Renaissance Overview and Characteristics

Renaissance Overview

• The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth," was a period in European history, beginning in Italy and spreading elsewhere, marked by a renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture.
• Italians believed they were witnessing a rebirth of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
• This period of "rebirth" spanned approximately from 1350 to 1550.

Characteristics of the Italian Renaissance

• Urban Society: Italian city-states became centers of political, economic, and social life, fostering a secular (worldly) viewpoint. Increased wealth led to a greater appreciation for material possessions.
• Recovery from Disasters: The 14th-century disasters (plague, instability, decline in church authority) were followed by a rebirth of interest in ancient cultures, art, and politics.
• New View of Human Beings: Emphasis on individual ability and achievements led to a new social ideal—the "well-rounded," versatile individual capable in various fields (ex: Leonardo da Vinci).
• Impact on the Wealthy: The upper classes actively embraced these new ideas and activities, while the impact on ordinary people was indirect. Visual examples of the artistic and intellectual achievements were prevalent.

Italian City-States

• Independent City-States: Italy, unlike other parts of Europe, never developed a centralized monarchical state. Instead, several powerful city-states emerged in northern and central Italy.
• Milan: Ruled by the Visconti and Sforza families, who built a centralized state fostered a strong tax system, which generated substantial revenue.
• Venice: A trading republic run by merchant-aristocrats, a very profitable trade empire made Venice a significant international power, led by a Doge.
• Florence: Initially controlled by wealthy merchants, later by the Medici family. This family wielded considerable political and social influence.

Challenges to Power

• Savonarola: A Dominican preacher challenged the Medici and the corruption of the Church in Florence during an economic downturn. His followers briefly took control before he was executed for heresy, bringing the Medici back.
• Italian Wars: Major European powers (France and Spain) fought for control of Italy for over 30 years and ultimately Italy came under Spanish dominance in 1527. A key event was the sack of Rome by Spanish troops seeking payment.

Niccolò Machiavelli

• Political Thought: Machiavelli wrote The Prince critiquing ethical approaches to political power, emphasizing a pragmatic and realistic view based on human nature.

Renaissance Society

• Nobility (Aristocrats): A small percentage (2-3%) of the population holding important political positions, characterized by the ideal of service to the prince with grace and talent in war and classical learning.
• Peasants: Made up a large portion of the population (85-90%), and serfdom was declining, with more peasants becoming free tenants.
• Townspeople: Divided into different social ranks including; Patricians, Burghers, and Workers (a significant portion of which were unemployed).

Renaissance Family

• Family Structure: The Italian family was centered around the father, who had absolute authority. Important aspects of the marriage contract is the dowry. Marriage was often arranged to strengthen family and business ties. Marriage was often arranged early to strengthen family ties.

Intellectual and Artistic Renaissance

• Humanism: A key intellectual movement focusing on the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature, history, and philosophy. This study was extended to include aspects of the humanities and produced new writings and concepts.
• Petrarch: Considered the "Father of Italian Humanism," he rediscovered and promoted classical texts, stressing the importance of classical Latin. Humanists later entered civic life (as secretaries).
• Vernacular Literature: Literature written in the everyday language of a region (rather than Latin) became more widespread in the 1400s, with examples including Dante's Divine Comedy and Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Renaissance Education

• Liberal Studies: Humanist educators believed education was crucial for individual development, focusing on liberal arts (like history, philosophy, rhetoric, etc.), and producing virtuous and wise individuals, with eloquence and persuasive skills.
• Physical Education: Influenced by Greek ideals, humanist educators also emphasized physical activities.
• Women's Education: While women were largely excluded from humanist schools, some did receive education in areas like history, etiquette, music, and the arts to prepare them for their roles as wives and mothers. More liberal arts studies were not encouraged.

Artistic Renaissance

• Artistic Goals: Imitate nature and showcase human beings as the central theme in Renaissance art.

• Fresco: A technique of painting on wet plaster. Masaccio was a pioneer of this method.

• New Techniques: Development of perspective and the organization of space and light through geometry.

• Sculpture and Architecture: Artists and architects re-embraced Greco-Roman styles.

• High Renaissance (1490-1520): Artistic giants emerged:

• Leonardo da Vinci: Mastered realism, idealized forms, dissected human bodies.

• Raphael: Known for Madonnas and frescoes in the Vatican Palace, emphasizing balance and harmony.

• Michelangelo: A painter, sculptor, and architect who created idealized human forms reflecting divine beauty.

• Northern Artistic Renaissance: Artists in Northern Europe adapted Italian techniques. Examples of new mediums is oil paints and details of northern art were on a smaller scale than the Italian.

• Jan van Eyck: Flemish painter who used oil paints to create rich colors and intricate details, capturing the realism of nature.

• Albrecht Dürer: A German artist who studied Italian perspective and idealization in the human form.