Important Figures of The Renaissance

Honors World Civilizations 9

Desiderius Erasmus - Writer

• Wrote largely about the need for a pure and simple Christian life (no rituals or politics).

• Famous for being a leading Christian humanist (his works are censored and condemned by the church)

• He believed in the education of children

Christine De Pisan - Writer

• Famous for writing works that focused on the role of women in society.

• Wrote a book called "The City of Women" which discussed the different views of women and their roles in society,

• She believed in equality and education for women

• She was widowed and she turned to writing to support her family.

William Shakespeare - Writer/playwright

• Famous for being the most famous English playwright of all time.

• Topics of his plays include natural science, humanism topics, and a deep understanding of human nature.

• Used language and themes that everyone understands and relates to.

  • He spread the ideas of the Renaissance to the masses through plays that were not religious but realistic.

Sir Thomas More - Writer

• Wrote the novel "Utopia" for a humanist audience that becomes widely read across Europe.

• Criticized the English government and society as a whole.

• The title of the book became a common word for an ideas society.

Jan Van Eyck - Painter

• Northern Renaissance Painter

• Painted the Arnolfini Wedding Portrait

• His work was extremely detailed

• Used everyday religion through use of symbolism

Pieter Brueghel - Painter

• Northern Renaissance Painter

• Painted Hunters in the Snow and Peasant Wedding

• Known for painting scenes of daily peasant life

Leonardo Da Vinci - Artist

• Painted The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa

• Advised dukes on architecture and weaponry

  • Surpassed his master's level of art

Michelangelo - Artist

• Sculpted The David (marble) and painted The Creation of Adam & The Sistine Chapel

• Shows David right before the battle with Goliath begins

• A true Renaissance artist who was both a master sculptor and painter

• Dissected corpses to learn more about human anatomy so that he could make his work as realistic as possible

Donatello - Sculptor

• Sculpted The David (bronze) which was the first free-standing male nude since ancient times which was controversial for the time period.

• Chose to show David after he had been victorious in his battle against Goliath.

Raphael - Painter

• Painted The School of Athens which is a fresco

  • He used his friends as models for the ancient philosopher that he was depicting in his painting

Niccolo Machiavelli - Writer

• Wrote a book called "The Prince"

• He believed it is better for a ruler to be feared than loved

• Political philosopher and statesmen who experienced violent politics.

• He described men as ungrateful, fickle, and liars (negative view of mankind)

• Power and ruthlessness were more useful than idealism.

Baldassare Castiglione - Writer

• Italian diplomat and humanist

• Wrote "The Courtier" (1528)

• It discussed how the perfect gentlemen and lady should act.

Filippo Brunelleschi - Architect

• Architect and engineer of the dome for the greatest cathedral in Florence.

• He used his knowledge of ancient architecture to solve the problems that the creation of the dome posed.

• Close relationship with the Medici family who were his patrons.