cultural era of creativity, learning from 1300s –1500s
Began in Italy
Italy is made up of independent City – States
Florence – important city – state = center of banking, trade, manufacturing
New aristocrats live in cities; money comes from trade / business not land.
Rich build large homes; have best food, clothes, jewels
- emphasize education, arts
Rich citizens become patrons; give artists, scholars money, housing
Hire architects for churches, buildings, sculptures, fountains
Pride in city-states makes patrons seek top artists, scholars, poets
The most famous family of patrons were the
Medici.
They ran the city of Florence from the 1400’s
– 1700’s.
Renaissance artists create religious works, but also other subjects
portraits of patrons; historical, mythological paintings
Leonardo da Vinci — famous artist and scientist
Renaissance’s inspiration spreads to
Northern Europe
William Shakespeare —English playwright in late 1500s, early 1600s