Classical Humanism in the Renaissance

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Questions and Answers

What does the term Renaissance refer to?

Is Italian in origin, first put forth by 9th c historian Jacob Burkhardt in 1875.

One of the finest examples of French chateau architecture is the Chateaux de ___________.

Chenonceau

Which monarch invited esteemed Italian artists like Leonardo to his court?

Francois I

Italy was the centre and more ________ than elsewhere during the Renaissance.

least feudalized Signup and view all the answers

What was the nature of competition among the city-states of the Early Italian Renaissance?

Fierce commercial rivalry Signup and view all the answers

Venice's wealth resulted from all but which of the following?

Papal influence Signup and view all the answers

What reflects Venice's position as a link between East and West?

The interior mosaic program for St. Mark's has explanatory labels written in both Latin and Greek. Signup and view all the answers

What city commissioned Lorenzetti's Good Government fresco?

Siena Signup and view all the answers

Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance due to its wealth accumulated from which two trades?

Wool and Banco Signup and view all the answers

What type of government did Florence have in the early Renaissance?

A representative government Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Renaissance is NOT true?

Its ideas appealed to the nobility Signup and view all the answers

Who provided patronage for Renaissance humanists and artists like Michelangelo in Florence?

Medici Signup and view all the answers

What is the last half of the fifteenth century in Florence known as?

The Laurentian Era Signup and view all the answers

What does Classical Humanism refer to?

The artistic and intellectual movement to recover, edit, and study Greek and Roman manuscripts. Signup and view all the answers

How did Humanism differ from earlier revivals?

It attracted the interest of a broad population, not just theologians. Signup and view all the answers

Petrarch is called the Father of Humanism for all but which reason?

His made use of the printing press to disseminate his information Signup and view all the answers

Petrarch was one of the first poets to write in what form?

Sonnet Signup and view all the answers

What was the Renaissance studiolo?

A small study retreat Signup and view all the answers

Many Renaissance humanists were affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

True Signup and view all the answers

What did Humanists place great emphasis on?

Learning improves and ennobles Signup and view all the answers

In the 14th century, the scholastic approach to learning was being tempered by a renewed interest in classical literature.

True Signup and view all the answers

What aided the spread of the Renaissance?

Technical developments in printing, improved transportation and roads, scholars learning each other's languages. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 important to the Italian Renaissance?

As a result, Greek manuscripts and scholars poured into Italy. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Greek learning exported from during the Renaissance?

The studiolo of Federico da Montefeltro. Signup and view all the answers

What is Finino known for?

Translating the entire body of Plato's works from Greek into Latin. Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT an essential part of the definition of virtù, according to Alberti?

Chivalry Signup and view all the answers

According to Alberti, __________ is the cause of many evils.

Idleness Signup and view all the answers

According to Alberti, humans are absolutely free to choose their own nature.

True Signup and view all the answers

Alberti reflects the ancient Greek and Roman value that business is a dishonorable profession.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is Alberti's opinion of the business of money-making?

Riches are useful for gaining friends and praise. Signup and view all the answers

What makes Pico unusual for his time?

He could read Arabic. Signup and view all the answers

In Pico's Oration on the Dignity of Man, what does he proclaim?

The centrality of free choice. Signup and view all the answers

In his Oration on the Dignity of Man, what rank in creation does God assign to humankind?

Free to design its own nature. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does Pico's Oration not emphasize?

Man has unlimited potential Signup and view all the answers

Castiglione established the educational ideal in the person of l'uomo universale (the well-rounded individual).

False Signup and view all the answers

What was not a characteristic of Castiglione's model courtier?

Athletically fit Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary obligation of the well-rounded male courtier according to Castiglione?

The duty of a well-rounded person is to become wealthy. Signup and view all the answers

What English word best captures the sense of Castiglione's description of a perfect courtier trained in mediocrit?

Grace Signup and view all the answers

What does Sprezzatura suggest about the courtier?

He should do whatever he does best to the best of his abilities. Signup and view all the answers

According to Alberti, only a lack of education prevented women from realizing their full potential.

False Signup and view all the answers

According to Castiglione, in what should the Renaissance lady be most like the gentleman?

Knowledge of letters, music, and painting. Signup and view all the answers

Lavinia Fontana's subject in her portrait is clearly a member of which class?

Upper Signup and view all the answers

Sofonisba Anguissola was the first female artist known to have become famous among her contemporaries.

True Signup and view all the answers

Whose errors does Marinella point to as the basis for misogyny?

Aristotle Signup and view all the answers

Why do men dress like soldiers according to Marinella?

