1. Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance
Chapter 1.1
Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

2. Italy’s Advantages Renaissance = revival of art and learning
Time period = 1300 – 1600 C.E.
Bring back culture of ancient Greece and Rome
The Annunciation [ ] - Sandro Botticelli

3. Italy’s Advantages New styles of art and literature
Emphasis placed on the individual
Begins in Northern Italy
3 advantages:
Thriving cities
Wealthy merchant class
Easy access to ancient Greek and Roman history

4. City-States Each city-state had its own ruler.

5. City-States Crusades spur city growth through trade
Northern Italy = urban; rest of Europe = rural
Ideas exchanged in cities
Exchange of ideas = intellectual growth
Bubonic plague occurs in 1300s
Survivors can demand high pay for work
Work opportunities decrease = more time for other interests (e.g. art)

6. Medici Family Controls Florence
Medici family owns bank in Florence
Cosimo Medici does not want political office, but controls from behind the scenes
Gives loans to politicans
Cosimo Medici

7. Classical and Worldly Values
Humanism: intellectual movement that focuses on human potential & achievements
Important subjects = history, philosophy, literature
Meaning of work to fit classical ideas, not religious ideas

8. Secular Pleasures Secular = worldly / non-religious
People concerned with the present
OK to enjoy material things on earth
big houses, expensive food & clothes, etc.

9. A Renaissance Dress Notice the details: Ruffles on sleeve Stitching
Multiple fabrics
Hair thingy

10. Classical & Worldly Values
Patron of the arts = financial supporter
Renaissance Man = well rounded man
Renaissance Woman = inspire art, not create it

11. Renaissance Art New artistic style
Used perspective: 3D art on flat surface
Show distance
Emphasis on individuals
Religion a major theme
Realistic scenes (you can imagine seeing it happen)

12. Important artists Leonardo da Vinci Michaelangelo Raphael Mona Lisa
True Renaissance man
Michaelangelo
Sistine Chapel
David
Raphael
Madonna & child = one of favorite subjects

13. Looks natural Individual focus Very detailed Palma Vecchio
Portrait of a Woman c C.E.
Palma Vecchio
Looks natural
Individual focus
Very detailed

14. School of Athens Raphael c. 1510-1511 C.E. Greek themes Perspective
Realistic

15. Small Cowper Madonna Raphael c. 1505 C.E. Individual
Religious theme (notice halo)
Perspective
Realistic

16. Renaissance Writers Vernacular = native, common language
Authors used vernacular instead of Latin
What impact does this have?
More people can read the language – individuals gain power
Focuses on self-expression or individual viewpoints

17. Machiavelli & The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli writes a famous book called The Prince
The Prince is a guidebook for rulers
Goal is to keep power
People are corrupt & selfish so a ruler must be more corrupt and selfish
Ruler might have to trick his own people for the good of the state

18. Machiavelli & The Prince
The ends justify the means
It’s good to get your subjects to like you
However, when forced to make a choice:
IT IS BETTER TO BE FEARED THAN LOVED
Niccolo Machiavelli