Renaissance in Italy & Northern Europe: Art, Ideas, and Key Figures

Renaissance

A cultural movement that began in Italy, characterized by a revival of classical art and ideas.

Humanism

Focus on human potential and achievements.

Individualism

Belief in the importance of the individual.

Secularism

Interest in worldly, non-religious topics.

Classicalism

Revival of Greek and Roman ideas.

Black Plague

A pandemic that killed 1/3 of Europe's population, leading survivors to demand higher wages and better living conditions.

Florence

The most important Renaissance city, known as the center of banking and trade, home to influential artists.

Medici Family

A wealthy family that sponsored artists and thinkers in Florence.

Printing Press

An invention that allowed for the quick spread of books and ideas.

Perspective

An artistic technique used during the Renaissance to create the illusion of depth.

Chiaroscuro

A technique in art that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to give the illusion of volume.

Renaissance Art

Characterized by realistic, 3D representations of people, emotion, and natural poses.

Classical Art

Idealized figures with balanced proportions and realistic anatomy.

Medieval Art

Flat, symbolic, and religious art with gold backgrounds.

City-States

Wealthy independent cities like Florence, Venice, and Milan that competed in art and learning.

Patronage System

A system where wealthy families funded art and architecture.

Advances in Art

Developments in perspective, realism, and anatomy during the Renaissance.

Growth of Literature

An increase in literature, philosophy, and science during the Renaissance.

Architecture Reborn

The revival of architectural styles including domes, arches, and symmetry.

Trade and Travel

Facilitated the spread of Renaissance ideas between Italy and Northern Europe.

Artists and Scholars Movement

The migration of artists and scholars north after wars in Italy, contributing to the spread of Renaissance culture.

Northern Renaissance

Focused on religion, everyday life, and detail.

Italian Renaissance

Focused on humanism, classical themes, and anatomy.

Impact of the Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450; books became cheaper & more available, ideas spread faster leading to the Reformation and scientific discoveries, and encouraged literacy and education.

Giotto

Early Renaissance painter; made figures look more human and emotional.

Brunelleschi

Architect; built the dome of Florence Cathedral; discovered linear perspective.

Ghiberti

Bronze sculptor; created 'Gates of Paradise' doors.

Donatello

Sculptor; 'David' was first free-standing nude since ancient times (contrapposto pose).

Masaccio

Used perspective and chiaroscuro to add depth and realism.

Botticelli

Painted mythological scenes like 'The Birth of Venus.'

Leonardo da Vinci

'Renaissance man'; painter, inventor, scientist. Works: 'Mona Lisa,' 'The Last Supper.' Used sfumato (soft blending).

Michelangelo

Sculptor and painter; 'David,' 'Pieta,' Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Raphael

Known for harmony and balance; 'School of Athens.'

Caravaggio

Dramatic lighting; chiaroscuro style (strong contrast of light and dark).

Van Eyck

Northern artist; perfected oil painting, rich detail.

Bosch

Painted strange, dreamlike religious scenes.

Albrecht Dürer

German; known for engravings and self-portraits.

Brueghel

Painted scenes of everyday peasant life.

Ideal man/woman

From Castiglione's The Courtier—educated, well-mannered, skilled in many areas.

Fresco

Painting on wet plaster (used by Michelangelo, Giotto).

Tempera

Paint made from egg yolk and pigment (before oil paint).

Oil Painting

Allows more detail, layers, and brighter colors (used in Northern Renaissance).

Sfumato

Blending colors and tones to create soft edges (used by da Vinci).

Contrapposto

Natural standing pose with weight on one leg (used in Donatello's David).

Petrarch

'Father of Humanism'; rediscovered classical texts.

Machiavelli

Wrote The Prince—better to be feared than loved; rulers should be practical, not idealistic.

Baldassare Castiglione

Wrote The Courtier—described the ideal Renaissance man/woman.

Gutenberg

Invented the printing press.

Erasmus

Wrote In Praise of Folly—criticized Church corruption.

Thomas More

Wrote Utopia—described a perfect society.

The Low Countries

Center of Northern Renaissance art and oil painting.