Renaissance N2K Concepts

Renaissance

A period of renewed interest in art, literature, and learning in Europe, marked by the revival of classical ideas and values.

City-states

Independent, self-governing cities that became centers of trade, culture, and political power during the Renaissance.

Medici family

An influential banking family in Florence that became powerful patrons of the arts during the Renaissance.

Naturalism

An artistic style that seeks to depict subjects as they appear in nature, emphasizing realism and detail.

Humanism

An intellectual movement that emerged during the Renaissance focused on human potential and achievements. It emphasized the study of classical texts from Ancient Greece and Rome, promoting the values of individualism, critical thinking, and secularism. Humanists sought to apply reasoning and empirical evidence to understand the world, advocating for education that included literature, philosophy, and the arts, thus laying the foundations for modern human rights and democratic principles.

Filippo Brunelleschi

An architect and engineer known for his work on the dome of Florence Cathedral and development of linear perspective.

Giotto

A painter credited with breaking from the medieval style and introducing more naturalistic figures in art.

Lorenzo de Medici

A key patron of the arts in Florence who supported many artists and contributed to the cultural richness of the Renaissance.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the printing press, enabling mass production of texts and contributing to the spread of literature and ideas.

Leonardo da Vinci

A polymath known for his contributions to art (e.g., the Mona Lisa) and science, exemplifying the Renaissance ideal of a 'Renaissance man'.

Michelangelo

A renowned artist and sculptor famous for works such as the statue of David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Jan van Eyck

A Flemish painter known for his detailed oil paintings and contribution to the Northern Renaissance.

El Greco

A Greek painter who played a prominent role in the Spanish Renaissance, noted for his expressionistic style.

Petrarch

An Italian poet often referred to as the father of Humanism, known for his writings on love and individualism.

Erasmus

A Dutch philosopher who promoted humanist ideas and criticized societal norms through satire.

Raphael

An Italian painter famed for his beautiful Madonnas and contributions to the composition and harmony in art.

Commission

The act of assigning an artist to create a specific work, often used by patrons to promote culture and influence.

Satire

A genre of literature that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock societal norms.

Anatomy

The scientific study of the structure of the body, which artists like Leonardo da Vinci studied to achieve greater realism in their work.

Florence

A city-state in Italy that was a powerful center of art, culture, and commerce during the Renaissance.

Genoa

A maritime republic and city-state that was significant for trade and banking in Renaissance Italy.

Venice

An important city-state known for its trade, culture, and contributions to the arts during the Renaissance.

Milan

A wealthy city-state in northern Italy that became a center for art and culture during the Renaissance.