1.2 Italian Renaissance

LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: How did the revivial of calssical texts contribute to the development of the Italian Renaissance?

LEARNING OBJECT 2: What were the political, intellectual, and cultural effects of the Italian Renaissance?

INTRODUCTION

  • Europe entered a transition from middle age to modern world (Renaissance)

    • Renaissance began in northern Italy & spread throughout

      • Renewed interest of Greece & Rome from Classical era 

      • Scholars broke from religous-based thinking—→ human potential

REVIVED INTERST IN THE CLASSICAL WORLD

  • Renaissance scholars took on new form of revived interst in classical text

    • Schoalrs were not members of clergy (different intrepretation)

      • secular, humanist perspective, language, philosphy, human value

ITALIAN RENAISSANCE HUMANIST

  • Renaissance intellectuals of the classics were also called humanist

    • Focused on human beings & inherent dignity (value & worth person has built into them) & potential

    • Broke from medieval philsophy (scholasticm)

      • focused on Roman Catholicism & relgious inquiries (God)

SHIFTS IN IDEAS ABOUT RELIGON

  • Humanist emphased different values than mideval scholars

    • Secularism (wordly rather than relgious)

      • scholars, artist, & writers also focused on government, education, art, science, & daily life (other than just God)

    • Individualism

      • focused on personal rather than relgious or political interest

      • personal talens, achievements, & creativity (instead of only serving church)

PETRACH

  • Italian poet & scholar (Father of Humanism)

    • Believed middle ages were time of decline for classics (Dark Ages)

    • Searched for forgotten latin manuscripts

      • Letters to Atticus by Roman statesman & orator (Cicero)

        • revealed insights into Roman politics

        • Petrach adopted Cierco as model for writing Latin

        • Petrach admired Cicero’s activeness in public life & ethnics

      • First scholars of era to write in Italian Vernacular (everyday language)

        • most books were written in Latin during middle age (limited to Educated clergy)

        • vernacular langauge (Italian, French, English)—→ more accessable literature, poetry, & new ideas

      • Developed philological apporaches for analyzing text on language

        • Lorenzo Valla interepreted Donation of Constantine 

          • was foregery because Latin didn’t match 4th century

MARSILIO FICINO 

  • Another important Italian Renaissance humanist

    • Studied Greek and Plato

      • connected Plato’s philsophy to recent Christian theology

      • translated Plato’s writings into Latin

    • Interested in Platonic Love

      • intense, spiritual love unconcern with money, power, or romance

    • Financed by rich and politically powerful Medici family for his studies

PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA

  • Intalian Renaissance philsopher & humanist 

    • Highly educated

      • studied philosphy & languages (Greek, Hebrew, Arabic)

      • went to major learning centers (Paris, Bologna, Florence)

    • Wanted to take philsophical views & blend them

      • “Oration on the Dignity of Man”

        • said humans were special because God gave them free will

        • humans could rise & become like angels through good acts

        • celebrated human potential & achievment

NEW CONNECTIONS, NEW CHALLENGES

  • Europe came into increased contact with Islamic world

    • brought back classical greek text in philsophy & science to Europe

    • Invention of printing press allowed more studies to become available

      • Spread of books & literacy—→ dominance of Catholic church declined (Classics & scientific inquiry became focus of education)

CHANGES IN EDUCATION

  • Renaissance scholars expanded learning beyond theology

    • Included literature, drama, & history—→ liberal arts (humanities)

      • humantities focused on well-rounded & active citizens

      • universities added humanist studies ontop of traditonal subjects

      • education emphasized classical Latin & Greek

      • women rarely trained as humanist (some like Isotta Nagarola did)

    • Key scholars supported increased study of classics

      • Leronardo Bruni: translated Greek/Latin works

      • Lero Battista Alberti: wrote in italian to reach wider audience

      • Niccolo Machiavelli: studied Livy (famous Roman historian) & applied Roman history political theory (The Prince)

CHALLENGES TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

  • Pope became more concern with political & financial power

    • Secular Renaissance culture—→ loss of spirtual authority

      • humanist adocated for return to simpler more human Christianity

        • criticized religious practices that were not based on Scripture

REVIVAL OF CIVIC HUMANIST CULTURE

  • Italian peninsula was collection of small regional kingdons (city states)

