1. Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance
Chapter 17 Section 1

2. I Italy’s Advantages
Explosion of creativity in Europe known as the Renaissance
Renaissance= rebirth of art and learning
3 advantages that fostered Renaissance:
Thriving cities
Wealthy merchant class
Classical heritage

3. A. Urban Centers
Overseas trade spurred by Crusadeslarge city states in northern Italy
Italy was urban while rest of Europe was rural
Ppl exchange ideas in cities making it ideal place for intel. Rev.
Bubonic plague causen econ. Downstuenmerchants pursued other interests like art

4. B. Merchants and the Medici
City sttes ran their own affairs collecting taxes & making armies
Merchants most wealthy & powerfulran politics
Merchants did not inherit status but achieved it their their own effortindivid. Achievemtn wuld become important Renaisance theme
Florence under control of Medici family
Made wealth in trade and banking
Medici’s did not hold pol office but controlled by giving politicians loans’
Medici’s aided the renaissance by supporting the arts

5. II Classical and Worldly Values A. Classics Lead to Humanism
Study of classical textshumanism
Focused on human potential and achievements
Medieval scholars tried to make classical texts agree w/ Christian thought but Renaissance scholars studied them to UNDERSTANT ancient Greek values
Renaissance scholors studied classical subjects called humanities

6. B. Enjoyment of Worldly Pleasures
Humanists suggest ppl can enjoy life w/o offending god
Renaissance Italy saw wealthy enjoying luxuries
Basic Renaissance was secular
Secular= worldly and concerned w/ the here and now

7. C. Patrons of the Arts
Renaissance popes beautified Rome by spending large amounts of $$ on art
Popes became patrons of the arts
Wealthy fams like Medici’s supported artists by having their portraits painted or donated public art to the city

8. D. The Renaissance Man
Educated renaissance ppl were expected to create art
Ideal indvid. Strove to master all areas of study
Man who excels in many fields is known as “renaissance man”

9. III Renaissance Revolutionizes Art
Renaissance sculptors used realistic style copied from classical models
Michelangelo= sculptor who glorified the human body

10. B. Leonardo, Renaissance Man
Leonardo da Vinci was painter, sculptor, inventor, & scientist (Renaissance man)
Investigated muscle movement and other nat. things which he incorporated in his art & inventions
Painted the Mona Lisa & Last Supper

11. C. Raphael Advances Realism
Learned from studying work of Michelangelo and Leonardo
School of Athens painting conveys classical influences of the Renaissance

12. IV Renaissance Writers Change Literature A. Machiavelli Advises Rulers
The Prince= examines imperfect conduct of human beings by examining how a ruler can gain power and keep it in spite of his enemies
Believed idea that most ppl are selfish, fickle, and corrupt
Therefore, Prince must be strong and tricky
Sometimes trick his ppl for the good of the state
Not concerned w. what was morally right but what was politically effective