Renaissance

- Means “Rebirth”

Italy: The Start of the Renaissance

• The wealth from trade and the influence of powerful city-states helped create the ideal growth for the Renaissance to flourish.

• Italy’s geographical position in the heart of the Mediterranean made it a central area for trade.

Famous Paintings/Structures

1. Mona Lisa - Leonardo da Vinci

• Discussed because of the enigmatic smile.

• Da Vinci painted it so that the eyes always follow you.

• People still debate whether the Mona Lisa is smiling or not.

2. School of Athens - Raphael Santi

• Painted in 1511.

• One of the four main frescos on the walls of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican.

• Showed elements of philosophy, poetry, theology, and law.

3. Sistine Madonna - Raffaello Sanzio

• Painted in 1512.

• Intended for the monastery church of San Sisto in Piacenza.

4. The Ambassadors - Hans Holbein

• Many symbols are hidden in the painting.

• The most striking feature is the magnified skull stretching across the lower foreground.

5. Filippo Brunelleschi

• Designed the dome in 1436, the first dome of such scale built in 1,000 years.

Renaissance Beginnings

• Revival of interest in literature and art of ancient Greek and Romans.

• Bridged the gap from the Middle Ages to modern times.

• Transitioned from religious spirit (church teachings) to secular and humanistic concepts.

Italy’s History

• Cradle of the Renaissance

• Seat of the old Roman Empire relics.

• Close relations to Romans in blood and language.

• Wealthy cities and centers of trade (Florence, Venice, Milan, Genoa).

• Both rich and poor enjoyed equal opportunities.

Humanism

1. New movement

2. Encouraged people to live a full life and welcome new experiences.

3. Focused on having a better life in this world rather than waiting for the next.

Famous Humanists

1. Giovanni Boccaccio (Poetry & Prose)

• Wrote about the Black Death (terrible plague).

2. Desiderius Erasmus (Holland)

• Wrote In Praise of Folly.

• His works weakened the influence of the church.

3. Philip Melanchthon (Germany)

4. Thomas More (England)

• Wrote Utopia, envisioning an ideal society.

5. Niccolò Machiavelli

• Believed that “The end justifies the means.”

• Laid the groundwork for power politics and a new political science.

Masterpieces of the Renaissance

• Art became full of emotion and feeling—vigorous, natural, and lifelike.

Renaissance Titans

1. Leonardo da Vinci

• Multi-faceted genius and “Perfect Florentine.”

• Painter, sculptor, architect, mathematician, engineer, scientist, inventor, philosopher, musician, and anatomy expert.

2. Michelangelo

• Painted the Sistine Chapel (took 4 years).

• Architect, sculptor, painter, poet.

• Created the Statues of Moses and David and Tomb of Lorenzo.

3. Raphael Santi

• Italian Renaissance painter.

• His delicate figures and sensitive coloring made him a favorite artist.

• Known as a “Youthful Master.”

Giovanni Boccaccio

• Italian writer and poet from the 14th century.

• Wrote poetry, prose, and drama.

• One of the first writers to use Italian in his works.

• Born in 1313 in Certaldo, Tuscany, Italy.

• Had a great passion for literature from a young age.

• Studied law in Naples but abandoned it to pursue his literary interests.

• Prolific writer, producing poetry, biographies, and prose.Studied law in Naples but abandoned it to pursue his literary interest

Prolific Writer

Works include poetry biographies and prose

Decameron is his most famous work, 1348 during the outbreak of the Black Death, tells a story of young people 7 women, 3 men to escape the plague, it includes love, lust, trickery, deception, It is a masterpiece of the Italian literature and considered one of the greatest works of the fiction ever written, Renowned for its vivid and realistic descriptions of life in 14th century Italy

Boccaccio's Influence can be seen in works of writers Chaucer, Cervantes and Shakespeare

Works he wrote are also Filocolo, a romance novel, The Elegy of Madonna Fiammetta, Fictionalized autobiography

Prominent humanist, and his works are notable for their focus on human nature and the human experience

Deeply influenced by the classical writers of Greece and Rome, reflects this influence

Believed that literature should teach moral lessons and to promote understanding and empathy between people of different backgrounds

Died in 1375 Certaldo Italy at the age of 62

Legacy lives on through his works and his contribution to the Italian literature and to the development of the humanist movement has ensured his place in history as one of the greatest writers of the 14th century