Post on 09-Jan-2016
description
The Renaissance “Rebirth”
1300-1500s-ish Move from medieval to modern
Why did it begin in Italy?1. Location
Legacy of Ancient Rome
Catholic Church
Why did it begin in Italy?2. Trade Revival Mediterranean Sea &
many portsCity-states
Powerful familyWealthy merchant class
Why did it begin in Italy?3. PatronsFlorence & the Medici
Bankers“Uncrowned Kings”
Patron—supporter of arts Learn from Classical
(Roman) art—what are the characteristics of Roman art?
What was the Renaissance? Time of cultural creativity and political change
New World View: Influenced by Greece & RomeMiddle Ages seen as “backwards”
Focus on eternal, religion Focus on the individual & human experience (here and now)
“Man can do all things, if they will” –Leon Battista Alberti Adventure and ExplorationThe Prince by Machiavelli
Describes the perfect prince “The end justifies the means,” “It is better to be feared than
loved,” “Force and prudence, then, are the might of all the
governments that ever have been or will be in the world” “Renaissance Man”—talent in everything
The Courtier (1528) by Castiglione
The CourtierA true man should be:
Charming, witty, & well-educated in the classics
Skilled in sword-fighting, wrestling, & horse riding
Dance, sing, play music, write poetry
Above all, have self-control and be well-mannered
Humanism Response to Medieval scholasticism Classical (Grk-Rmn) Studies
worldly subjects > religious studies Find fulfillment in daily lifeEducation fuels creativity
Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history “Father of Humanism”: Petrarch
New Techniques in ArtReligious topics, famous people Realistic Perspective—try to paint 3D Shading & Reflection of Light
Renaissance Artists
Leonardo da Vinci The Essential Renaissance Man
Artist, musician, scientist, inventor, engineer…..
Most famous artist: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper
Michelangelo Sculptor
Pieta, David Artist
Sistine Chapel in Rome Four years Most done standing on a platform
Architect Designed St. Peter’s Basilica Dome
Never finishes
Raphael Artist Blends Christian and Classical Modannas (mother of Christ) School of Athens
Donatello Sculptor Realism and natural (Greek)
Albrecht Dürer “German Leonardo”Studies in Italy &
brings ideas back to Germany
Engravings, religious themes, details
Uses math and science in art
Other Artists Jan & Hubert van Eyck
Everyday lifeRich detail
Pieter BruegelVibrant colorsPeasant life
Hans Holbein the YoungerGermanPortraitsRealistic & Symbolic
Northern Writers Erasmus: Dutch Priest, Christian
Humanist Classical knowledge in Christian
studiesSpreads ideas to wider public Called for church reform & Bible in
vernacularThomas More
English Social Reform Utopia—ideal society
William ShakespeareEnglish poet and playwrightCommon themes in everyday settings Used common language Very popular
favorite of Queen Elizabeth I
The Globe Theatre
Gutenberg First printing press with moveable type Printed Bible Books are now:
Easy to produceCheapAvailable to all
Ideas spread quickly