Renaissance Key Figures and Concepts: Humanism, Art, and Cultural Differences

Humanism

Focus on human achievements and studying Greek/Roman classics.

Fatalism

Belief that everything is already decided and people can't change it.

Why did the Renaissance start in Northern Italy?

Italy was rich from trade, had big cities, and had Roman ruins that inspired new ideas.

Why is the individual important?

People believed each person has talent and can achieve great things.

Dante

Wrote The Divine Comedy in Italian (vernacular), helping make Italian a real written language.

Petrarch

"Father of Humanism"; loved ancient texts and wrote poems.

The Courtier by Castiglione

Book that describes the perfect Renaissance person—educated, skilled, well-rounded.

Medici Family

Rich bankers in Florence who paid artists (patrons) and supported the Renaissance.

Machiavelli

Wrote The Prince; said rulers should do whatever they must to keep power.

Michelangelo

Artist who made the David statue and painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Leonardo da Vinci

"Renaissance Man"; painted the Mona Lisa and Last Supper; inventor/scientist too.

Raphael

Painter known for School of Athens and calm, balanced art.

Bruegel

Northern painter who showed everyday peasant life.

Dürer

Northern artist famous for detailed woodcuts and engravings.

Jan van Eyck

Northern painter; used early oil paint and made very detailed, realistic pictures.

Northern vs. Southern Renaissance

Southern (Italy): Classical ideas, ideal beauty, big famous artists. Northern: More detail, everyday life, strong realism, lots of oil paint.