(1500-1660)
Renaissance and Reformation
Renaissance and Reformation
renaissance: rebirth or revival
 Revival of Learning; desire for knowledge
 growth in study of other languages, literature,
art, mathematics, philosophy, and science

Protestant Reformation
led by Martin Luther
 posted 95 propositions against the Roman
Catholic Church in the 16th century
 strived to make the church more accessible &
fair
 the church refused Luther’s propositions, and
the Protestant Reformation evolved

English Reformation
began when King Henry VIII was denied a
divorce by the Pope
 The Church of England was formed
 English Parliament passed the Supremacy Act
in 1534
 important influence on development of
Protestantism in England

Literature
focus on translating Latin and Greek works
 authors tried to emulate the ancient greats
 philosophy and scientific influences show
 influenced by politics

Art
emphasis on the human figure, natural beauty,
& physical realism
 accurate perspective; subject placed in front of
natural background
 sculptures and architecture modelled after
Roman style

Johannes Gutenburg
invented the printing press
 first time books were mass produced,
beginning with the Bible
 principal method of publishing through late
20th century
 prior to invention of the printing press, books
could cost as much as houses

Leonardo da Vinci
developed ideas that were beyond his time
 first person to bring realism and perspective
into artwork, bringing subjects to life
 controversial work, such as The Last Supper
 invented his own artistic techniques
 promoted education of artistic style

Niccolo Machiavelli
“The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer
we should see through it”
- Niccolo Machiavelli
Roman historian and politician
 wrote history from a humanist perspective
rather than in the Greek theological tradition
 wrote political instructions, believed the power
to influence history and events lied in the
individual

Miguel de Cervantes
Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright
 Spanish language often considered “la lengua
de Cervantes”
 large influence on prose fiction – Don Quixote
considered one of the best fictional works

Don Quixote (1605)
Excerpt
 written by Miguel de Cervantes
 widely considered the first modern novel, as
well as one of the greatest novels ever written

Works Cited
Carson, Nacie. “Characteristics of Renaissance Art.” eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb 2010.
<“http://www.ehow.com/facts_4857007_characteristics-renaissance-art.html”>
Gray, Andrew Stephen. “The Influences of Da Vinci and Michelangelo.” Quazen. N.p., 21 May 2007. Web.
19 Feb 2010.
<“http://quazen.com/arts/art-history/the-influences-of-da-vinci-and-michelangelo/”>
“Johannes Gutenburg” The Great Idea Finder. N.p., 26 Jan 2006. Web. 21 Feb 2010.
<“http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/gutenberg.htm”>
“Johannes Gutenburg: Inventor of the Printing Press.” Inventive Genius. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb 2010.
<“http://www.kidsnewsroom.org/elmer/infoCentral/frameset/inventors/gutenberg/index.html”>
Lecron, Chris. “Machiavelli’s Influence on History.” Associated Content. N.p., 21 July 2009. Web. 20 Feb
2010.
<“http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1953338/machiavellis_influence_on_history.html”>
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<“http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/niccolo_machiavelli_3.html”>
“The Protestant Reformation.” Schools History. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2010.
<“http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/protestantreformation.htm”>
“The Renaisannce Period.” The Tree Maker. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2010.
<“http://www.thetreemaker.com/last-name-meaning/renaissance-period.html”>
“What was the Protestant Reformation?” GotQuestion.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb 2010.
<“http://www.gotquestions.org/Protestant-Reformation.html”>