1. The Renaissance and the Return of Western Humanism, 1350- 1650

2. I. The first phase of the Renaissance: Italy, 1350-1450

3. A. Advantages of declining population 1. Plague 2. Supply, demand and commodities 3. Wealthy merchants less likely to invest in commodity production

4. B. Luxury and “lifestyle” 1. Luxury goods cheaper, coinage more available

5. 2. Luxury goods seen as better investments 3. Italian merchant class and status a. replaced feudal lords in northern Italy (1100s) Cosimo de Medici

6. 4. “It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive…” optimism emphasis on this life “lifestyle” - how you live consumption and identity modern v. medieval outlook

7. C. Where the Renaissance Began: the Italian City-State 1. Merchants 2. Papal, Imperial rivalry 3. “Comuni”

8. 4. Vital statistics 5. New social/political cohesian guilds rise of skilled worker in production process craftsmen develop individual reputations as artists

9. Renaissance art possessed an “egalitarian” quality - commissioned by wealthy, but produced by the artisan class - art, sculpture, architecture constituted the ultimate expression of human achievement

10. II. Renaissance Style, 1400 - 1500

11. A. Reason and art 1. Use of proportion/ perspective (da Vinci)

12. 2. Study of anatomy

13. 3. Neoplatonism (Michelangelo) fused classical with newer techniques art should reflect spiritual, metaphysical evolution art should reflect man’s rise to “godliness”

14. B. The Northern Renaissance Religious themes, fascination with daily life Flemish painters Albrecht Durer, Jan van Eyck Jan Vermeer

15. Peter Bruegel

16. Rembrandt van Rijn interest in business class

17. III. Renaissance Idealism 1. Humanism = study of human behavior for its own sake a. Petrarch (1300s) the “Father of Humanism” b. critical of medieval Latin as expressive language (preferred classical style) c. writings explored his own emotions artist (writer) at center of art

18. 2. Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1400s) a. Oration on the Dignity of Man - where was humanity’s place in the Great Chain of Being? b. “progressive” outlook on politics, psychology & history

19. 3. Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1572) a. The Prince = prince should maintain absolute control over his territory, “ends justify the means” = some “virtues” harmful, some “vices” useful

20. 4. The humanist at work a. 1453, Constantinople falls to Ottoman Turks b. Greek scholars bring “practical” humanism - liberal arts education - monasticism v. humanism recognizes = contemplative v. activist lifestyle

21. c. Philology Impact of the Renaissance - spurred economic growth (market capitalism) - Scientific Revolution - Reformation