Spread of Ideas and People

Unit 1

European Renaissance and Reformation

1300-1600

Chapter 5

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

Section 1

Our Objectives

• By the end of the section, you will be able to:– Explain conditions in Italy that gave rise to the

Renaissance.– Identify values and ideas prized during the

Renaissance.

End of the Middle Ages

• Renaissance: rebirth, revival of art of learning, revolution– After suffering through feudalism and the Black

Plague, European countries began to question institutions of the Middle Ages, such as the Church, education, and society.

– Educated men & women attempted to bring back the culture of classical Greece and Rome

– Importance of the individual, individualism

Renaissance Begins in Italy

• The ideas of the Renaissance began in Italy in the 1500s.– Venice & Florence

• Ideas of the Renaissance spread from northern Italy into the rest of Europe.

• Italy had 3 advantages to making it the birthplace of the Renaissance:– 1. Thriving cities– 2. Wealthy merchant class– 3. Classical heritage of Greece & Rome

Rise of the City-State

• Thriving city-states were a place for cultural exchange because of overseas trade.

• After the Plague, 60% of the population in these cities died, which caused a change in the economy.

• Italy had many urban areas, in contrast to many rural parts of Europe

Florence, Italy

Merchants & the Medici

• Wealthy merchants earned their high status in society, and believed they deserved power and wealthy because of their individual merit.

• **The idea of individual achievement (merit) became important during the Renaissance.

• The Medici family, a family of powerful bankers, became so powerful in politics they ruled Florence.

Looking to Greece & Rome

• Ruins of ancient Greece & Rome

• Scholars studied ancient Latin documents

• Greece & Rome = Classics/Classical

Classical and Worldly Values• Classics lead to Humanism

– Humanism: intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements

– Scholars sought to understand Greek values in Greek context

– Classical Education: History, literature, and philosophy

• Worldly Pleasures– Enjoy life without offending God– Wealthy enjoyed luxuries: foods, music, art– Society was secular: worldly rather than spiritual,

concerned with the here and now

Classical and Worldly Values

• Patrons of the Arts– Patron: person that financially supported artists– Many Church leaders during the Renaissance

spent huge amounts of money for art to beautify Rome and other cities.

– Merchants and wealthy upper class families were also patrons of the arts during the Renaissance

– **Church leaders and the wealthy demonstrated their own importance by donating and having prominent art pieces displayed in public squares.

Renaissance Man

• Baldassare Castiglione, The Courtier (1528)– A “universal man,” or “Renaissance man,”

was charming, witty, and well educated in the classics. He should dance, sing, play music, and write poetry. A skilled rider, wrestler, and swordsman.

Renaissance Woman

• According to Castiglione, the upper class woman should be charming and know the classics.

• Not expected to seek fame, but expected to inspire art, but rarely create it.

Intellectual and Artistic Renaissance

Section 2

Our Objectives

– Describe the artistic breakthroughs and achievements of Renaissance artists.

– Summarize influential literary works and techniques of key Renaissance writers.

– Understand the importance and lasting influence the Renaissance has had on society then and now.

Renaissance Art

• Painting, sculpture, and architecture were dramatically changed during the Renaissance.

• Frescoes (watercolor paintings) added new dimensions to painting: – 3-Dimensional – Realism

Renaissance Revolutionizes Art

• Many artists used religious symbols and subjects to convey spirituality through art, but the depiction of the subjects became more realistic. – The realistic style was copied from

classical models.

• Greek & Roman subjects became popular.

• Goal: Realistic Art

Realistic Painting and Sculpture

• Perspective: technique used by Renaissance artists which shows three dimensions (3D) on a flat (2D) surface.

• Artists painted prominent citizens, focus on individuals

• First art to depict the human body realistically

Classical Influence in Art

• These two sculptures show how classical statues showed realistic features, and how Renaissance art tried to accomplish the same.

Renaissance Artists

• Michelangelo• Donatello• Leonardo DaVinci• Buonarroti

Sculpture

• Donatello (1386-1446) copied the Greek and Roman (Greco-Roman) style of sculpting that was realistic and anatomically correct.

Donatello’s David

Arnolfini Wedding

• Jan Van Eyck, 1434

Masters of the High Renaissance

• The High Renaissance was the period from 1490-1520. Three of the most influential people of that period were:

• Leonardo DaVinci• Raphael• Michelangelo

Leonardo Da Vinci

• Painter, Sculpture, Inventor, Scientist - Renaissance Man

• Studied how things work (body, muscles)

• Only 17 paintings of his still exist

Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519)

• Favored Realism in art• Scientist - dissected bodies• Inventor – first helicopter design

Raphael Santi

(1483-1520)• Painted ideal

beauty

• Famous works include Madonna (Mary) and the School of Athens

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

• Saw beauty as a reflection of God living in man.

• Painted the Sistine Chapel (done mostly lying on his back).

