1. Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance

2. Florence Home to some of the greatest artists and thinkers during the Renaissance Cultural center of Europe

3. Location Located on the Arno River ◦ Center of trade and commerce  Center of woolen-cloth trade  Center of Banking Drew travelers from all around the world ◦ Came to do business, study art, or to learn Visitors brought new ideas, goods, and technologies ◦ These enlivened the city

4. Cultural Activity Dominated by the Medici family ◦ Made wealth through banking Could afford to be patrons ◦ Michelangelo lived in the Medici house Learned from one another ◦ Sometimes competed with each other

5. Advances in Architecture Influenced by Greek and Roman ruins Many families built palazzis ◦ Stores on the ground floor and homes above Public spaces influenced by humanism Greatest feat is the cathedral, Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore

6. Advances in Painting and Sculpture Perspective ◦ Used to create depth in the painting ◦ Size of objects showed distance ◦ Created as lines converged in the middle of a painting Shading created 3-D figures Used geometry and science Had oil-based paint Sculptures were free standing Showed realism Painting Sculpture