1. The Renaissance

2. What Will You Learn?
You will learn how European society was revitalized after the Dark Ages….

3. Before the Renaissance
Europe suffered from war and plague
People who survived wanted to celebrate life
Began to question political institutions (political powers)
People began to question the Church

4. A Time of Change 1300-1600 Revival of art and learning = Renaissance
Explosion of creativity in
Art
Architecture
Writing
Thought

5. A Time of Change Led to new values, such as individualism
What is individualism?
Belief in the importance of the individual?
Do we really need the Church? Pope? Political Institutions?

6. A Time of Change
With fewer people to feed, the standard of living was higher
People were better educated
Literacy increased
Demand for books increased
The middle class began to emerge

7. New Sources of Knowledge
1453 – fall of Constantinople – many Byzantine scholars fled to Italy
They took knowledge of classical Greece with them
Greek texts
Knowledge to read them
Cordoba, Spain -

8. New Sources of Technology
Learned how to make paper
Made it easier to create and store books
Contributed to the growth of libraries
1400 – paper mills found in France, Italy, and Germany
Led to development of printing

9. Rise of Italian City-States
Italy was very urban and commercial
Overseas trade, spurred by the Crusades led to development of northern Italy
Economy based on commerce, not agriculture
Merchants were witty, individual merit > family
Venice, Milan, Naples, Florence
Rise of banks

10. Florence The Medici’s Banking family, who had power
Branch offices throughout Italy
Cosimo de Medici – gave loans to the nobles
Lorenzo de Medici – grandson of Cosimo (1469) – Dictator of Florence

11. Worldly Values Europeans became influenced by classical ideas
Study of classical texts led to humanism
Humanism focused on human potential and achievement
Tried to understand Greek values
Studied subjects like history, literature, and philosophy

12. Worldly Pleasures Luxuries Good music Fine foods Expensive clothes
Lavish parties
Secular spirit
Concerned with the here and now instead of the hereafter

13. Patrons of the Arts Spent huge amounts of money on art
Patrons = financially supporting the arts
Wealthy families had portraits painted
Donated art to the city in public squares
Wealthy demonstrated their importance

14. Renaissance Man Create art Master every area of study
Charming, witty, well educated in the humanities
Dance, sing, play music, and write poetry
Skilled writer, wrestler, and swordsman

15. Renaissance Woman Should be charming Know the classics
Inspire art, but rarely create it
Most had little influence in politics
Smarter than medieval women
Should be patrons of the arts