HISTORY - Renaissance: How is it Historically Significant - Ch.6

Renaissance

The rebirth or revival of European interest in the learning of Ancient Greece and Rome. Many look on the Renaissance as the start of the modern world.

Where and when did the Renaissance Start?

It began in Italy in the 14th century and ended in the 16th century.

How did Italians look on life during Ancient Rome?

Italians saw life during Ancient Rome a a high point in civilisation, with a good government, and great learning and knowledge

Humanism

A shift of the mindset from a focus on god to a focus of human knowledge during the Renaissance

How did Italians feel about the Middle Ages

They felt the Middle Ages were barbaric.

What did Petrarch say about the change from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Petrarch, a famous Italian poet said: the world is about to break out of darkness and return to the pure brightness of Ancient Greece and Rome

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

1. Ruins of Ancient Rome

2. City-state competition

3. Fall of Constantinople

4. The printing press

5. Wealth and patronage

The Ruins of Ancient Rome

These were studied and copied by Italian artist and other northern European artists. Artists wanted to make art and architecture that was equal to the ones of Ancient Rome

City-states Competition

Florence, Rome and Milan competed with each other to produce great pieces of art and architecture

Fall of Constantinople

Many scholars from Constantinople fled to Italy before the invasion of the Ottoman Turks in 1453. They brought with them the learning of Ancient Greece and Rome. They taught mathematics, philosophy, history geography, astronomy and medicine in Italy

The Printing Press

Johannes Gutenberg invented the moveable metal type and printing press in 1450 in Mainz, Germany. Gutenberg, a goldsmith, used his skills to make metal letters which were covered in ink and pressed onto a page.

The Bible was the first book PRINTED by Gutenberg and was sold at one tenth of the price of a handwritten one.

Hundreds were later built with Italy getting its first five years after it was invented

The printing press allowed knowledge about Ancient Greece and Rome to Spread around Europe quicker and cheaper

Wealth and Patronage

Italy grew rich from trade so merchants and rulers like the de Medici Family were patrons of the arts. They sponsored many artists as they wanted to show off their power and status.

Patron

Supporter of the artists during Renaissance

Tempera

Powdered colours

Egg Yolk Tempera vs. Oil tempera

Egg yolk was quick drying so no changes could be made while oil was slower drying. With oil, artists could use multiple colours and shade better.

Renaissance Painting Features

Some religious some not

Realistic people

Variety of colours

Depth

Oil painting

Canvas

RENAISSANCE CLOTHING IS A FEATURE OF RENAISSANCE PAINTING

Features of Medieval Paintings vs. Renaissance paintings

Religious only vs. some religious some not

Lifeless people with similar faces vs. Realistic people

Little variety in colour vs. Variety of colours

No depth vs. Depth

Egg yolk with tempera vs. Oil painting

Painted wood panels vs. Canvas

RENAISSANCE CLOTHING IS A FEATURE OF RENAISSANCE PAINTING

Perspective

Technique used by the artists of the Renaissance to create an illusion of depth

Fresco

A painting done on damp plaster

Painting on Wooden Panels

These were done more during the Middle Ages but few were made during the Renaissance. Paintings on wooden panels would peel.

Renaissance Sculptures - Anatomy

Sculptures were so realistic because many artists dissected bodies, and in order to sculpt people more realistically, artists studied the bones and muscles of the bodies.

Medieval Sculpture

• Had a religious theme

• Lacking in feeling

• Part of a church or cathedral

Renaissance Sculpture

• Realistic and lifelike

• Stand-alone sculpture

• More than religious themes

• Shows feeling

Renaissance Sculptors

Donatello, Ghiberti and Michelangelo

Medieval Architecture

Gothic style architecture:

• Buttresses and flying buttresses

• Rose windows

• Pointed arches over windows and doors

• Spires

Renaissance Architecture

Roman Style:

• Domes

• Rounded arches

• Pediment

• Columns

Who is Leonardo Da Vinci

A Renaissance artist, biologist, geologist, engineer and mathematician.

Where and when was Da Vinci Born

Was born in the village of Vinci near Florence in 1452

Who was Da Vinci Apprenticed to?

