The European Renaissance
(1300-1600)
• The European Renaissance is a rebirth of learning and
the arts which still influences people today.
The Renaissance
• The word renaissance
means "rebirth.”
• In this case, a “rebirth”
of art and learning.
• Europeans had
rediscovered the
superiority of Greek
and Roman culture,
considered lost during
the middle ages.
The idea can be
extended to mean
rebirth of
civilization in
general, such as
the mimicry of
classical art,
sculpture,
architecture
I. Problems During the
Middle Ages:
Population Decline
• During the Middle Ages, Europeans suffered from both war and
plague. Those who survived wanted to enjoy life.
This period of
plague and
warfare in late 14th
and 15th century
also witnessed the
beginnings of the
Renaissance.
The bubonic plague - the Black Death – had been striking repeatedly,
depopulating Europe by at least a third, raising wages, and ruining the
fortunes of the aristocracy.
Church Corruption
• As a result, they
began to question
the Church, which
taught Christians to
endure suffering to
get a heavenly
reward.
Medieval Society
• The Feudal
System
restricted social
advancement.
• Educated people
began to reject
these values and
look to Ancient
Greece and
Rome for ideas.
II. Italy: The Birthplace of the
Renaissance
Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance
• The
Renaissance
begins in
northern Italy
and eventually
spreads
throughout
Europe.
Why Italy?
Italy’s Advantages:
Growth of Italian Cities
• Overseas trade,
spurred by the
Crusade, led to the
growth of large
city-states in
northern Italy.
• The city-states
were very
competitive and
wars among them
were common.
Urban Centers
• Cities are often
places where
people exchange
new ideas.
• Thus, they were an
ideal breeding
ground for an
intellectual
revolution.
The most prominent city-states included
Florence, Venice, Milan, and Rome.
Cosimo de Medici, one
of the leaders who
helped Florence become
a dynamic Renaissance
center of trade and
culture, is said to have
earned $4 million
through his
international banking
role, a huge sum of
money for that era.
•Government
actions in Florence
and other citystates were
strongly influenced
by these powerful,
wealthy families.
A Classical Heritage
• Renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the
Middle Ages.
• Artists and scholars drew inspiration from the ruins of Ancient
Greece and Rome that surrounded them.
III. Classical and Worldly Values
As scholars studied ancient works,
they developed a new outlook on life.
Humanism
• Scholars focused on the classical heritage of Italy
and rejected the medieval culture.
• Middle ages thought the purpose of man's learning
was to understand God and nature.
• The Humanist approach was that we should
understand man and how to control ourselves.
• Humanism is a strong element of secularism in the
Renaissance – moving away from seeing religion
as the central focus of life and the universe towards
seeing man as the center.
Enjoyment of Worldly Pleasures
• Most people remained
devout Catholics;
however, humanists
suggested a person
might enjoy life
without offending
God.
Patrons of the Arts
• Renaissance
Popes and
merchants
beautified Rome
by spending
huge amounts of
money for art.
Riches acquired
through trade
and successful
conquests were
used to employ
artists,
musicians, and
scholars as well
as to build
elaborate
palaces,
churches, and
public
buildings.
Leaders of the
prominent ruling
families were often
important leaders in
the Catholic Church,
which was actively
involved in running
the business of
public life.
The Renaissance Man
• Some writers introduced the idea of
artistic genius.
• Though genius was rare, all educated
people were expected to create art.
• The ideal individual strove to master
almost every area of study.
• A young man should be charming,
witty, and well-educated in the
classics. He should dance, sing, play
music, and write poetry. In addition
he should be a skilled rider, wrestler,
and swordsman. Above all, he should
have self-control.
The Renaissance Woman
• Women were expected to inspire
art but rarely to create it.
• While women were far better
educated, they did not have as
much influence as medieval
women.
• In the Renaissance times, a
Renaissance Woman was supposed
to marry well, be loyal to her
husband and give birth to boys.
• Many women did not fit the mold
of what they called a "Renaissance
Woman." Many of them would fit
in as more of a "Renaissance
Man“.
• A prime example of this exception
is Isabella d'Este.