    • City-states were controlled by local dukes & powerful families

    • Florence, Milan, & Vienice were among the largest city states

      • would often control surrounding regions

    • City-states were very politically fragmented

      • geography naturally divided Italy

      • single, strong monarchy was never developed (indepedent rulers)

      • city-states had their own rivalries (competed over wealth)

      • threat of invasion from outside powers interferred with politics (Spain, French, Germanic forces)

GREEK AND ROMAN POLITICAL INSTITUIONS

  • Greek & Roman political institutions were also renewed

    • Humanist saw classical text as civic humanist culture

      • Athens was birth of democracy (eclection of representatives)

        • Roman Republic became represenative government

      • Roman politicans became secular models of leadership & citizenship

BALDASSARE CASTIGLIONE

  • Italian Renaissance writer, diplomat, & courtier

    • Wrote The Book of Courtier

      • established secular model for individual behavior by aristocrats

      • ideal courtier was classically educated, skilled, & engaged w life

      • established ideal wife helped her husand with this potential

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

  • Italian, Forentine diplomat who observed French & German politics

    • Shift in political power in Florence—→ exile of Machiavelli & others

      • Hoped to get hired by other political leader through poltical writings

        • The Prince:

          • provided advice to rulers (better to be feared than loved)

          • emphasized leaders need to be willing & but also virtious

          • broke down midieval political thought (politics to morality)

        • The Discourses:

          • looked to Roman Republic as model of government

          • emphasized laws over authoritarian prince (Machiavelli stilled favored use of absolute power)

      • Idea premise is that however dishonest or evil, means are needed to acheive positive results (ideology for later authoritarian regime)

FRANCESO GUICCIARDINI

  • Italian historian & political writer

    • Wrote about poltics & government based on real-life experiences

      • worked as governor, representative of two popes, & lieutenant

      • shared similar dark views as Machiavelli

RENAISSANCE IDEAS IN THE VISUAL ARTS

  • Medieval Art (Before Renaissance)

    • Focused mainly on relgious themes instead of realistic portrayl

    • Prainting lacked depth & had odd proportions

    • Used more symbolism instead of realism

  • Renaissance Art (inspired by Classical civilizations + Humanism)

    • Artist showed more personal & political messages in art (for patrons)

    • New technique were developed:

      • Naturalism: copying nature realistically, showing detail in human & environment

      • Geometric perspective: used math to show depth and distance, making painting look 3D

THE MEDICI FAMILY AND FLORENCE

  • Italian Renaissance patrons were rulers & popes

    • Commissioned work to increase their own prestige & flaunt wealth

      • Medici Family (controlled Florence)

        • commissions of painting, scultures, & architecture—→ Florence prospered & artist emerged famous (Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli)

ITALIAN SCULPTURES

  • Several Italian painters and sculptors dominated the period

    • experts consider Renaissance as time of termendous innovation & creativity

DONATELLO

  • Renaissance artist and sculptor

    • worked in marble & bronze (inspired by ancient classical sculptures)

    • created shallow relief panels that showed depth

    • known for realism, expressions, & detail

LEONARDO DA VINCI

  • Renaissance artist & polygot (studied art, science, anatomy, & engineering)

    • Studied nature, conducted experiments, drew designs for machines

    • Urged artist to go beyond realism (idealized & divine qualities)

    • combined science, observation, & art (embodies humanism & curiosity)

    • most known for Mona Lisa & Last Supper 

MICHEALANGELO

  • Renaissance artist and sculptor

    • funded by Florence government

    • emphasized human form, realism, and details (also some religon)

    • Focused on scences from biblical book of Genesis

    • David, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica in rome

      • Pope used him to revitalize prestige of papacy 

RAPHAEL

  • Renaissance painter

    • known for grace, blance, and clarity

    • commissioned by Pope Julius II (frescoes in Vatican palace)

    • School of Athens (geometric perspective & humanism)

ARCHITECTURE OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

  • Renaissance architects excelled in many subjects besides architecture

    • modern buildings reflects structures of artistic period

LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI

  • Skilled Renaissance artchitect

    • Fascinated with mathematics 

    • looked to classical architecture & literature to inspire him

    • designed Santa Maria Novella (mimics Roman temples)

ANDREA PALLADIO

  • Renaissance author & sculptor

    • known for creating many palaces

    • measured acient structures of Rome (created buildings similar)