1. Humanism and the Renaissance
What are the main beliefs of humanism?
What was the Renaissance?
How did humanism illustrate a change from previously held beliefs?

2. In Case You Forgot… The Middle Ages Europe, 500 – 1500 AD
The (Catholic) church was a HUGE influence on every part of life
People paid at least 10% of their income in a tithe
People that didn’t do the right thing (especially people in power like Kings) could be excommunicated (kicked out/lose hope of heaven)
Churches owned a lot of land and built huge, beautiful cathedrals
After around 1300, some changes were taking place:
More trade and travel
Agricultural revolution led to more $$
Towns and cities grew
No more feudal system
The middle class (with merchants in it) developed

3. Right about this time (1400ish)…
A new interest developed in things other than religion/the Church/God
As people traveled and traded, so did their ideas
Ancient Greek and Roman writings were re-examined
Art, Science, Philosophy, Government
New interest was developed for math and scientific discovery
Biology, astronomy, engineering, medicine, etc.
Secular (non-church-related) works were created
Art, philosophy, law, music, and writings

4. The Renaissance Some Basic Facts Some Major Artists that we will study
Definition: a period from AD in which culture and artistic works flourished and the ideas of ancient Greeks and Romans were “reborn”
Birthplace: Italy
Huge center of trade = lots of money to pay for art and big flow of ideas
Some Major Artists that we will study
Raphael
Donatello
Michelangelo
Leonardo (da Vinci)
Some Major Inventions
The printing press
Pendulum (for use in a more accurate clock)
Lenses (microscope/telescope)

5. Humanism Way of thinking that was at the heart of the Renaissance
Humanists
Were still probably Christians, but did not first look to their religion to understand the world
Studied the classical culture of Greece and Rome
Used what they learned to better understand and learn more about their own world
Focused on worldly subjects, not just religious ones
Though you make the art you get paid to do (by a patron)
This was a transition– religious figures were set against classical Roman or Greek backgrounds in the beginning
Strongly believed in education, especially the study of grammar/rhetoric (using language properly), poetry, and history
Believed that HUMANS had the ability/the power/the strength to do great things and could rely on their own talents and intelligence to accomplish this

6. Transitions in Art Two Types of Paint:
Middle Ages: Egg Tempera was egg yolk mixed with pigment; created a flat, rough surface on the painting
Renaissance: Oil Paint was oil mixed with powdered pigment; created a layer-able surface that light could shine through
Humanism’s rise can be seen when studying the art of the Renaissance
Sizes:
Middle Ages: Hieratic scales used to determine size; the bigger the thing, the more important it was
Renaissance: perspective drawing and real proportions used to determine size
Heads:
Middle Ages: holy figures were shown with a golden ring of light around their heads (halo)
Renaissance: halos much less common, then eventually not used at all
Background:
Middle Ages: holy figures were shown against a golden background (to represent beauty/heaven)
Renaissance: a more natural background was used for saints, angels, and everyday people

7. Your Job:
Place these paintings in order of time period by examining the three traits listed on the previous slide. The more humanistic qualities you see, the later they were probably created. The more “religious” characteristics you see, the earlier they were probably created.
Order of paintings:
____ ____ ____ ____ ____

8. A

9. B

10. C

11. D

12. E

13. Final thoughts: Was humanism the ultimate result of the Middle Ages…
Or…
Was humanism the beginning of a new set of ideas, leading to the modern age?