Key Concept Packet 1.1: Renaissance Humanism and Art

Flashcards defining key vocabulary terms, figures, and published works from the Renaissance Humanism and Art lecture notes.

Humanism

An intellectual movement in Renaissance Italy based on the study of the Greek and Roman classics.

Secularism

The process of becoming more concerned with material, worldly things, and less with spiritual and religious ones.

Individualism

Emphasis on and interest in the unique traits of each person.

Civic Humanism

An intellectual movement of the Italian Renaissance that saw Cicero as an ideal and held that humanists should be involved in government and use their rhetorical training in service of the state.

Textual Criticism

Evaluating texts that involve religion, beliefs, or historical facts without religious emotions.

Niccolò Machiavelli

A secretary to the Florentine Council of Ten who had many significant diplomatic missions, experienced statecraft first-hand, and authored The Prince.

The Prince

A work published in 1513 by Niccolò Machiavelli reflecting his experience with statecraft and diplomatic missions.

Baldassare Castiglione

An Italian courtier and diplomat who authored The Book of the Courtier.

The Book of the Courtier

A work published in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione that described and set the basic standards that the perfect noble should follow.