The Renaissance

1. The Renaissance Aim: How did society change during the Renaissance in Europe?

2. Vocabulary • Renaissance – rebirth; a period of time in Europe characterized by a revival in art/culture • Humanism – an intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements (humanities = history, literature, philosophy) • Vernacular – the language spoken (mother tongue) in a country or region • Printing Press – a machine used for printing text from type or plates

3. After the dark Middle Ages… • During the late Middle Ages, Europeans were dying from wars and the plague • Many were questioning the Church – resented it for causing so much suffering • Those who survived wanted to celebrate life and the human spirit

4. 1300: The Renaissance begins • A period of time in which there was an explosion of creativity in art, writing and philosophy • Renaissance = rebirth; revival of art and learning and a return to Greek and Roman times • Began in Italy • Spread through Europe

5. Why Italy? • Thriving cities • Wealthy due to trade • Sites of cultural diffusion • Wealthy merchant class • Due to trade, merchants became very rich and had lots of money to spend on cultural things like education, art • Families like the Medici’s poured tons of money into it • Classical history of Greece and Rome • Used for inspiration in rebuilding culture/society

6. New Values • During the Renaissance, people focused on human achievements – started studying literature, art, philosophy and history • People began to enjoy life – spent money on material luxuries like parties, clothes, food, wine • People were more interested in the “here and now”, less worried about pleasing God

7. Art • Enormous amounts of money was spent on art during this time • Rich church leaders and families donated their money to pay for art, became “patrons of the arts” (financially supporting the artists) • Had their portraits painted, made them look important

8. Renaissance men and women • Renaissance men were expected to be educated, study art and excel at everything cultural • Expected to create art, sing, dance, play music and write poetry • Women were expected to be well-read, like art, be charming • Expected to inspire art, not create it • They had little influence on politics

10. Famous Artists • New trend: featuring the individual in a realistic way – showing their true selves • Emphasis on the human body • Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael

12. Michelangelo • Sculptor, poet, architect and painter • Famous for his realistic style in depicting the human body • Accomplishments: marble statue of David, painting the dome of St. Peter’s cathedral and ceiling paintings on the Sistine Chapel

14. Leonardo da Vinci • Painter, sculptor, inventor and scientist • Very interested in the details of how things worked – like veins, muscles • Most famous for painting the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa

16. Renaissance authors • Renaissance writers wrote in their native language (Italian) instead of the traditional language of Latin • This is called writing in the vernacular • They focused on describing their character’s personalities • Famous authors: Petrarch (poet), Boccaccio (Decameron), Machiavelli (The Prince)

17. Role of the printing press • The Chinese invented the idea of using blocks with carved letters on them to print on paper • This was very useful for the Europeans, because they only had 26 letters – easy! • In 1455, German craftsman, Johann Gutenberg, improved the printing press • The Bible became the first full-sized book typed with movable type • Made books cheap and easy to mass produce • This made it easier to spread ideas

19. Legacy of the Renaissance • Increased interest in human experience and art • People questioned the church, religion, laws and political structures/practices • Authors use vernacular languages in books • Printing press made it easier for ideas, maps, discoveries to spread

20. End Please take your quiz and fill out your Review Sheet on the Renaissance! 