Master Verrocchio

Who did Da Vinci work for after he finished his training?

Ludovico Sforza, the ruler of Milan

How many bodies did Da Vinci dissect?

Leonardo was interested in anatomy. He dissected over thirty bodies of men and women of all ages which helped in his paintings

Paintings of Da Vinci

The Last Supper, the Mona Lisa and the Virgin of the Rocks

Sfumato

This method of painting created a fine shading so there is a gradual change in colours. It is used to create depth and make the painting more realistic. It means ‘smokiness’ in Italian

The Last Supper

The Last Supper was painted on a dining room wall of a monastery in Milan. It was painted with oil tempera on stone. Soon, it began to peel.

The Virgin of the Rocks

Da Vinci painted 2 versions of the Virgin of the Rocks. The paintings show the Virgin Mary and Jesus with John the Baptist and an angel. Leonardo used sfumato when painting. His background featured rocks and plants which showed his interest in nature.

Mona Lisa

Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa in Florence. Mona Lisa was the wife of a rich merchant. Leonardo used sfumato and created a natural background in the painting. It is probably the most famous painting in the world.

Leonardo’s Notebooks

Leonardo wrote about many topics such as biology, engineering, geology and mathematics. He wrote thousands of pages of ideas and wrote left handed backward so it was hard to see what he wrote.

He had made early concepts of helicopters, parachutes and tanks.

Da Vinci did not contribute to changes in science at the time as he hadn’t published any of his findings.

Da Vinci’s Death

When he was older, he was invited to live in France under the care and protection of King Francis I. Da Vinci died in France in 1519

Who was Michelangelo?

A Renaissance artist who made sculptures and paintings. He did a lot of art for the church.

Where and when was Michelangelo Born?

Near Florence in 1475

Who was Michelangelo apprenticed to?

Ghirlandaio

At what school did Michelangelo train at?

A sculpture school set up by Lorenzo de Medici, ruler of Florence.

Where did Michelangelo Work?

He worked between Florence and Rome

Who sponsored many of Michelangelo’s Pieces?

The popes of the church

Michelangelo Stone Quote

Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the job of the sculptor to discover it

Michelangelo Pieces of Work

• Pietà (sculpture)

• David (sculpture)

• The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

• The Last Judgement

• The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Pietà

Michelangelo’s first great work of art and the only one signed by him. The sculpture shows Mary holding her dead adult son Jesus. The sculpture is praised for how realistic it is with even the creases in the garments looking real

Where is the Pieta

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

What is the Pieta made from?

Carrara Marble

Michelangelo’s David

Michelangelo sculpted David from damaged block of marble. It is currently in Florence. David killed Goliath

The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He painted a fresco with four main scenes and many smaller scenes from the Old Testament.

It took him four years to finish it and he painted while lying on his back on scaffolding

The Last Judgement

The Pope asked Michelangelo to paint a fresco of the Last Judgement on the wall of the Sistine Chapel.

In the centre was god raising some to heaven and sending some to hell. Michelangelo also included Charon, ferryman of the River Styx

Michelangelo also included a self-portrait of himself being held by St. Bartholomew

Michelangelo Capitoline Hill

Michelangelo redesigned Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Ancient Rome. He created a piazza with three palaces around it and stairs leading up to it. The buildings featured classical designs.

The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

Michelangelo was asked by the pope to design the dome. It was Michelangelo’s last great project but he died before he could see its completion.

Where and when did Michelangelo die?

He died in Rome in 1564 at age 89

What citizens were women in the Renaissance?

Second-class citizens; they were denied political rights and if they married, they were legally subject to their husbands.

What role were women expected to take on?

Women were expected to perform the duties of a housewife.

Upper class woman career/life after education

Upper class women could marry or join the convent

Middle class women career/life after education

Middle class women sometimes worked in shops though this was rare

Poorer women career/life after education

Poorer women had to work very hard since they worked in the fields or as servants in the city and they also had to take care of their family

V. da Bisticci, Lives of Illustrious Men of the 15th Century quote

Women should follow these rules: the first is that they should bring up their children in the fear of god; and the second is that they should be quiet in church.

