Renaissan ce in Italy * LEQ: How did the Italian artists and writers reflect the ideals of the Renaissance?
Dec 23, 2015
Renaissance in Italy
*LEQ: How did the Italian artists and writers reflect the ideals of
the Renaissance?
What was the Renaissance? *
Means ‘rebirth’
Transition from medieval era to the early modern age
Began in Italy
1300 - 1650
New Worldview * Wanted to end the disorder and disunity
of medieval age
Renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman learning
Emphasis on individual achievement
“Renaissance man” a person with many talents
Tried to understand / portray the world with more accuracy
Spirit of Adventure * New spirit of adventure and
curiosity
Trade expanded
Navigators sailed across oceans
Scientists, writers and artists experimented with new techniques, forms, and ideas
Humanism * Intellectual movement
Studied works of ancient Greece and Rome to learn more about their own culture
New focus on secular issues Religious matters no longer the only concern
Emphasized the humanities Grammar Poetry History
Believed education should inspire creativity
Italy the Starting Place *
Italian banks, manufacturing, and trade provided the wealth that fueled the Renaissance.
Italy’s central location in Mediterranean encouraged trade. Trade routes carried new ideas from Asia and
Muslim scholars.
Italy had been the center of Roman Empire.
Italy’s location helps to make it a center for the trade of goods and
ideas.
Italian City-States *
Many cities were dominated by a wealthy and powerful merchant family.
These families brought in trade and wealth, and provided leadership.
They were patrons of the arts and supported artists, writers, and scholars.
The Medici's controlled Florence.
Art and Architecture * Reflected humanist themes.
New techniques used to achieve realistic art. Oil paints for shading. Studied human anatomy and drew from
observing models. Used rules of perspective to create a 3-D
look.
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael were important artists.
Architecture used columns, arches, and domes of ancient Greece and Rome.
Title: Workbook Sketches / Anatomy Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Title: Workbook Sketches / Flying Machines Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Title: Mona Lisa
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Date: 1503 -1505
Title: David
Sculptor: Michelangelo
Date: 1501-1504
Title: Creation of Man Artist: Michelangelo Date: 1511-1512
Title: Saint George Fighting the Dragon Artist: Raphael Date: 1504-1506
Title: School of Athens Artist: Raphael Date: 1510-1511
Writers * Held the Renaissance ideals
Creativity Interest in the humanities Individual success
Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier Described the manners and behaviors of
the ideal noble man and woman
Machiavelli’s The Prince Guide for rulers to gain and maintain
power
Which Writer? * Answer the question in the left column.
“It is best to be both feared and loved; however, if one cannot be both it is better to be feared than loved.”
“Outward beauty is a true sign of inner goodness…. just as with trees the beauty of the blossom testifies to the goodness of the fruit.”