Women Artists

• Artemisia Gentileschi– Depicted strong,

heroic women in her art

• Sofonisba Anguissola– First woman to gain

international reputation

Sistine Chapel

Renaissance Writers Change Literature

• Many writers followed in the tradition of Dante (Medieval writer) and wrote in the vernacular, rather than Latin– Vernacular: native language, plain

language

• Renaissance writers wrote for self-expression or to portray individuality of their subjects

• Modern writers still follow these ideas

Influential Writers

• Petrarch - “father of the Renaissance and humanism”– Poet, wrote in Italian (vernacular) & Latin– Sonnets (14-line poems)

• Boccaccio - Decameron• Vittoria Colonna - female writer

– Typically wrote of personal subjects, not politics– Helped Castiglione publish The Courtier

Niccolò Machiavelli

• Machiavelli - The Prince - examines the imperfect behavior of humans, political guide book– People are selfish, fickle, and corrupt– Strong as a loin, shrewd as a fox to keep power– Not concerned with morally right, but politically

effective– Prince should have integrity (keep his word)– Okay to lie & mislead the people, in the real world of

politics SOMETIMES– Must be crafty to overcome suspicions and gain the

trust of others

The Northern Renaissance

Section 2

Objectives

• By the end of class, you will be able to:– Explain the origins and characteristics of

the Northern Renaissance.– Trace the impact of the Renaissance on

German and Flemish painters.– Profile key Northern Renaissance writers.– Describe the origins of the Elizabethan Age

and Elizabethan drama.– Explain how printing spread ideas.

Northern Renaissance Begins

• Renaissance ideas of Italy spread into the northern parts of Europe in the late 1400s.– N. Europe affected by Plague & war more so than

Italy…took longer to get the idea

• Renaissance ideas mingled with northern traditions = own Renaissance ideas– Interest in realism, ideal of human dignity inspired

northern humanists to plan for social reform

• Contrast to disjointed “Italy,” England and France under STRONG monarchs– Patronage of artists by wealthy merchants, Churches,

and monarchs began to become popular in N. Europe

Artistic Ideas Spread

• 1494, French king claims the throne in Naples (Italy) and starts an invasion through Northern Italy. Many Renaissance writers and artists flee into Northern Europe for a safer life.

• These fleeing artists/writers take with them the ideas, values, and styles of the Renaissance

Painters of Northern Europe• German Painters

– Albrecht Dürer, most famous German artist• Studied in Italy, produced woodcuts & engravings, portrayed

religious figures• His works popularized Renaissance art in Northern Europe

– Hans Holbein the Younger• Painted portraits that are almost photographic in detail• Emigrated to England, painted portraits of King Henry VIII

• Flemish Painters: Flanders became the artistic center of Northern Europe thanks to wealthy supporters– Jan van Eyck, first to use oil painting techniques– Pieter Bruegel, interested in realistic details and

individual people, captured everyday life

Writers Try to Reform Society• Humanists ideas used to examine the traditional

teachings of the Church in Northern Europe• Critical of the failure of the Church to inspire

people to lead a Christian life.• Women’s Reforms

– Majority of Europeans could not read or write, families who could afford school only sent boys.

– Christine de Pizan was against this practice– She published books, manuals to educate women,

advocated for women’s education – First European to question different treatment of

boys and girls

Christian Humanists

• Christian Humanists: reform society, reform education (most important), promoted education of women and founded schools boys & girls could attend

• Desiderius Erasmus: Praise of Folly – Poked fun at greedy merchants, heartsick lovers,

quarrelsome scholars, and pompous priests– Believed in “Christianity of the heart” not ceremony or rules

• Thomas More: Utopia - “no place”– Utopia: ideal place, ideal community

• Imaginary land were greed, corruption, and war do not exist

Elizabethan Age

• Renaissance in the mid-1500s in England called the Elizabethan Age

• Queen Elizabeth I reigned 1558-1603– She was well educated, spoke French,

Italian, Latin, and Greek, wrote poetry and music, supported the development of English art & literature

William Shakespeare

• Most famous writer of the Elizabethan Age (poet and playwright)

• Regarded as the greatest playwright of all time

• Born in 1564 - Stratford-upon-Avon, 90 miles northwest of London

• Plays performed at the Globe Theater• Most famous plays: Hamlet, Othello,

Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear

Printing Spreads Ideas

• Europeans began to use block printing (moveable type), a technology from China– Slow, unable to keep up with demand of Renaissance

demand for knowledge & information

• Johann Guttenberg created the printing press that made it possible to produce books quickly and cheaply– Printed the Bible, the first full-sized book printed on the

press– Press enabled a printer to produce 100s of copies of a

single work– Made books cheap so people could buy them

Legacy of the Renaissance

• Changes in Society– Printing changed the availability of information– Greater availability of books increased desire

for learning – People began to question political structures

and religious practices– Christian humanists attempted to reform society

and how lives should be lived– People were more aware of their rights because

of the printing of legal preceedings

Luther Leads the Reformation

Section 3

Objectives

• Analyze historical forces and religious issues that sparked the Reformation.

• Trace Martin Luther’s role in the movement to reform the Catholic Church.

• Analyze the impact of Luther’s religious revolt.

• Explain the spread of the Protestant faith to England.

