Chapter 2: The RenaissanceSection 2 Ideas and Art of the Renaissance

What was the Renaissance?

Where did it occur first?

Why did it happen here first?

Why did it occur?-influx of economic activity resulting from trade-re-emergence of Greek-Roman ideas known as Humanism

Italian Renaissance HumanismHumanism

-program of study focusing on humanities -stress secularism and the accomplishment of the individual

-church stresses the complete opposite

Development of Humanism-increased trade brings a re-emergence of Greek and Roman Literature-Humanists study these values and use them to reshape their culture

Father of Humanism: Francesco Petrarch-Lawyer who was dissatisfied with his life-Wanted to get back to cultural pinnacle of Greece and Rome that was lost in DARK MIDDLE

AGES!-OBSESSED WITH classical manuscripts

-Loved pure writings of Cicero-Searched, collected, copied, and promoted these works-Advocated writing in classical Latin

-these works became liberal studies, those who studied were humanists

Key Views of Humanism-Why study ancient Greek and Roman works?

-Reflection on the past offers new ideas (human nature, education, and political rule)

Example: Studying Plato’s Work

-Man is special and has no limits to what hecan accomplish

-Each can “Rise to the Heavens” or“Fall to the Animals”

-EMPHASIZE and GLORIFY GREATINDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTs

Therefore, Humanists became fascinated with those who exceeded expectations and rose to greatness.

Education-Previously based solely on theology and philosophy-NOW:

-Humanities: study of diverse fields provides skills for next leaders and artists-AKA: Well Rounded Individuals

-Humanities: grammar, music, ethics, public speaking, math, etc.-Fascination with Perfection and the Ideal State (not necessarily reality)

Question: Do we feel that way today?

Education-Previously based solely on theology and philosophy-NOW:

-Humanities: study of diverse fields provides skills for next leaders and artists-AKA: Well Rounded Individuals

-Humanities: grammar, music, ethics, public speaking, math, etc.-Fascination with Perfection and the Ideal State (not necessarily reality)

Who were the pupils of this thought?-NOT POOR OR AVERAGE PERSON

-Renaissance had no real effect on lower class

-NOT Most Women-Inferior and uncapable-Belong in domestic and private worldException: Christine de Pisan

-Wrote “The City of Ladies”-women were capable of reason and making sound moral choices-carve their own space or move to a city of ladies

ANSWER:

-wealthy urban males

Christine de Pisan

BaldassareCastiliogne

Niccolo Machiavelli

THE COURTIER

Courtier: person who attends court and advises a leader

-Written by Baldassare Castiglione-How to manual to be the IDEAL GENTLEMAN (Renaissance Man)-Skills:

-Compose music, write poetry, play instrument, ride a horse, do math, wrestle, read, write, and speak properly.

-How to manual for the IDEAL WOMAN -Skills:

-Educated, musical, dance, paint, and display physical beautyEX: Men’s Health or Seventeen Magazine today*

-Spread all throughout Europe influencing culture of the elite

Political Thought

Niccolo Machiavelli-Book: The Prince

-Treatise on attaining and maintaining power-Thesis: Preserve the State with whatever means necessary

Key Quotes:-“The End Justifies the Means”-“It is much safer for the Prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid

making himself hated”-Wrote it for Lorenzo Medici

-kind of like a job application

NORTHERN HUMANISM

As Humanism Spread throughout Europe a somewhat different view emerged in the NorthNorthern Renaissance

-synthesized the Christian and Classical traditions FOCUS

- Northern Humanism was a way to reform church and deepen spiritual understanding- Known as Christian Humanists

Key Christian Humanists

Desiderus Erasmus Sir Thomas More

-Desiderus Erasmus-wrote many works combining these ideas concerning the church-2 Main Themes

1. Education is the key to reform and Church needs reformed-“Praise of Folly”- criticized key problems of the church

2. Philosophy of Christ-Christianity is demonstrated by inner faith, not outer worship

-Sir Thomas More-very critical of contemporary society

-Wrote “Utopia”-depicted a perfect society-void of political/economic injustice-property held in common-education for all-religious toleration

-Was decapitated by King Henry VIII

HOW DID THE RENAISSANCE SPREAD SO FAST AND SO FAR?

The Printing Press Key invention during the Renaissance- Machine that operated moveable metal type allowing for making multiple copies of a work-Johannes Gutenberg-Effect

-Allowed for easier access to knowledge-Encouraged literacy amongst public

-allowed for people to have own books and read it themselves-Fostered distribution of revolutionary information-Better informed public

Italian Renaissance Art-Key to Renaissance Art is the Patron- wealthy merchants who sponsored artists-Prior to wealthy merchants, church was the only patron

-therefore subjects were always church themed-Now, Patrons like Lorenzo Medici, allow the artists to be free and explore new areas.

Result:

Renaissance Art-Religious Topics-Classical Greek and Roman Figures-Individual Portrait (SELFIES)

Early Renaissance and New Painting Techniques- Massacio

-Frescos- painting on fresh wet plaster with water colors-PERSPECTIVE to display 3 dimensional depth-Anatomy and Proportional (PERFECTION)

- early artists focused on realistic portrayal of individual, even nude.

ArchitectureFilippo Brunelleschi

-Church of San Lorenzo in Florence

-Very different from the Gothic Style-Gothic is very pointed-Renaissance is more rounded and functional

Question: Why might an architect be a perfect example ofa Renaissance Man?

High Renaissance Masters- Leonardo Da Vinci

-THE “Renaissance Man”-Inventor, Sculptor, Painter, Poet, Architect, Scientist-Even dissected corpses to study anatomy of body-Mona Lisa, Last Supper

- Raphael Sanzio-One of the best painters in Italy

-Painted many beautiful Madonnas (paintings of the Mother of Jesus)-The School of Athens

- Michelangelo -Painter, Sculptor, Architect

-Sistine Chapel, Statue of David, Pieta-Emphasized the ideal person with perfect proportions

Northern Artistic Renaissance-Different (PERFECTION)

-Artists like Jan Van Eyck didn’t use perspective - Oil Paints, no frescos - tried to portray details as accurately as possible. - Subjects were normal people and normal situations

Renaissance Investigation ActivityItalian Renaissance vs Northern Renaissance Comparison