Renaissance Key Terms

Pope Nicholas V

Founder of the Vatican Library who made the Vatican palace the official residence of the Pope.

city state

Municipal areas with political sovereignty and independence from other nations.

city state

Led to a looser structure of society in Renaissance Italy where there was greater freedom from the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church.

Raphael

High Renaissance artist and architect responsible for ‘School of Athens’.

Christine de Pizan

French Renaissance writer often credited with producing some of the first feminist pieces of literature.

Christine de Pizan

Championed the accomplishments of women throughout history and criticized society for its treatment of women.

Leonardo da Vinci

The ultimate example of a 'Renaissance Man,' he was a master of many disciplines and skills.

Raphael

His talents eventually led to his summoning to Rome by Pope Julius II where he became the artist in residence.

Petrarch

Considered the father of Renaissance Humanism.

Dante

Author of the Divine Comedy which explored social issues through a religious lens.

Leonardo da Vinci

High Renaissance artist responsible for famous works such as ‘The Last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’.

Dante

Majorly influential writer in the Italian Renaissance as his works were often published in the Italian vernacular.

Petrarch

He believed that God gave humans their intellect and wanted them to use their abilities.

Machiavelli’s The Prince

Describes how to gain and keep political power.

More’s Utopia

Demonstrative of Renaissance humanism, this book had major impact on the Northern European Renaissance.

Machiavelli’s The Prince

Encouraged leaders to abandon morality and instead act in self-interest.

More’s Utopia

Satirical work that applies classical ideas to contemporary issues in describing the ideal society.

Erasmus’ Praise of Folly

Included a depiction of sincere Christian belief with the potential to give mankind the ability to rise above the cares of the secular world.

Erasmus’ Praise of Folly

Work that criticized human nature and institutions such as the Christian church.

classicism

An emphasis on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, art and literature.

classicism

Explains the impact of Italy’s close proximity to ancient ruins in inspiring the Renaissance.

humanism

Encouraged the study of history, rhetoric, poetry and philosophy.

humanism

The belief in the potential of mankind and a focus on social issues.

individualism

Led to Renaissance artists signing their works in order to gain recognition and credit.

individualism

Encouraged the development of one’s personal taste and preferences.

secularism

Having to do with worldly issues and focus, rather than religious.

vernacular

Refers to the everyday common language spoken by a group of people.

secularism

Increased during the Renaissance as people felt less close with God and less trustful in the Church.

vernacular

Was used by many Renaissance writers to ensure that more people would have access to their ideas and creations.

Pope Leo X

Opponent of the Reformation who excommunicated Martin Luther in 1521.

Pope Leo X

Religious leader who turned Rome into a great center of culture and art, but nearly drove the Church to poverty.

Pope Nicholas V

Leader credited with bringing humanism to Rome - making it the center of Renaissance culture.

Patron

Describes many wealthy families, merchants, and even the Church during the Renaissance as they commissioned works of art.

Linear Perspective

Employs the use of Orthogonal Lines converging at a horizon line in order to create a sense of depth.

High Renaissance

Considered the peak of the Renaissance beginning around 1490.

Printing Press

Developed by Johannes Gutenberg in the 1400s, it allowed for the much quicker production of books and pamphlets at a much lower price.

Patron

A financial backer of an organization, cause, or activity.

Linear Perspective

More realistic technique used by Renaissance artists in which the size of objects indicated their distance from the viewer rather than their importance.

High Renaissance

Exemplified by iconic Renaissance works of art such as the Last Supper and The David - having a very developed styles both realistic and detailed.

Medicis

Very wealthy family and major patron of the arts in Renaissance Italy.

Medicis

Began a powerful banking dynasty in Florence.

Printing Press

Crucial invention in the spread of Renaissance ideas across society and modern Europe.