THE RENAISSANCE
I. Definition of “The Renaissance”
A. Rebirth (in French): Renaissance society viewed itself as a rebirth of the Classical Civilization begun by Greece and Rome
B. Time period: No exact beginning or end
1. Usually said to begin in Italy in mid-14th century (the writings of Francesco Petrarch) until the end of 16th century.
2. Reached height in Europe in different places at different times.
a.Ends in Italy with sack of Rome by troops of Charles V in 1527; returning troops helped to spread the Renaissance.
b.Does not begin in England until reign of Henry VIII, 1509-1547, reaches height in England under Elizabeth I, 1558-1603.
3. Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 brings end to the Roman Empire in the East
4. Renaissance moved north out of Italy, ending in 1520s, and lasting in England until early 1600's
C. Considered the beginning of modern European history
D. Characterized by changes in areas of human thought and activity: political, cultural, economic, intellectual, scientific
E. Printing with moveable type invented by Johann Gutenberg spread Renaissance writers and lowered cost of education and spread literacy.
F. Spirit of the Renaissance was first widespread in Italy because of freedom citystates to pursue own interests in banking and trade
1. Italy had ruins of Roman civilization reminding Italians of the Classical Age
2. Italy had never developed a complete feudal system
3. Italy opened up trade with the high civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean area interacting with Byzantine and Muslim traders
4. Trade brought wealth to support beautification efforts such as artistic pursuits
a. Competing despots used their great wealth to beautify and improve their cities
b. Patronage of the arts was a way of gaining support from masses
5. Italian citystates were at peace for High Renaissance
a. High Renaissance coincides with peace and balance of power among the Italian citystates
b. Warfare ends the Renaissance in Italy but the invading armies carry home Italy’s developing high culture
6. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 brought many Greek scholars to Italy
II. Characteristics
A. Classicism: admiration and imitation of the civilization of the Classical Age
1. Renaissance looked to ancient Greece and Rome for its models rather than to Medieval Europe
2. Earliest activities of Renaissance scholars were translating Classical documents found in monasteries into vernacular languages
3. Early Renaissance works feature classical reference and imitation
B. Secularism: Describes the change in attitude toward life from the medieval to modern period
1. Medieval emphasis was on earthly life as a preparation for afterlife
2. Medieval attitude was replaced by a greater emphasis on enjoyment of life in this world
a. Shift in emphasis from concentrating on afterlife to enjoying the gift of life in present
b. Original Renaissance was not an attack on Church dogma
3. Vernacular languages replaced Latin in literature and usage by educated class
C. Individualism: Glorified individual man Medieval man was submerged in a group: class or occupation
1. Great medieval art produced by unknowns who worked silently for the glory of God and reward in the afterlife: works were unsigned
2. Renaissance artists signed their work, taking credit, developing individual styles distinctive from others
3. New liberal education curriculum introduced (promoted by Vittoriano of Feltré) to train individual to be versatile and enjoy life
4. Renaissance etiquette (Castiglione's Courtier, 1528) glorified talented and versatile individuals or patronizing such individuals
a. Ideal man of the Renaissance knew everything about everything
b. He was a man of much knowledge and many talents
5. Renaissance was one of greatest periods in history for individual accomplishments
D. Humanism: Enthusiasm for Classical culture, art and literature of ancient Greece and Rome
1. Early Renaissance defined Humanism narrowly as the search for, translation of, and the study of ancient manuscripts
2. Humanism broadened into the study of humanity: It emphasized the study of man and the world about him and his relationship to God
3. Marsilio Ficino, translator of Plato, wrote that only the human has a unique faculty of intellect
4. Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man expounded on human virtues
5. Renaissance scholarship and education curriculum emphasized the "liberal arts": literature, history, art, music, philosophy
E. Rationalism or Reason: A new trust in the individual abilities of the mind to discover new knowledge
1. The works of ancient science were rediscovered through translations
2. Humanists developed a questioning attitude in contrast to medieval man; free inquiry and experimentation followed
3. Renaissance humanism contrasted with the medieval attitude of acceptance of knowledge based on faith, authority, and tradition
F. Realism: The effort to look at and portray life in its real, not ideal, sense
1. Use of perspective, chiaroscuro, and other techniques to show realistic scenes of life
2. The depiction of genuine emotion in art and literature
III. Italian Renaissance literature
A. Exhibited characteristics of classicism, humanism, secularism, individualism, and rationalism
B. Leading contributors
1. Dante Alighieri (12651321) wrote Divine Comedy: Medieval view of life but written in Italian (vernacular) with Classical references
2. Francesco Petrarch (13041374)
a. Called the “Father of Humanism”: Translated works of the ancient Romans expressing his admiration for the Classical age
b. Wrote poetry: the Petrarchan sonnet=from the Italian for song
3. Giovanni Boccaccio (13131375): "Father of Italian Prose"; wrote Decameron, collection of classical and medieval stories
4. Niccolo Machiavelli (14691527): Most noted of Italian writers on politics (new area of study)
a. Chief work is The Prince, first work of modern, realistic politics
b. Separated politics from morality; ruler may use any means to stay in power ("the end justifies the means")
c. Wrote in period of foreign invasion of Italy hoping to inspire strong ruler to unify city-states into a nation and drive out invaders.
