The Renaissance

Origins of Italian Renaissance

Preconditions Growth of trade brings about spreading of

ideas. Plague allows for wages and social mobility.

Began with the fall of Constantinople in 1452 Scholars from Constantinople fled to Italy.

• Brought with them Ancient Greco-Roman texts.

Origins (Continued)

Why Italy?The Italian City-StateCenter for Eurasian Trade

• Wealth and prosperity• Center for exchanging of ideas and

culture.

Changing Social ClassesSee next slide.

Changing Social Classes in Florence

Impact of Ideas on Art, Culture, Politics, Religion, and Values

Revival of the study of the HumanitiesIncluded history, rhetoric, philosophy,

Greco-Roman culture, and politics.• “Renaissance Man”: Familiar with all of

the humanities.

Impact of Ideas on Art, Culture, Politics, Religion, and Values Humanism: Belief that all people have the

ability to contribute to the betterment of society.Religious and SecularBelieved education and knowledge

will lead to the greater good.Logic + ReasonCivic responsibilityFree will + IndividualismKey Contributors:

• Petrarch + Dante

Francesco Petrarch

This is one of Petrarch’s most famous works called Secretum, which means “My Secret Book”.

This book is written in Latin and in this book he evaluates his faith.

Petrarch is considered one of the “Fathers of Humanism”.

Dante Alighieri

One of Dante’s most famous works is an epic poem called The Divine Comedy.

This work described Dante’s journey through hell, paradise, and purgatory.

Dante is also considered one of the “Fathers of Humanism”.

Impact of Ideas on Art, Culture, Politics, Religion, and Values

SecularismExcluded religion from society.Not anti-religious yet.Also called “civic humanism”

Impact of Ideas on Art, Culture, Politics, Religion, and Values

Renaissance Art Major advancements in method and subject

• Proportional, realistic, lifelike• Linear perspective, shadowing, depth• Individual identities, emotional• Bright colors, oil prints• Free-standing statues• Religious subjects, daily life, mythology, heroes.• Obsession with the “perfect human”

Examine the following works of art, and identify these characteristics.

“Vitruvian Man” Leonardo da Vinci

“The School of Athens” Raphael

“David” Michelangelo

Political Challenges

Disorganization of Italian City State.Despotism.Fragile balance between major city-

states. (Often in conflict) France invades Italy at Milan’s

request 1490France quickly invades most of Italy.Creates chaos for over 50 years.Tension throughout Europe due to

Spanish-French conflict.

Political Challenges Continued

Rise of the New Monarch Standing Army Consolidation of Power Growth of bureaucracy Ongoing challenges to that power New national powers

• England• Spain• France• Holy Roman Empire

The Northern Renaissance

Stimulated by influx of Italian Renaissance ideas. Differed from Italian Renaissance in that it was mainly

religious humanists and committed to religious reform. While the Italian Renaissance is based on Greek

influence, the northern renaissance focused more on religion.

Sponsored by the traditional authority, Princes, Nobles and Church.

Broadly influenced by print culture

Art from the Northern Renaissance

Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor Gerard David

Albrecht Durer. Self-Portrait

Modern Devotion

Religious movement The meshing of Humanism and

Christianity Supported the studying of the scripture

to help build a relationship with God. Focus on churches earliest writings Modern Devotion contributed to

Lutheranism and Calvinism.

North vs. South

The Printing Press

Invented by Johann Gutenberg. Response to expanding literacy and heightened demand for

books. Rise of the pamphlet.

Erasmus Wanted religious reform. Printed bibles in original form (Latin)

• Later translated into German by Luther.• His reformist ideas gave reformers ammo in the Reformation.

Erasmus

Exploring the New World Portuguese lead; Africa and Asia

Attempt to circum navigate the Venetian Ottoman monopoly to the east

Brazil The Spanish Emerge

Settle South and Central AmericaInflux of Bullion Decimation and Exploitation of native

populations (Slavery)

Impact/Summary The rediscovery of ancient ideas led to a rebirth of culture and

education.

Growing middle class embraces cultural innovation.

Study of the humanities led to religious and civic humanism

Humanism influenced an expansion of art, literature and challenged traditional authority

There was the rise of new monarchies which centralized power.

The printing press sped up the exchange of ideas.

This was the catalyst for the downfall of feudal society.