To intimidate everyone. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the humanist letter of Cereta from Marinella's treatise?

Marinella describes the alleged deficiencies of men Signup and view all the answers

What was one factor that increased the number of women writers in the Renaissance?

Printed books became available. Signup and view all the answers

Fra Savonarola had a significant impact on which of the following?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What marked the end of the Golden Age of Lorenzo and the decline of Florence's support for the arts?

Savonarola's brief span of power. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Renaissance Overview

The term "Renaissance" originates from Italian, introduced by historian Jacob Burkhardt in the 9th century.
It represents a major cultural revival that emphasized classical learning and artistic expression.

Architectural Highlights

Chenonceau is a prime example of French chateau architecture, showcasing a blend of Gothic style and Renaissance elements with its cross-shaped design and central staircase.

Influential Monarchs

Francois I aimed to uplift France’s cultural standing by inviting renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci to his court.

Italian City-States Dynamics

Italy's relatively low feudalism and an agricultural economy are among the lesser reasons it became the Renaissance's epicenter, which heavily relied on commercial rivalry among city-states, akin to ancient Greece.

Wealth and Power in Venice

Venice’s wealth stemmed from trade, excluding papal influence as a contributing factor.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica features Byzantine architecture and includes Latin and Greek inscriptions reflecting Venice's role as a cultural bridge between East and West.

Political Turbulence

Italian city-states experienced frequent political upheaval, making art like Lorenzetti's Good Government fresco crucial for civic identity, commissioned by Siena’s city leaders.

Florence's Economic Base

Florence, a cradle of the Renaissance, thrived on its wool and banking trades.

Government Structure

Florence operated under a representative government during the early Renaissance period.

Misconceptions of Renaissance Appeal

The Renaissance primarily attracted the middle class rather than nobility.

Medici Influence

The Medici family played a pivotal role in supporting Renaissance artists and humanists through their financial and political clout.

The Laurentian Era

Lorenzo de Medici, known as "Il Magnifico," was a significant figure in Florence's cultural development, with the latter 15th century referred to as the Laurentian Era.

Humanism Defined

Classical Humanism emerged as an intellectual movement focused on reviving Greek and Roman texts and valuing human dignity, contrasting with Medieval beliefs of mankind's worthlessness.

Broader Appeal of Humanism

Unlike previous revivals, humanism appealed to a wider audience beyond theologians.

Petrarch's Contributions

Petrarch, recognized as the "Father of Humanism," was notable for his passion for antiquity, although not for using the printing press as a dissemination tool.

Influence of Greek Literature

The Aeneid by Virgil and Aristotle's works became fundamental texts in the study of classical literature, reinforcing humanistic ideologies.

Spread of Renaissance Ideas

The Renaissance expanded due to advancements in printing technology, improved transportation, and language studies among scholars.

Fall of Constantinople

The 1453 Fall of Constantinople resulted in an influx of Greek scholars and manuscripts into Italy, significantly influencing the Renaissance.

Role of Scholars

Scholars in Florence, particularly within Federico da Montefeltro’s studiolo, played essential roles in exporting Greek learning across Europe.

Alberti's Ideals

Alberti emphasized classical education and hard work for personal development, associating idleness with societal ills.

Individual Choice in Humanism

Pico della Mirandola’s Oration on the Dignity of Man framed human beings as fundamentally free to choose, highlighting the significance of free will in humanistic thought.

Castiglione's Courtier

Castiglione laid out the ideal of the well-rounded individual in "The Book of the Courtier," emphasizing moral action over appearance.

Gender Perspectives

Despite advocating for education, Alberti stated that women's lack of education impeded potential; Castiglione suggested women should emulate men in cultural knowledge.

Women in Renaissance Art

Lavinia Fontana emerged as a distinguished female artist, while Sofonisba Anguissola gained recognition for her talent among her six artistic sisters.

Misogyny in Philosophy

Lucretia Marinella countered criticisms of women, attributing misogynistic views to Aristotle, and pointed out societal expectations placed on men.

Influence of Print

The advent of printed books facilitated an increase in female writers during the Renaissance.

Savonarola's Impact

Fra Savonarola's denunciation of humanism influenced Florence's populace and noted figures like Botticelli and Pico della Mirandola.

Decline of Artistic Patronage

The Laurentian Era's decline in Florence's role as a cultural hub coincided with Savonarola's temporary ascendance to power.

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Explore the key concepts of Classical Humanism during the Renaissance through flashcards. Understand terms and architectural examples that highlight this influential period in history. Perfect for students wanting to enhance their knowledge and retention of Renaissance art and culture.