Who was Sofonisba Anguissola

The first woman painter to achieve international fame

Where and when was Sofonisba Anguissola born?

Cremona, Northern Italy, 1532

Who were Anguissola’s parents and what did they tell her to do?

Sofonisba’s father was a nobleman. Both of her parents encouraged her to study art

Anguissola’s apprenticeship

She was apprenticed to a local master and this set an example for many women who wanted to study art

Where did Anguissola go as part of her Education?

She went to Rome to study works of art there and to sketch people and scenes.

Who recognised Anguissola’s talent in Rome?

Michelangelo saw her talent and gave her advice on her sketches

Anguissola Portraits

Anguissola painted many self-portraits and many portraits of her family

Where are Anguissola’s portraits set?

Usually in everyday surroundings

What was Anguissola banned form doing?

Studying anatomy because she was a woman.

Anguissola Royalty

Anguissola was invited by King Phillip II of Spain to become a court painter where she painted portraits of the king and his family. This was a new challenge as she had to paint the elaborate costumes of the royal family

Anguissola later life

She married twice and continued to paint until her eyesight faded

In her old age, artist Anthony van Dyck sought her advice.

What did Anguissola teach Van Dyck Quote

While I was making her portrait, she alerted me to various things: not to hold the light too high, so the shadows aren’t too deep in the lines of an old person’s face, for instance

Anguissola Paintings

The Chess Game (1555), Self-Portrait at the Easel (1556), Painting of Queen Elizabeth of Spain (1599)

The Chess Game (1555)

Features a portrait Anguissola’s sisters playing chess

When did Anguissola die?

1625

Why was Anguissola so Important?

She was the first woman painter to achieve international fame and she inspired many including Lavinia Fontana

Who was William Shakespeare?

A Renaissance actor and playwright who is considered to be the best playwright in the English language ever by many. His plays had a massive influence on the English language.

Where and when was Shakespeare born?

Stratford-Upon-Avon, England in 1564

What did Shakespeare do in his twenties?

In his twenties, he became an actor and a playwright for the King’s Men, a theatre company in London.

What language did he write his plays in?

Vernacular, which was the people’s language

What did he contribute to the English language?

As his plays became more popular, they helped to standardise the rules and grammar of the English language.

He also invented new words that are used everyday such as: ‘eyeball’ and ‘lonely’

He also invented certain phrases such as: ‘in a pickle’, ‘with bated breath’ and ‘wild goose chase’

What did Shakespeare base his stories on?

Ancient Greek and Roman stories and also English history

Shakespeare characters

They were very realistic and showed a wide range of emotions

What invention helped Shakespeare and how?

The printing press helped Shakespeare spread his poetry and plays

Where were Shakespeare’s plays performed?

The Globe Theatre in London

The Globe Theatre

An open-air theatre in London. Plays had to be performed in daylight.

Who was attracted by Shakespeare’s plays?

His plays attracted the masses from a more lower class to a more richer class.

How many plays, sonnets and narrative poems did Shakespeare write?

• 38 plays

• 154 sonnets (14 line poem)

• 2 narrative poems

Tragedy Shakespeare Plays

Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Lear

Comedy Shakespeare Plays

The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

History Shakespeare Plays

Henry V, Richard II, Julius Caesar

When did Shakespeare die?

1616

Earth Location in Space Middle Ages

Many people during the Middle ages thought that the earth was the centre of the universe after Ptolemy, a Greek scientist had said so during the second century BC. It was even supported by the Catholic Church

Nicolaus Copernicus

A polish monk who studied mathematics, astronomy and medicine.

Copernicus View on Earth Location

Copernicus said the Earth orbited the Sun in his book ‘On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres’ which he published the year of his death.

Johannes Kepler

German Astronomer

Johannes Kepler Earth Orbit

Kepler used mathematics to prove Copernicus right about the sun being the centre of the universe but said that the earth’s orbits were elliptical or oval. These laws led to Isaac Newton’s law of gravity in the 17th century.

Where and when Galileo Galilei born?

Galileo was born in Pisa, Italy in 1564.

What did Galileo Study

mathematics and physics