing the world

29. Review the Big Ideas Renaissance humanists believed in…
Modeling themselves on the ancient past
The importance of the individual
Renaissance humanists believed in…
Contributing to society
The importance of the learning

30. Pg 76, Question 3a Assignment
Today: Create a Rubric
Pg 76, Question 3a
Create a rubric that shows these criteria and the evaluation scale with descriptors that you would use for evaluation of art