The Origins of the Renaissance

What does the term Renaissance mean?First coined in 1867 by Jakob Burckhardt

in his book, The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy

The OriginsWhy did it start in Italy?

The Obvious geographical reason The Crusades and trade with Africa &

Southwest Asia The growing wealthy banking and merchant

class in the city-states

Analyze

“Nothing weights less than a pen, and nothing gives more pleasure; it is useful not only to the writer but to others far away, perhaps even those who will be born a thousand years from now” Francesco Petrarch

Humanists

The Critical Approach to Learning Comparing texts to search for truth and authenticity

Concerned with How things worked Leading a meaningful life Existence a joy in itself

Petrarch

Sonnets to Laura ( ideal figure) Classical Education

Committed to public and private virtue The mark of an educated person Sonnets were in the vernacular

What was Petrarch’s inner conflict over religion? Lust for fame Devotion to the temporal life

How did Machiavelli and Castiglione demonstrate their commitment to the humanist values and how were they different?

Civic Humanism - individual achievements and education could be fully expressed only if people used their talents and abilities in the service of their cities.

The renaissance man came to be the “universal man” - well versed in the classics but a man of action

Machiavelli - people should not try to live up to high ideals but should face life as it is. (The Prince)

Power and ruthlessness were more valuable than idealism Consequence

with less emphasis on ideals, personal power and prestige were valued

The idea of Christendom as a single political and spiritual entity was over

Medieval and Renaissance Art

Medieval - Religious subjects Formal and stylized figures Holy land setting

Renaissance Realism Realistic and lifelike figures Rugged countryside settings

Important Artists

Donatello universal skills not limited to one subject Strong emphasis on creating the appearance of motion like the Greeks and

Romans Wanted to convey the beauty of the human form

Da Vinci - represented the “ideal of the Renaissance man” Universally skilled (sculpture, painting, engineering, anatomy,

architecture)

Michelangelo- (David, Pieta, Sistine Chapel) Raphael- the individualism of the subjects were a focal point.

The School of Athens

Madonna & Child

Piero’s Flagellation

The Impact of Printing

Is the pen mightier than the sword? Erasmus - “The Praise of Folly”

Ridiculed ignorance, superstition, vices Ex. Pilgrimages, fasting, interpretation of the

bible

Thomas More - “Utopia” Absolute utilitarian society

Medieval and Renaissance Art

Medieval artists believed in creating the “ideal” figures whereas the Renaissance tried to create the “observed”

Medieval - Religious subjects Formal and stylized figures Holy land setting

Renaissance Realism Realistic and lifelike figures Rugged countryside settings

What story regarding Giotto best illustrates the sense of realism in Renaissance art?