European History

Renaissance

A time period of the European cultural, artistic, political, and economical “rebirth” following the middle ages which took place from the 14th through the 17th centuries. This movement promoted the rediscovery of classical (Greek and Roman)philosophy, literature and art.

Humanism

A philosophical understanding of the power of one individual human, and the enhancement of that power through collective work.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Diplomat and historian who looked to the ancient Romans for models and their ideas involving politics

- Author of The Prince – use any means necessary to ensure the state is unified and efficient – 

“The ends justifies the means”

“It is better to be feared than loved”

Perspective

A painting technique which creates the illusion of depth on a flat canvas by making distant objects smaller than those in the foreground

Leonardo da Vinci

- Painter, sculptor, engineer, architect who used his experiments in science to enhance his paintings - studies of anatomy helped him to draw the human figure and mathematics helped him organize the space in paintings.

-Most famous for the Mona Lise and The Last Supper

Michelangelo

- Master of Renaissance art

- His most famous work is the statue of the biblical hero David -a declaration of the perfection of the human force

- he wanted to portray the human being as a reflection of divine beauty: the more beautiful the body, the more godlike the figure.

Johannes Gutenberg

The invention of the movable-type printing press in 1450 by Johannes Gutenberg led to the production of books and made new ideas available to more Europeans faster than ever before.

William Shakespeare

A famous English poet and playwright who used plots from ancient texts and rebooted those ideas to create comedies, tragedies and histories

Pieter Brueghel

Painted lively scenes of festivals, peasants, and dances. Used paintings as a social commentary against the cruelty of society

Hans Holbein the Younger

Portrait painter who reflected the Renaissance interest in the individual – painted by Henry VIII and Sir THmoas More - traveled throughout Europe to complete his work. 

Thomas More

England (1516) Published Utopia – he criticized his society by describing an imaginary ideal society in which all citizens were equal and work together to support the society

Erasmus

A Roman Catholic priest who wrote The Praise of Folly (1509)- he argued for the Catholic Church, which had become more complicated and ceremonial during the Middle Ages, to return to the original simple message of Jesus - influenced future reformer, Martin Luther

Raphael

The School of Athens is considered one of the greatest paintings of all time. Raphael's use of classical themes and subjects was revolutionary for its time and had a significant impact on the art world.

Petrarch

Believed classical writers were committed to virtue in both public and private life and could best be imitated if one studied their writings through a classical education.

He attempted to combine ancient Greek and Roman teachings with Christianity to reinvigorate the faith- Live a full and active life on earth and less time for spiritual activities - AND THAT’S OK!!!!!

Castiglione

Italian diplomat and author of The Book of the Courtier (1528)

– Focussed on the role of the courtier - discussing how people should act serving in the king’s court and thus how they should act in society - one must be educated and well-rounded.

• The most famous book from the Renaissance time period.

Medici Family

The Medici family ruled the city of Florence throughout the Renaissance. They had a major influence on the growth of the Italian Renaissance through their patronage of the arts and humanism.

Origins of the Renaissance

• The Crusades and trade with Africa and Asia brought Italians into contact with the Byzantine Civilization which had preserved much learning from classical Greece and Rome.

• Many Italian citizens and educated merchants acquired wealth through trade and industry. They became great patrons of the arts and promoted an artistic awakening

The Humanists & Characteristics of Humanism

• Glorification of humanity and its abilities

• Optimism about life

• Observing nature and gaining knowledge

• Greek and roman literature

• Politics and Government 

• How to live a well-rounded life

Characteristics of Renaissance artwork 

• Realism-Lifelike human figures and the rugged countryside

• Perspective -A painting technique which creates the illusion of depth on a flat canvas by making distant objects smaller than those in the foreground

• Use of Shadow & Light- Shows where to focus on the painting

Origins of the Northern Renaissance

New ideas, often carried by northern European students who had studied in Italy, soon traveled to Germany, the Netherlands, France and England

Similarities and differences between Italian and Northern Renaissance writers and artists 

 Unlike the Italian humanists, most northern humanists were interested in the early Christian period as well as early Roman and Greek cultures