Unit 2: Renaissance Art and Humanism Overview

Who is known as the 'Father of Humanism'?

Petrarch (1304-1374)

What did Petrarch emphasize in his teachings?

The importance of individual experience and moral philosophy.

What is Giovanni Pico della Mirandola's notable work?

'Oration on the Dignity of Man'

What key belief did Giovanni Pico della Mirandola hold about philosophies?

He believed all philosophies shared universal truths.

What was Girolamo Savonarola known for criticizing?

The corruption and materialism of the Renaissance.

What significant event is Girolamo Savonarola famous for?

The 'Bonfire of the Vanities,' where luxury items and secular art were burned.

What is Leonardo da Vinci often referred to as?

The embodiment of the 'Renaissance Man.'

What are two of Leonardo da Vinci's famous works?

'The Last Supper' and 'Vitruvian Man'

What are the main themes of Renaissance art?

Humanism, humanities, classics, secularism, activism, individualism, and realism.

What is a Book of Hours?

A Christian devotional book used for prayer, often with illuminated manuscripts.

What characterizes Byzantine Icons?

Religious art with gold backgrounds, flat figures, and symbolic imagery.

What does Michelangelo's 'Creation of Adam' focus on?

Human dignity and divine connection.

What does Michelangelo's 'David' celebrate?

Human strength, beauty, and potential.

What themes are explored in Cranach's 'Venus and Cupid Carrying the Honeycomb'?

Mythological and sensual themes, reflecting human desire.

What does Raphael's 'School of Athens' symbolize?

The Renaissance classical revival.

What does Gentileschi's 'Judith Slaying Holofernes' depict?

Strong female figures with emotional realism.

What was the impact of the Gutenberg Printing Press?

Enabled mass production of books, making classical texts and humanist ideas widely available.

What social consequence of the Renaissance affected Jewish populations?

They were often marginalized, but some urban communities engaged with new ideas.

How did the Renaissance influence the Protestant Reformation?

Humanist critique of the Church helped spark reform and emphasized individual faith.

What role did the Renaissance play in the Scientific Revolution?

It fueled scientific inquiry and challenged old views.

What was a significant outcome of the Age of Exploration during the Renaissance?

Human curiosity and classical geography led to new voyages and overseas expansion.

What literary movement flourished in Elizabethan England?

Literature flourished with writers like Shakespeare and Marlowe, focusing on personal and emotional themes.