Renaissance Vocabulary

Flashcards about the key vocabulary from the Renaissance

Renaissance

Considered the beginning of modern European History that occurred first in Italy c. 1300 and lasted until the mid-16th century then spread to Northern Europe around 1450 and finally England in the 16th century and lasted until the early 17th century

Signori

Despots who controlled much of Italy by 1300

Oligarchies

Rule of merchant aristocracies that controlled much of Italy by 1300

Commenda

Contract between merchant and “merchant-adventurer” who agreed to take goods to distant locations and return with the proceeds (for 1/3 of profits)

Condottieri

Mercenary generals of private armies who were hired by cities for military purposes

Cosimo de’ Medici

Allied with other powerful families of Florence and became unofficial ruler of the republic

Lorenzo de’ Medici

Significant patron of the arts

The Prince

The quintessential political treatise of the 16th century

Humanism

Revival of antiquity (Greece and Rome) in philosophy, literature and art

Virtú

The quality of being a man; idea of excelling in all of one’s pursuits

Civic Humanism

Idea that education should prepare leaders who would be active in civic affairs

Petrarch

Considered the first modern writer and father of humanism

Decameron

Consisted of 100 earthy tales that comprise a social commentary of 14th century Italy

Humanism

First to use the term “humanism”

Oration on the Dignity of Man

Perhaps the most famous Renaissance work on the nature of humankind

The Book of the Courtier

Perhaps most important work on Renaissance education

Printing press

One of most important inventions in human history

Giorgio Vasari

Contemporary Renaissance art historian who left much valuable information about Renaissance artists and their works.

Perspective

3-D effects on a 2-dimensional surface

Chiaroscuro

Use of dark and light colors to create the illusion of depth

Sfumato

A technique of blurring or softening sharp outlines

Contrapposto

With more weight on one leg than the other

Christian Humanism

Emphasized early Church writings that provided answers on how to improve society and reform the Church

In Praise of Folly

Satirized people’s worldly ambitions, including the clergy.

Utopia

Mixes civic humanism with religious ideals to describe a perfect (utopian) society located on an imaginary island

Skepticism

Doubt that true knowledge could be obtained

Flemish style

Heavily influenced by the Italian Renaissance, more detail throughout paintings (especially the background) than the Italian Renaissance, use of oil paints (in contrast to Italian Renaissance that used tempera),more emotional than the Italian style and works often preoccupied with death

Mannerism

Reaction against the Renaissance ideals of balance, symmetry, simplicity and realistic use of color

Querelles des Femmes

A new debate emerged over the proper role of women in society