The Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance
Renaissance-French in origin-Meaning
Rebirth.
 Emerged in Italy because of economic
growth and governmental factors.
 Trade flourished here-ramification of the
Crusades.
 Italian city-states had maintained political
independence.

Italy is closely attached to the classical
traditions of Greece and Rome.
 Interest in the classics was labeled
humanism.
 Scholars who pursued this-humanists.
 The very philosophy of life changed
 Seek fulfillment in daily living rather than
merely the afterlife.
 Emphasis on the individual.

HUMANISM
Humanities – history/philosophy
 Emphasis upon becoming a “well rounded
person” with a variety of interests-art,
music, sports, literature, and politics.
 Today’s education based on this
philosophy.

Humanist Writers
Petrarch—Sonnet—14 lines-unrequited
love.
 Cellini– Autobiography.
 Machavelli—The Prince– End justifies the
means.

Italian City-States
Because Italy resisted feudalism and control
of the emperor a social order emerged in
which wealth and ability was valued over
titles and land ownership.
 City-States are governed by wealthy
families.

Leading City-States

Florence: birthplace of Italian Renaissance
 Wealth in textile industry.
 Medici’s made their money in banking—
patrons of the arts.
 Instituted a graduated income tax
 Medici rule was for a time interrupted by an
uprising led by a Dominican friar: Girolamo
Savonarola.
 Savanorola strict regulation of public behavior
soon aroused public opposition.
Rome and Venice

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Rome: Pope and cardinals comprise wealthiest
class. Replaces Florence as leading city- state
 St. Peter’s Basilica (largest Christian church in
the world)
Venice: By late 1500’s assume leadership of the
Renaissance.
Dominates trade with Asia
Governed by a Republic
Venice
Republic headed by a Doge (Duke)
 The council of ten (wealthiest merchants)
had the real political power.
 Revenue generated via tariffs.
 Artists flocked to this commercial center.
 Artists emphasized realism and secular
activities, Human Emotions.

Architecture returns to classical
style

Italian Renaissance
 Brunelleschi
 Created the
Cathedral of
Florence
 Play Video
Sculptors
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Donatello
 1st to cast in bronze
since the ancients.
Michelangelo
 Statue of David
Ghiberti
 10 magnificent
New Testament
Scenes
Painting

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Realistic
Emphasizing Human
Emotions
DaVinci
DaVinci
DAVINCI
Michelangelo-Sistine Chapel
Christ giving the key to St. Peter
The Renaissance filters to the
North
France
England
Netherlands
The Northern Renaissance

1.
Spread of the Renaissance to Northern
Countries
War Spreads it
1494 France invades Italy

King Frances I becomes fascinated
w/Italian Renaissance fashion and
art.
Brings Leonardo Da Vinci and others to
France
 Other rulers in North follow –bring
humanists to their country

Spread of Renaissance Cont.
2.
3.
Traders
New found wealth amongst the Northern
merchants begin to spend money on
(values) education, arts, fine goods and
expensive housing.
Travel

To Italy to study w/Italian masters
•Newly educated middle class
knowledge among middle class
aided by the invention of the
printing press.
Printing press




Johannes Gutenberg
About 1440 German
metal worker
Used moveable type
Result: publish books
more quickly and less
expensive
Northern Scholars adapt Italian
Renaissance to fit better their
needs.
The French Renaissance
Unique-blended French medieval
Gothic with the classical columns
used by Italian architects to create the
Chateaux (castles)
Francis I and Nobles built large
country estates.
Chateaux
French Writers

Pierre Ronsard-own
sonnets inspired by
Petrarch. Wrote on
love, passing youth
and immortality
Michel de Montaigne

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Autobiography
Personal Essay
Short Phrase
composition
Express clearly
personal view
Disadvantage of
royalty—”A heavy
burden to be a king.”
Francois Rabelais (RA-buh-lay)

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Most popular of French
authors
Wrote on many topicsthemes were of rejecting
Middle Ages focus on the
after life.
People should enjoy life to
the fullest
Wrote on law, medicine,
politics, theology &
navigation
Northern Europe
Germany

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
Accepted Italian
Renaissance
Universities and schools
promoted the humanist
learning
Latin still the scholarly
language (increase in
German and Dutch)
Christian Humanism
 More
religious tone
 Wanted reform in the Catholic
Church
 Believed that humanist learning
and Bible study were the best
way to promote these goals
Most Famous Christian Humanist
Desiderius (Dez-ih-deer-ee-us) Erasmus
 Inspired colleagues to study Greek and
Hebrew
 Can understand older versions of the
Bible.
 Take a more critical view of the Catholic
Church.

 He
attacked the extravagances
of the Renaissance Popes.
 Noted work, “The Praise of
Folly”
Describes these popes as no
longer practiced Christians.
Quote from Erasmus: “Scarce
any kind of men live more
devoted to pleasure or with less
troubles…To work miracles
is…not in fashion now;to instruct
the people, troublesome; to
interpret scripture; to pray, a sign
one has little else to do…”
Play Video
Northern European Painters
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Their style relies more
on Medieval than
classical models
1400’s Flemish
painters Jan &
Hubert Eyck (EYEK)
painted scenes from
the Bible and daily life
in sharp realistic detail
Developed Techniques
Developed painting in oils
Gives richer colors
Soon spreads to Italy-oil painting
technique
Pieter Brueghal (Broy-gahl)

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Combine Italian
technique with artistic
traditions of his
homeland.
Paints realistic
portraits, landscapes
and scene from
peasant life.
The English Renaissance
Ideas of Renaissance did not spread to
England until 1485---War of the Roses—
ends
 Henry VII invites Italian Renaissance
scholars to England—Teach Humanism

Thomas More-English Statesman
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Writes “Utopia” in
Latin
Criticizes today's
society and compares
it to a perfect society
William Shakespeare

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Drew ideas from
Medieval Legends and
classical mythology.
History of England,
Denmark and Rome.
Play video
Christopher Marlowe
Wrote on: humanistic
qualities such as:
Love, jealousy, ambition,
and despair.
Plays are still relevant today
Still done.