IV. Northern Renaissance literature
A. The Northern Renaissance ran in conjunction with Reformation
1. Individualism meant religion was to be meaningful to each individual life
2. The qualities of individualism, humanism, and rationalism inspired Reformation leaders
3. Secularism provided the grounds for much of the acceptance of Renaissance ideals in literature
B. Greater interest in studying ancient Greek as the language of New Testament of the Bible
C. Northern humanists interested in religion as basis for morality and ethical life stressing piety and humility over individual accomplishment
D. Major contributors
1. Johann Reuchlin German (14551522): Published HebrewLatin dictionary for Old Testament of the Bible translation
2. Desiderius Erasmus – Dutch (14661536) – leading Christian Humanist attempting to reform the Church through humanist scholarship
a.In Praise of Folly:witty, biting satire on human behavior of the time
b.Translated the New Testament of the Bible from Greek into Latin exposing errors in accepted Bible of the day
c.Argued for greater imitation of Christ’s lifestyle rather than on extensive worship
3. Thomas More English (14781535): Wrote Utopia expressing his ideal view of society and, indirectly, his criticism of his own world
4. Francois Rabelais French (14951553): Wrote Gargantua and Pantagruel, biting satire on behavior (in French)
5. Michel de Montaigne French (15331592): Essays show classicism and individualism and his opposition to oppressive dogma
6. William Shakespeare English (15641616): Plays and poems reveal humanistic ideas, classical inspiration, and patriotism
7. Miguel de Cervantes Spanish (15471616): Wrote Don Quixote ridiculing knighthood and chivalry of medieval times
V. Fine arts of the Renaissance
A. Characteristics
1. Influenced by Classical works; sculpture and architecture often imitated classical works
2. Works emphasized realism, attention to detail, and a desire for perfection
a. Fillipo Brunelleschi discovered the mathematical rules of linear perspective to show depth on a flat surface
b. "chiaroscuro" was used to distinguish foreground from background colors demonstrating observation of the properties of vision
3. Depicted religious themes but showed secular or classical influence; depicted secular scenes and individual portraits
4. Emphasized nature and its beauty through realistic depiction
B. Evolved from Medieval art depicting religious themes with new techniques; showed a new sense of realism in backgrounds and greater attention to realistic depiction of human beings
1. Giotto (12761336): Allegorical backgrounds and religious subjects were shown with realistic naturalism
a. He is the transition figure from Medieval to Renaissance
b. His attempt at perspective is based on observation not mathematical rules
c. His figures show the first attempt at emotional expression
2. Masaccio (14011428): Pioneered perspective and the realistic depiction of human body
a.The first to apply Brunelleschi’s rules of linear perspective to actual work
b.Most famous works:The Trinity, Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
C. Italian painters achieved a great sense of naturalism and realism that had been lost in Medieval Period
1. Leonardo da Vinci (14521519): Versatile genius who used scientific studies of proportion and perspective in the achievement of realism; known best for "Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa"
2. Michelangelo Buonarotti (14751564): primarily a sculptor but his Sistine chapel frescos of "Creation" and "The Last Judgment" are often regarded as his greatest single masterpiece
3. Raphael Santi (14831520): Height of painting in combination of realistic skills and composition; famous for his "Madonnas"
4. Titian (Tiziano Vicellio) (14771576): the leading figure of Venetian school which perfected the use of color; noted for his portraits
D. Northern Renaissance developed oil painting earlier than the Italians; expressed ideas of Renaissance with northern alterations
