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The Renaissance. The “Rebirth” of Civilization. When was the Renaissance?. Although it is hard to find an exact starting and ending date for the Renaissance, most scholars agree it lasts from c. 1350 – 1550.
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The Renaissance The “Rebirth” of Civilization
When was the Renaissance? • Although it is hard to find an exact starting and ending date for the Renaissance, most scholars agree it lasts from c. 1350 – 1550.
The Renaissance began in Florence and quickly spread to other parts of Italy, including Rome, Milan, and Naples. It later spread to N. Europe, including Flanders, the Dutch Republic, England, and parts of the HRE. Where 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??? • A relaxation of strict, church-controlled attitudes toward education, individualism, and action. • a time of creativity and change-spirit of adventure & a time of intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe • Only a small percentage of the Middle and aristocratic 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 Happen? • Florence became a very wealthy state due to trade (esp. in wool) and banking. • The reintroduction of “new” works by the Moors ignited an intellectual revolution.
Why else??? • The Medici family was extremely wealthy and spent great sums of money in Florence. • The church was losing its power & authority in the wake of new discoveries and the Great Schism.
Other Factors • Agrarian economy is becoming a commercial business • Workers who survived the plague can demand higher wages • Powerful and wealthy merchant class is growing in the cities • Fortunes are being made in banking and trade
Why else did it happen? • Castiglione’s The Courtier: uomu universale skilled in all arts, sciences, handsome, soldier, athlete, poet, student. Also, sprezzatura. • Machiavelli’s The Prince: demonstrated how noble princes should leadbut sanctioned realpolitik. • Printing Presses made works available.
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 Spirit • 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… • 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 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 Petrarch • 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 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 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.
Leaders of the Cultural Revolution • 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 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.
