1. Italian Renaissance
Humanism

2. In the Renaissance a new philosophy, HUMANISM, emphasized:
INDIVIDUALISM
CLASSICISM
1. INDIVIDUALISM: glorifying potential, talents and accomplishments of individual human beings.
2. CLASSICISM: Re-discovery and appreciation of ancient Greek & Roman culture (especially in Italy…why is that?)
3. SECULARISM: emphasis on this world (the “here & now”) and its material pleasures rather than the afterlife (“hereafter”) or spiritual world.
Renaissance Humanism is the spirit of learning that developed at the end of the middle ages with the revival of classical letters and a renewed confidence in the ability of human beings to determine for themselves truth and falsehood.
SECULARISM

3. Why the change in philosophy?
Fatalism reflected realities of medieval Europe
Manors were isolated & life was hard
Manorial life was traditional, pre-determined & inflexible
The medieval outlook of fatalistic Christianity reflected the realities of the Middle Ages.
Manors were isolated; no change came from the outside. Life was difficult.
Life on the manor was traditional & determined by heredity; no change came from within.

4. Change is only possible if God willed it
God created the world so it was logical to assume whatever you were doing was decided for you
With nothing changing, it was easy to believe that change wasn’t possible unless God willed it.
Since the Church taught that God had created the world and everything in it, it was logical to assume that God wanted you to do whatever it was you were doing in life.

5. Since most people were serfs and impoverished…

6. …it’s not difficult to understand obsession with the afterlife

7. By the Renaissance (c. 1350-1660) life changed…at least in the towns and cities
Wealth increased
A new middle class developed
Trade increased & new products appeared
New skills could be learned
New occupations were created
Prosperity spread

8. An individual could now:
Leave the manor
Learn an occupation different from his parents
Improve his status and economic standing
Acquire nice things and enjoy some of life’s pleasures

9. By no means did this mean rejecting Christianity or questioning the basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

10. But it did mean possibility for individual achievement and pleasure in the secular world on the way to the afterlife.
But it did mean that on the way to the afterlife the possibilities for individual achievement and pleasure in the secular world would be explored and enjoyed in ways inconceivable to the denizens of the medieval manor.
Basic concern with the present-life instead of the afterlife. Life can be understood through the use of senses (not only by understanding the Bible)
Humanists are NOT anti-Catholic
Focus on relation of human to divine (God) – humans are the purpose of God’s creation
What is the human place in God’s plan?
Artists continue to make religious works that focus on the potential of God’s creation (HUMANS)

11. Humanism in Art

12. I T A L I A Birthplace of the Renaissance
In no other place than Italy, and particularly Florence, was this exploration of the secular world more explored…..

13. Medieval Art Refresher
Religious Subject Matter & Symbolism
Focus on Afterlife
No Individualization/ Emotion
Anatomical Inaccuracies
Lack of Single Scene
Two-Dimensional
Untrained Artists

14. INDIVIDUALISM CLASSICISM SECULARISM
Renaissance art clearly depicts the philosophy of humanism in its emphasis on:
INDIVIDUALISM
CLASSICISM
SECULARISM

15. Renaissance art also includes new or reborn artistic techniques…

16. Alessandro Botticelli, Venus and Mars c. 1483
Symmetry
Tempera on Panel
National Gallery, London
Alessandro Botticelli, Venus and Mars c. 1483

17. Piero della Francesca, Ideal City, c. 1470
PERSPECTIVE
Piero della Francesca, Ideal City, c. 1470

18. GEOMETRY
The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci c
For Duke Ludvoco Sfarza and Duchesse Beatrice d’Este
Mural painting in Milan
The triangular organization suggests stability and order, values held by the ancient Greeks & Romans

19. It also suggests the Trinity, a basic Christian belief
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit

20. Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro (shading)
Creates a sense of realism of individual
Leonardo da Vinci: The Madonna of the Carnation, c

21. How does this painting reflect Humanism?
INDIVIDUALISM
SECULARISM
“3-D” landscape
Mary is a real person, not a medieval “zombie”
Concern with details
Emphasizes the “real world” setting
Why does she look “real?”

22. But this is still a religious painting
The Church is still a major patron of the arts
Renaissance Europe is still a very religious society
But the art is now done in a realistic style by professionally trained artists, not untrained monks

23. How does this painting reflect Humanism?
Ermine is in the weasel family – this is probably a white ferret
Subject: Cecilia Gallerani, mistress of Duke of Milan (Lodovico Sfarza)
Leonardo da Vinci : Lady with an Ermine c. 1485

24. CLASSICISM INDIVIDUALISM
Portraits: What could be a better expression of…
INDIVIDUALISM
CLASSICISM
No portraits in the Middle Ages…but lots during Roman times!

25. Roman Architecture Reborn
Dome designed by Fillipo Brunelleschi – octagonal design of double-walled dome resting on drum (not roof)
With reminders of their classical past all around them, Italians engaged in a rebirth of Roman architecture
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore Florence, Italy

26. VS.
Notice the difference in scale of the dome compared to a medieval Gothic cathedral

27. The Renaissance cathedral is more down to earth & more human in scale
Appropriate for the focus on man & life in the secular world

28. Italian Renaissance art clearly reflects Humanism in its emphasis on:
1. INDIVIDUALISM: glorifying potential, talents and accomplishments of individual human beings.
2. CLASSICISM: Re-discovery and appreciation of ancient Greek & Roman culture
3. SECULARISM: emphasis on this world (the “here & now”) and its material pleasures rather than the afterlife (“hereafter”) or spiritual world.