Causes of the Reformation

Social Political

Renaissance values of humanism and secularism led people to question the church

Powerful monarchs challenged the Church as the supreme power in Europe

The printing press helped to spread ideas critical of the Church

Many leaders viewed the pop as a foreign ruler and challenged his authority

Causes of the Reformation

Economic Religious

European princes and kings were jealous of the Church’s wealth

Some Church leaders had become worldly and corrupt

Merchants and others resented having to pay taxes to the Church

Many people found Church practices such as the sale of indulgences unacceptable

Luther Challenges the Church

• Martin Luther: Monk & Teacher, taught Scripture at the University of Wittenberg

• 1517, “95 Theses” - public stand against friar Johann Tetzel– Tetzel was selling indulgences to raise money to

rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome

• 95 Theses attacked the selling of indulgences as a way of buying your way into heaven

• 95 Theses printed on the press and the ideas of Luther were spread throughout Europe

Luther’s Reformation

• Teachings based on 3 ideas:– Only have salvation by faith in God’s gift of

forgiveness (Church taught faith and “good works” were needed for salvation)

– All Church teachings should be based on the words of the Bible (Pope and Church traditions were false authorities)

– All people of faith are equal (Priests not needed to interpret the Bible)

The Response to Luther• Pope Leo X threatened to excommunicate

Luther from the Church• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V opposed

Luther’s teachings, summoned him to stand trial– Protestant Princes of Germany v. Loyal Catholic

Princes went to war to force them back into the Catholic Church – Unsuccessful.

– Peace of Augsburg: Princes gathered and decided to let each prince decide the religion of his state

• Edict of Worms: Luther was deemed a heretic and no one could give him food or shelter

England Becomes Protestant• King Henry VIII

– Became king of England in 1509– Needed a male heir (no woman had successfully claimed the

English throne)– Catherine of Aragon had a daughter, Mary– Henry wanted to divorce Catherine, but could not as a Catholic -

> Pope would not grant annulment – Secretly married Anne Boleyn (She was in her 20s!)

• Reformation Parliament– Asked Parliament to pass a set of laws that ended the pope’s

power in England– Act of Supremacy: called people to take an oath recognizing the

divorce and accepting Henry as the head of the English Church

Consequences of Henry’s Changes

• Some opposed the Act of Supremacy– Thomas More remained a devout Catholic and was

imprisoned and executed for high treason

• Anne Boleyn did not produce a male heir either = charged with treason & beheaded

• Henry married Jane Seymour, she had a son, Edward

• Henry ended up marrying 3 more times, but no more children

• Henry died in 1547 and caused religious turmoil in England

Religious Turmoil

• Prince Edward VI took the throne when he was 9 years old, reigned for 6 years, Protestant advisors

• Mary (Catherine’s daughter) was Catholic and returned the English Church to the rule of the pope, killed many Protestants, died in 1558

• Elizabeth I (Anne Boleyn’s daughter) inheirted the throne

Elizabeth Restores Protestantism

• 1559, Parliament set of the English Church - Anglican church with Elizabeth as its head

• Anglican Church was a mix of both Protestant and Catholic practices

• She brought religious peace to England by being Moderate

The Reformation Continues

Section 4

Calvin Continues the Reformation

• John Calvin, published Institutes of the Christian Religion– Ideas about God, salvation, and human nature– Summary of Protestant theology (religious thoughts)– Men & Women are sinful by nature– Predestination: God chooses only a few people to save – the

few “elect”– Ideal government was “theocracy” (controlled by religious

leaders– Ruled Geneva, Switzerland: no bright clothing, strict rules,

could be banished for disobeying the rules, burned at the stake for teaching other beliefs

Religious Violence

• Swiss, Butch, and French reformers adopted the Calvinist form of church organization

• In France, Protestants called Huguenots– Violence between Catholics and Huguenots– Paris, Aug. 24, 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day

Catholics began hunting for Protestants and murdering them.

– 12,000 + Huguenots were killed

Denominations Formed

• As Christians interpreted the Bible for themselves, new Protestant groups (denominations) formed over difference of beliefs:– Anabaptists: only baptized people old enough to

decide to be Christian , church and state should be separate, refused to fight in wars, shared their possessions

– Presbyterians: Scottish preacher, John Knox, became Scotland’s official religion

Catholic Reformation

• Movement within the Catholic Church

• Ignatius of Loyola– Jesuits

• Mission: – 1. convert non-

Christians

– 2. stop the spread of Protestantism

Catholic Reformation• Reforming Popes

– Paul III, 1534-1549• Investigated the sale of indulgences & corruption• Approved the Jesuit order• Called a council of Church leaders to meet in Trent (N.

Italy)

– Council of Trent• Church’s interpretation of Bible was final (any other

interpretations considered heresy)• Faith AND good works needed for salvation• Bible & Church tradition equal in guiding Christian life• Indulgences were valid expressions of faith, false selling

banned

– Paul IV - carried out the Council of Trent’s decrees• Index of Forbidden books - considered dangerous to the

Catholic faith, burned by bishops throughout Europe

Reforming Popes

Pope Paul III Pope Paul IV