The Renaissance A time of change

The RenaissanceA time of change

1400’s-1500’s

End Medieval Europe• Medieval Europe

No strong kingdoms/ leaderBubonic PlagueKilled 60 percent of populationHundred Years War (France vs England)Overall uncertaintyLack of FaithDeath and DiseaseFew that survived celebrated lifeNew appreciation for life

End of 1300’s

Medieval ChurchChurch Authority

– The Catholic Church was the only Church in Western Europe.

– The Bible was only to be read by Priests or Bishops.

– Church services were only in the Latin Language.

– Popes had great power

How did society and cities change in the 1300s?•Education became more important

era of Philosophers- people wanted to understand the world explain the unexplainableseek answers: way NOT through only religion

•Lost faith in religion•Specialization in agriculture increased

more trade- could go longer distances (goods and transfer of ideas)

urban areas became centers of commerce•Merchants and artisans became important

rich was getting richer, poor getting poorermore beggar's- illegalmore emphasis on money– lead to more emphasis on goods/luxury

cities became displays of wealth ex- Italy.

Why in Italy at this Time?• Trade and town building• Legacy of the greek and roman

empires• Bring back the good times

• Inspiration! -death-bad experiences-happiness for surviving-ruins of the city-build upwards-competition for money/wealth was strongpeople took leisure time more seriouslyless time worshippingled to the arts

What is the Renaissance?

• Renaissance means “rebirth”• Characteristics of the Renaissance– End of the Dark Ages (Medieval Ages)– Focus on individual achievement– Revival of interest in the arts and literature

without influence of religion– Renewal of interest in education

Cosimo De Medici

• Feudalism had less of a grip on Italy

• presence of antiquity was stronger in Italy than elsewhere in Europe

Wealthiest European!

In Florence, ItalyBecame dictatorMoney= powerBanking familyLorenzo the Magnificent (grandson) took overSupported the arts- Financially!

FLORENCE

VENICE

• Created a division• Focused on “worldly” aspects, not

spiritual• Separation of philosophy and

religion• Shift away from Christianity

Secular Shift• Intellectual movement that focused

on human potential• Focus on HUMAN accomplishment• Focus away from religion• Ex: history, philosophy, poetry..• Belief: enjoy life= doesn’t offend

God• Emphasis luxuries, music, food…• Interest in ancient Greek, Roman

culture• characteristics of good education• Curiosity about the world

HumanismHumanism

The Renaissance Man and Woman

– “universal man” – can do everything, worldly– Expected to contribute to society– Broad knowledge, educated– Additionally, highly skilled in one area or more– Charming, educated, sing, dance, create art….

Woman- less of an expectation– must be charming and entertaining– Educated enough to know the classics

• Vernacular- portrayed individuality, self expression

• Began to write in modern (Italian) instead of traditional (Latin)

In writing• Perspective-three-dimensional objects on a

flat surface

• Realistic style- human bodies, expressions, natural looking

• Subject matter changed; artists: paint, sculpt scenes from Greek, Roman myths not just religious.

Artists MethodsChanges in Styles and Techniques

More About Renaissance Art/Architecture

• Scenes were not just limited to religion- myths, nudes, nature, leaders, self-portrayals were popular subjects

• Imitation of reality was key• “Personality” was present in

the artwork• People looked up to artists -

became cultural heroes

Reflected the “feelings” “spirit” of the time.

Patrons of the ArtsSupporters of artFinancially!Merchant classWealthy classTo “beautify” ItalyRenaissance artists worked for whoever offered them the highest price

Donatello(1386-1466)

Sculptures!

“Virgin with Child”

“Statue of David”

King David from the Bible

Freestanding Nude

“Lamentation over the Dead”

Leonardo daVinci (1452-1519)

Painter, inventor, sculptor, scientist. Renaissance Man!

“The Mona Lisa”

Thought behind her smile?

“The Last Supper”Expressions!

Leonardo’s Notebook

“The Flying Machine”

“Skeletons”

“War Machine”

Michelangelo (1475-1564) Renaissance

Man

“The David”

“The Sistine Chapel”

1508 - 1512

Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Sistine Chapel Details

“Creation of the Heavens”“Creation of Man”

Sistine Chapel Details – “The Last Judgment”

“The Pieta”

Raphael (1483-1520) Advanced

realism

Shows: Classical influence on the Renaissance

Da Vinci

Michelangelo

Raphael

Pythagoras Euclid

Zoroaster

Ptolemy

The School of Athens

“Leo X with Two Cardinals”

Dürer, AlbrechtSelf-Portrait at 28

1500Oil on panel

Woodcuts & engravingsInspired in Germany from Italy(culture spreading)

Classical mythsRealistic landscapes

Albrecht DürerGerman, 1471 - 1528Portrait of a Clergyman 1516oil on parchment on fabricpainted surface

The clergyman's ardor, spiritual zeal, and intense determination are communicated through the turn of the head, the fixed, staring eyes, and the tight, compressed lips.With great respect for reality, Dürer has recorded every detail of the man's appearance regardless of how small or unimportant it may be: the wrinkles and lines of the face, the individual strands of fine hair, the coarse skin texture, and even the reflection of window panes in the irises of the eyes.

Renaissance Writers• Niccolo Machiavelli Politician from Florence

• “The Prince” -Handbook for political leaders• Do what is politically effective, not morally correct• cheat, lie, steal- deceitful actions for ones own

advantage• States: most people are fickle, corrupt, selfish• Do whatever it takes to maintain power

“It is better to be feared than loved”“The ends justify the means”“A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise”

1400’s-1500’s Renaissance spreads North!

• Shakespeare• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgSIy_i8X

q4• Plato• Thomas More• Christine de Pizan

Shakespeare’s theater is located just outside of London, England.

The Globe Theater

Have you heard these phrases?

• I couldn’t sleep a wink.• He was dead as a doornail.• She’s a tower of strength.• They hoodwinked us.• I’m green-eyed with jealousy.• We’d better lie low for awhile.• Keep a civil tongue in your head.