L1-HUMANISM-NOTES

Flashcards about Humanism, Renaissance, and the Reformation era.

Renaissance

The period of transformation from the medieval feudalism to the modern age, denoting the revival of ancient Greco-Roman culture, which began around the 14th century.

Humanism

A world view that places human beings at the center, highlighting their individuality, emotions, reasoning, and worldly life. It emerged as a response to medieval scholasticism and Christian theology, emphasizing rational inquiry and human welfare.

Black Death

The plague that caused widespread death and disillusionment, leading people to focus on human wellness and earthly life, seeking scientific understanding instead of religious explanations, paving the way for Humanism.

Humanism in Renaissance Art

Brought realism and emotion into art, focusing on accurate human anatomy, natural landscapes, use of perspective and light, and portraying divine figures in idealized human forms.

Humanism in Renaissance Literature

Focused on individual liberty, human emotions, secular and rational ideas, and writers wrote in regional languages to reach wider audiences.

Commercialization in Europe by the 11th century

Led to the disintegration of the medieval feudal system and the decline of religious supremacy, causing the emergence and domination of the new wealthy class.

Renaissance Paintings

Focus on the beauty of the human form, originality, and a naturalistic use of colors. They often selected themes that emphasized theological significance.

Renaissance Sculpture

Features Realism and Naturalism, use of perspective, balance and proportion, classical influence, use of light and shadow, individualism, secular as well as religious themes.

Cassandra Fedele

The most notable Italian woman humanist and writer, who earned a name through her writings and speeches, emphasizing the importance of providing higher education to women.

Printing Press

Played a significant role in popularizing literature during the Renaissance period. Helped spread knowledge, support education, promote new ideas, and change society by making information available to everyone.

Masaccio

A painter who created a profound impact on all artists who came later. His wall paintings, characterized by their round in shape and seemed to protrude from the surface, showcased human figures engaging in everyday life experiences.

Leonardo da Vinci

A versatile genius who scientifically studied the human body. Famous for 'The Last Supper' and 'Mona Lisa,' paintings that speak of the unique way in which da Vinci harmonises colour, shadow and light.

Michelangelo

An immortal artist who paintings done on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at Vatican, along with 'The Last Judgment.' His works predominantly feature powerful and graceful human forms.

Donatello

Sculptor of the iconic bronze sculpture 'David,' which showcases a youthful figure standing with his weight shifted onto one leg.

Historiography during the Renaissance

Shifted from divinely ordained historical events to human-centered explanations and interpretations, emphasizing archaeological evidence and relics.

Renaissance Science

The beginning of modern science, with big changes happening in astronomy, challenging geocentric models and developing new understandings of the solar system.

Reformation

Resulted from the influence of humanism, as humanists and reformers criticized the Catholic Church, leading to the Protestant Reformation.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church's reform movement in response to the Reformation, aimed at correcting problems and making changes within the Church.