Topic 1.2: Italian Renaissance

Renaissance

period of cultural rebirth and revival starting in the mid 1300s, emphasizing art, literature, and humanism

Humanism

intellectual movement focusing on human dignity and potential

Classical Era

period from 800 BCE to 500 CE of ancient Greece and Rome

Middle Ages

period of time between the classical era and the Renaissance

Secularism

focus on worldly rather than religious matters

Petrarch

father of humanism; Italian poet and scholar

Philogy

study of language history and textual analysis

Cicero

Roman statesman; influenced Renaissance humanist writing. His writing provided insights on political life in Rome

Vernacular

everyday language used by common people

Ficino

Renaissance humanist who studied Plato and translated texts; promoted Platonic love concepts

Scholasticism

medieval philosophy emphasizing religious inquiries

Individualism

focus on person interests over collective or religious one

Donation of Constantine

forged document disproven by Lorenzo Valla’s analysis

Lorenzo Valla

scholar who exposed the Donation of Constantine as a forgery

Renaissance Scholars

intellectuals who revived interest in classical texts

Human Dignity

concept emphasized by humanists, valuing individual worth

Platonic Love

intense, spiritual love beyond material concerns

Medici Family

wealthy family in Florence, prominent patrons of the arts

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

philosopher known for blending competing ideas

Oration on the Dignity of Man

Pico della Mirandola’s work on human potential and divinity

Crusades

12th century conflict increasing contact with the Islamic world; brought some classical texts back to Europe

Humanities

study of literature, drama, history, and arts

Liberal Arts

general knowledge areas, distinct from professional skills

Humanists

educators promoting human potential and civic engagement

Secondary Schools

institutions teaching humanities to younger students

Leonardo Bruni

translator of classical texts and biographer

Leon Battista Alberti

wrote in Italian for roader audience understanding; architect and theorist, wrote “On Painting”

Niccolo Machiavelli

Florentine diplomat and political writer; studied Livy, focused on political philosophy, wrote The Prince

Christian Humanists

scholars emphasizing early church texts in Europe

Spiritual Authority

influence of the church over believers’ lives

Renaissance Culture

secular movement impacting art, philosophy, and education

Isotta Nogarola

one of the few female humanists of the period

Human Potential

belief in individuals’ ability to acheive greatness

City-States

independent regions in Italy, often rules by families

Civic Humanist Culture

promotion of active citizenship inspired by classical texts

Athens

birthplace of democracy in classical Greece

Sparta

military-focused city-states in classical Greece

Roman Republic

representative government elected by the people

Baldassare Castiglione

author of The Book of the Courtier

The Book of the Courtier

guide on proper behavior for aristocrats, written by Castiglione

Ideal Courtier

classical educated, skilled in arts, civic-minded

Ideal Female Courtier

educated patron of the arts, support’s husband’s potential

The Prince

Machiavelli’s advice for rulers, separating politics from morality; power and politics

Political Unity

goal of rulers to achieve stability and independence

Cynical View of Human Nature

belief that rulers must be feared, not loved

Machiavellian

ends justify the means; lying and bribery may be necessary as a ruler; ruthless and cunning behavior

The Discourses

Machiavelli’s later work, advocating government under law

Renaissance Diplomats

represented their stated rather than the Christian empire

Despotism

oppressive and absolute power exercised by rulers

Francesco Guicciardini

Machiavelli’s friend and neighbor, wrote on politics from experience

Human Nature

Machiavelli and Guicciardini’s dark view of humanity

Visual Arts

art forms that reflect Renaissance ideals and techniques

Naturalism

artistic aim to imitate nature realistically

Cosimo de’ Medici

commissioned major architectural works in Florence

Filippo Brunelleschi

architect known for the Church of San Lorenzo

Church of San Lorenzo

Reflects Roman and Gothic architecture but on a human scale

Lorenzo de’ Medici

patron who supported artists like Botticelli

Renaissance Architecture

style incorperating classical elements on a human scale

Patrons of the Arts

wealthy individuals commissioning art for prestige

Symbolism in Medieval Art

heavy use of symbols, less focus on realism

Reniassance Painters

artists who emphasized realism and human experience

Donatello

Renaissance sculptor known for marble and bronze

Shallow Sculpture

Donatello’s innovative technique creating depth illusion

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance polymath known for the Mona Lisa

The Last Supper

fresco by da Vinci demostrating geometric perspective

Geometric Perspective

technique for representing three-dimensional objects in art; mathematical technique creting space in paintings

Fresco

watercolor on wet plaster

Michelangelo

Renaissance artist known for David and the Sistine Chapel

David

Michelangelo’s marble sculpture depicting the biblical hero

Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo’s painted celling in the Vatican

Papal Commission

pope’s funding for Michelangelo’s artistic works

Raphael

painter known for idealized Virgin Mary depictions

School of Athens

Raphael’s fresco showcasing classical philosophers

On Painting

Alberti’s book on creating three-dimensional images

Santa Maria Novella

Florence church designed by Alberti

Andrea Palladio

architect known for palatial designs and Roman influence

Renaissance Techniques

methods emphasizing harmony, balance, and order in art

Primavera

Botticelli's 1482 painting depicting classical mythology

Democracy

a system of government where the people hold the power and elect officials

Representative Government

the people can represent themselves or can elect someone to represent them