1. Renaissance Beginnings

2. Transition From Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, Europeans suffered from both war & plague
A small group of those who survived wanted to enjoy life
As a result, they questioned the Church, which taught Christians to endure suffering…
To get a heavenly reward
They also questioned the structure of medieval society, which blocked social advancement
Educated people gradually began to reject medieval values…
And look to the classical past for ideas

3. Renaissance Hits Italy
The years 1300 to 1600 saw an explosion of creativity called the Renaissance
Renaissance means “rebirth”
In this case rebirth was in art & learning
The Renaissance started in northern Italy around 1300 & would later spread North
One reason that Northern Europe was behind was because…
France & England were locked in the Hundred Years’ War
Italy also had three advantages:
1. Thriving Cities (center of trade)
2. Rich merchant class (from trade)
3. Classical heritage of Rome

4. City-States
Overseas trade, spurred by the Crusades, had led to the Growth of large city-states in N. Italy
City-States were large, independent areas
Italy was urban, while the rest of Europe was very rural
Cities were great places to exchange ideas & have an intellectual revolution
The bubonic plague struck these cities hard, killing up to 60% of population
This brought economic changes
Because there were fewer laborers, survivors could demand higher wages
With less business opportunities, wealthy merchants began to pursue art

5. New Class Takes Power
Milan, Florence, & other Italian city-states ran their own affairs
Each collected taxes & had its own army
Because city-states were relatively small (compared to countries)…
Many citizens were able to participate in politics
Merchants were the wealthiest, most powerful class & dominated politics
Merchants didn’t inherit wealth like nobles, so they’re intelligence/ability were positives in govt.
Individual achievement became an important part of the Renaissance

6. Medici Florence came under the rule of one powerful family, the Medici
They made their fortune in trade & banking
Cosimo Medici was the wealthiest European at the time
In 1434, he won control of Florence’s govt.
He didn’t seek office himself, but influenced members of the ruling council by giving them loans
When Medici died, his grandson took over
Although, Medici form of govt. wasn’t exactly democratic, they aided the Renaissance by supporting the arts

7. Greek & Roman Culture
Renaissance scholars looked down on the art & literature of the Middle Ages
They wanted to return to the learning of the Greeks & Romans
One reason the Renaissance began in Italy…
Is that artists & scholars drew inspiration from the Roman influence that surrounded them
They were also able to study ancient Greek manuscripts when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453
As scholars studied the Greek works…
they became increasingly influenced by classical ideas

8. Humanism
These ideas helped them to develop a new outlook on life, which had several characteristics
The study of classical texts led to humanism
HUMANISM= focus on human potential & achievements
They didn’t worry about trying to make the ancient text agree with Medieval Christian ideals
In the Middle Ages, some religious people had to prove their faith by wearing rough clothing & eating plain foods
Humanists argued one could enjoy life without offending God

9. Humanistic View of Life
In Renaissance Italy, the wealthy enjoyed material luxuries, fine music, & wonderful food
Most people remained devout Catholics
However, the basic spirit of the Renaissance was secular
Secular = worldly & concerned with here & now (not religious)
Even church leaders became worldly
They lived in beautiful mansions, threw lavish banquets, & wore expensive clothes

10. Patrons of the Renaissance
In addition to seeking pleasure, Renaissance popes beautified Rome by spending huge amounts of $ on art
Popes & wealthy families became patrons
Patrons = financially supported artists
The Medici family were very important patrons
By having their portraits painted in exchange for $...
Or by donating art to the city, patrons made their mark on the Renaissance

11. Renaissance Men
Renaissance writers first introduced the idea that some people were artistic geniuses
A man who excelled in many fields was praised as a “universal man”
Later ages called these people “Renaissance men”
Leonardo da Vinci is often considered the typical “Renaissance man”
He excelled at painting, sculpting, writing, & inventing, among other things
A book called The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione taught how to become a Renaissance men
He thought a man should be charming, witty, well educated in the classics
He should also dance, play music, & be an athlete

12. Renaissance Women
According to The Courtier, upper-class women also should know the classics & be charming
However, they shouldn’t seek fame
They were supposed to inspire art, not create it (muses)
Upper-class women were far more educated compared to women of the Middle Ages
However, most Renaissance women had less influence than Medieval (Middle Age) women