1. Flemish school (of late Middle Ages) noted for realism and use of oils (oil paints discovered in Flanders in 14th century
2. Hubert Van Eyck, Flemish, (13661426) and Jan Van Eyck (13861440): perfected the use of oil as paint base; noted for realism and detail: Jan Van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait
3. Albrecht Dürer, German, (14711528): depicted strange, mythological fantasies and realistic subjects; painted and did wood cut prints
4. Hans Holbein, the Younger German (14971543): noted for portraits showing depth of character; court painter to Henry VIII
E. Sculpture in the Renaissance was mostly Italian
1. The realism and attention to detail of Classical sculpture was adopted
2. Individualism in style and depiction were added
3. Medieval sculpture had been used only as decoration for architecture usually in bas relief
4. The Renaissance developed sculpture as separate art form
5. Leading contributors
a. Ghiberti (13781455): Best known for doors of Baptistry in Florence cast in bronze, "The Gates of Paradise"
b. Donatello (13861466): Best known for "St. George" in armor and "David", the first freestanding nude since classical times
c. Michelangelo Buonarotti (14751564): greatest of sculptors; noted for "David", "Moses", 3 "Pieta"
F. Architecture individually used GrecoRoman elements
1. Fillipo Brunelleschi (13791446): designed the dome of the cathedral of Florence, "Il Duomo"
2. Donato Bramante (14441514): designed St. Peter's Basilica
3. Michelangelo Buonarotti (1475-1564): designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
4. French architects were the best outside Italy; their best example: The Louvre (1515)
G. Renaissance music developed polyphonic forms in the North and melodic forms in Italy
1. Palestrina (15261594): His “Masses” serve as best example of this combination
2. Vocal form of the madrigal developed in Italy
3. Harpsichord and violin family of instruments developed during the Renaissance; strings and woodwinds dominate instrumental music
4. Music reflected individualism and the new found joy in a secular life; the purpose could be for enjoyment rather than worship
VI. The Renaissance as the prelude to the Scientific Revolution
A. The interest of the humanists in the Classical Age rediscovered and translated earlier writings from the Classical Age
B. Careful translation of Classical documents served as the model for careful experimentation
C. Renaissance technicians used experimentation and observation to test their conclusions reached by reason
D. Many individuals combined the pursuit of any knowledge with the spirit of Renaissance, e.g., Leonardo da Vinci
E. Printing presses of Johann Gutenberg and others were used to spread the new discoveries
VII. The Renaissance and trends in politics
A. Territorial unification by marriage, conquest, or contract saw the increase in the size of states
B. Increasing centralization of government continued from late Middle Ages: most powerful states had unified and centralized
C. Decrease in the power of the nobility continued
D. Royal encouragement of commerce and industry (can been viewed as patronage) continued to grow
E. Encouragement of dynastic patriotism, loyalty to nationstate through monarch, brought growth of centralization and unification
F. Encouragement of the arts came through royal patronage
1. Italy: Medici family in Florence; Popes, e.g., Nicholas V, Julius II; Doges (rulers) of Venice
2. France: Charles VIII, Louis XII, Francis I
3. England: Henry VIII, Elizabeth I
VIII. The Renaissance and world exploration
A. Humanism brought the study of ancient geographic writings
B. The pursuit of money brought an interest in world trade
C. An interest in the outside world brought exploration
D. The questioning attitude and experimentation encouraged voyages of adventure
E. Exploration was part of Renaissance man's effort to find his real place in the surrounding world