The RenaissanceThe Renaissance

The “Rebirth” of CivilizationThe “Rebirth” of Civilization

When was the Renaissance?When was the Renaissance?

Although it is hard Although it is hard to find an exact to find an exact starting and starting and ending date for ending date for the Renaissance, the Renaissance, most scholars most scholars agree it lasts from agree it lasts from c. 1350 – 1550.c. 1350 – 1550.

Where was the Where was the Renaissance?Renaissance?

The Renaissance The Renaissance began in Florence began in Florence and quickly spread to and quickly spread to other parts of Italy, other parts of Italy, including Rome, including Rome, Milan, and Naples.Milan, and Naples.

It later spread to N. It later spread to N. Europe, including Europe, including Flanders, the Dutch Flanders, the Dutch Republic, England, Republic, England, and parts of the HRE.and parts of the HRE.

Europe Europe in 1550in 1550

What was the Renaissance?What was the Renaissance?

Renaissance, French word for "rebirth" What was reborn?? A “rebirth” of civilization A renewal of interest in classical (Greek &

Roman) ideas and ideals and a desire to imitate the classical world Greece & Rome

What else???What else??? A relaxation of strict, church-controlled A relaxation of strict, church-controlled

attitudes toward education, individualism, attitudes toward education, individualism, and action.and action.

a time of creativity and change-spirit of a time of creativity and change-spirit of adventure & a time of intellectual and adventure & a time of intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe economic changes that occurred in Europe

Only a small percentage of the Middle and Only a small percentage of the Middle and aristocratic class population was involvedaristocratic class population was involved

Used classical ideas to find man’s purpose within Christian teachings and promote learning of all kinds

Why did the Renaissance Why did the Renaissance Happen?Happen?

Florence became a very wealthy Florence became a very wealthy state due to trade (esp. in wool) and state due to trade (esp. in wool) and banking.banking.

The reintroduction of “new” works by The reintroduction of “new” works by the Moors ignited an intellectual the Moors ignited an intellectual revolution.revolution.

Why else???Why else???

The Medici family was The Medici family was extremely wealthy and spent extremely wealthy and spent great sums of money in great sums of money in Florence.Florence.

The church was losing its power The church was losing its power & authority in the wake of new & authority in the wake of new discoveries and the Great discoveries and the Great Schism. Schism.

Other FactorsOther Factors

Agrarian economy is becoming a Agrarian economy is becoming a commercial businesscommercial business

Workers who survived the plague can Workers who survived the plague can demand higher wagesdemand higher wages

Powerful and wealthy merchant class Powerful and wealthy merchant class is growing in the citiesis growing in the cities

Fortunes are being made in banking Fortunes are being made in banking and tradeand trade

Why else did it happen?Why else did it happen?

Castiglione’s Castiglione’s The The CourtierCourtier: : uomu uomu universaleuniversale skilled in all skilled in all arts, sciences, handsome, arts, sciences, handsome, soldier, athlete, poet, soldier, athlete, poet, student. Also, student. Also, sprezzaturasprezzatura..

Machiavelli’s Machiavelli’s The PrinceThe Prince: : demonstrated how noble demonstrated how noble princes should leadprinces should leadbut sanctioned realpolitik.but sanctioned realpolitik.

Printing Presses Printing Presses made made works available.works available.

Why else did it happen?Why else did it happen? Perhaps what was most important was

Humanism—the rebirth of the human spirit. An emphasis on human everyday experience,

the here & now! Individual achievement was highly valued Developing an educational background from the

classical The ”Renaissance “man” or “woman” ideal was

the person with talent in many fields.

Humanism, the Renaissance Humanism, the Renaissance SpiritSpirit

A new intellectual movement that started in Italy Studied classical cultures

& writings philosophers Greek and Romans

Focused on secular (non-religious) themes not religious;

Humanists…Humanists…

Believed education could improve oneself and stimulate creativity

Opened schools teaching humanities: Greek, Latin, Philosophy, History, Poetry, Grammar and Literature

Writers of the era focused on topics of ambition and individual success

Results of HumanismResults of Humanism

Experienced an age in which artistic, social, scientific and political thought turned in new directions

More people are concerned with their jobs, money and status.

Religion becomes less important in western Europe but maintains its hold in the interior of the continent.

Appreciation for the arts as a product of mankind; not just a religious symbol

Francesco Francesco PetrarchPetrarch Known as the father of

humanism for his restoration of the Latin language and push for the study of classical literature

First modern poet Pushed for the use of ancient

Greek and Roman manuscripts: Homer, Virgil & Cicero

His own writings inspired others like Shakespeare and Chaucer

Most famous for his Sonnets to Laura

Why did the Ren. Begin in Why did the Ren. Begin in Italy?Italy?

Center of the Roman civilization –had all the remains of the glory that was Rome in architectural and artistic fields

Italian cities had survived the Middle Ages and grown into prosperous centers of trade and manufacturing.

A wealthy merchant class in the Italian city-states stressed education and individual achievement and spent lavishly on the arts.

The Role of FlorenceThe Role of Florence

Like most city-states, it was a center of banking, trade and manufacturing

Became the cultural center of Europe whose patron influence by the Medici family made it possible

Florence produced an amazing number of gifted poets, artists, architects, scholars, and scientists.

The Medici FamilyThe Medici Family

Leaders of the Cultural Leaders of the Cultural RevolutionRevolution

Medici: Italian banking and political family-ruled Florence for almost three centuries.

Through its extensive European commerce and banking, the family became one of the richest in 15th-century Italy.

Invited philosophers and writers to their homes and court when in political power.

Patronage of the arts became a tradition in the Medici family and encouraged patronage by others in the community.

Lorenzo the MagnificentLorenzo the Magnificent A gifted poet in his own

right, Lorenzo surrounded himself with the leading artists and intellectuals of his day. One of the largest

spenders of the Medici’s for the arts

Among those who enjoyed his patronage were the painters Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Michelangelo and poets and philosophers.