2. The Italian Renaissance
Renaissance rebirth
Italian Renaissance rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman worlds
Characteristics
Secular Urban Society (City-States)
Age or Recovery
New view of human ability and worth

3. Why Italy? Center of the old Roman Empire
Italy’s city-states became very wealthy
City-states competed with each other
Ruins and art surrounded the Italians & reminded them of their past
They could pay painters, sculptors, architects, & artists to produce new works
Florence, Genoa, Venice, Milan & Rome

4. Origins of the Renaissance
European trade with Asia increased during the 1300’s
Italian merchants organized much of the trade
Trade cities in Italy grew wealthy
The competed to create works that would increase the prestige of their cities
Venice
Genoa
Milan

5. Each Italian City States - Not yet the nation of Italy
Each Italian city-state had its own wealthy ruler

6. The Medici family
They were the greatest bankers in Florence – Making Florence the banking center of Italy They became Patrons of the Arts Lorenzo Medici represented the Renaissance Ideal – some called Him the Renaissance man Leonard da Vinci – The true Renaissance man –painter, artist, sculptor, humanist, scientist , philosopher, architect, engineer and more Niccolo Machiavelli – The Prince “The End Justifies the Mean” – Rule like a lion to keep peace and stabilize power

7. Italian Renaissance Humanism
Stressed man was center of the universe –Man had dignity and value
Humanism-intellectual movement based on the classics
Each individual finds the truth for himself
One can enjoy life and still be good Christians
Encouraged human achievement
Study-grammar, rhetoric, poetry, philosophy & the Humanities
Goal-Create complete citizens
Vernacular Literature – written in common language
Petrarch – “Father of Humanism” – recovered works of Greek and Roman writers

8. Artistic Renaissance in Italy
Rome center of Renaissance art in the 1500’s
Masters –Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael
Fresco – water color on fresh plaster
Law of Perspective Leonardo da Vinci
Study of Human anatomy
Creation of Adam Michelangelo
Last Judgement
PIETA

9. Comparison between Renaissance in Northern Europe and Italy
Did not study the classics as much
Art emphasized everyday life in greater detail
Artists supported by royalty and nobility
Linked with religion although studies of religion led to questioning of church practices
ITALY
Heavy emphasis on reading the classics
Art depicted every day life, but not as detailed
Artists supported by wealthy merchant class
Not as much emphasis on religious issues humanism very important

10. The Printing Press
Johannes Gutenberg was a German goldsmith and printer
Guttenberg 1st to develop moveable type
Allowed for mass production of books
Guttenberg was the key figure in spreading the Renaissance
His invention of moveable type is considered the most important invention in history

11. Impact of the printing press
Much easier to publish books
Increased literacy
million books printed covering 35,000 topics
Vernacular Literature
Written in common language
Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare

12. Contributions of the Renaissance
Invention of the Gutenberg Press
The banking industry
Exploration, colonization of world
Expansion of trade
Humanism, individual is center of universe
Reintroduction of Greek & Roman knowledge and philosophy
Gateway to modern art forms
Expansion of Greek and Roman architecture & sculpture
Increased scientific knowledge, and desire to know more