Renaissance Exam Review Notes

Centered in Italy; referred to as the "rebirth" of classical antiquity.
Key Features:
- Emphasis on humanism: Focus on human potential and achievements rather than religious themes.
- Rise of secularism: Shift from church-dominated values to individual and worldly concerns.
Medici Family:
- Important patrons of the arts.
- Promoted revival in classical literature and developed philological approaches to ancient works.
Artistic achievements focused on:
- Secular concerns.
- Individual achievements.

Emphasis on religious reform alongside humanism.
Key Features:
- Introduction of new painting techniques and technologies.
- Example: Jan Van Eyck;
- Known for devotional art, particularly Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride.
- Emphasis on emotional intensity and early use of oil paint.
Focus on religious values, contrasting with the secularism of the Italian Renaissance.
Printing Press:
- Facilitated the spread of new ideas and art; increased availability of printed materials.

Admired Greek and Roman political institutions.
Supported revival of civic humanist culture in Italian city-states.
The Prince:
- A secular guide for rulers on acquiring and maintaining political power.
Influence:
- His ideas on political leadership significantly impacted future leaders and political thought.

Celebrated for glorifying human potential and the human form in the arts.
Notable Works:
- Sculpture of David in Contrapposto style.
- Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Patronage by the Medici Family.
His work reflected humanist ideals of individualism and potential.

Monarchs of Spain whose marriage unified the country.
Established the Spanish Inquisition to enforce Catholicism.
Strengthened monarchy's control over religious matters, consolidating their power by limiting nobility influence.

First monarch of the Tudor dynasty.
Reign marked the end of the Wars of the Roses, creating political stability in England.
Centralized power and strengthened the monarchy, leaving a lasting stable and prosperous government for successors.

Known as the "spider" of France.
Worked to strengthen and unify France following the Hundred Years' War.
Centralized authority and implemented economic policies that led to prosperity in France.

Architect commissioned by the Medici to complete the dome in Florence.
Innovated linear perspective in his designs, reflecting Renaissance ideals of symmetry, proportion, and geometry.

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg; revolutionized access to knowledge.
Became a major industry in Europe, significantly increasing literacy rates and disseminating Renaissance ideas widely.

Leader of Christian humanism.
Wrote influential works like Praise of Folly and Utopia.
Advocated for moral obligations of rulers towards their subjects and stressed the importance of education, influencing European schools.