Renaissance Period Overview

A period of European cultural and artistic rebirth from the 14th to 17th centuries, rediscovering classical knowledge.

A Renaissance emphasis on human potential and achievements, separate from religious dogma.

A period of exploration and global expansion during the Renaissance.

The artistic and cultural center of the Renaissance was Italy.

Significant city associated with artistic and intellectual achievements of the Renaissance.

Art inspired by ancient Greek and Roman styles.

The era preceding the Renaissance, characterized by social and political changes.

A religious movement that challenged and ultimately divided the religious unity of Europe.

A period in European history (14th-17th centuries) that bridged the Middle Ages and modern history, starting in Italy.

Renaissance emphasized education, especially in the humanities, and a renewed interest in classical Greco-Roman learning.

A period of European maritime exploration (15th-17th centuries) driven by a desire for foreign goods and global dominance.

During the Renaissance, dissent against the Catholic Church emerged due to perceived corruption and the desire for religious reform.

A significant religious movement challenging the Catholic Church's authority and doctrine.

Improvements in trade routes (land and sea) facilitated the exchange of goods like spices, gems, and silk from Asia.

Florence's significant wealth, from merchants and bankers, fueled its role as a Renaissance center, leading to the enjoyment of life and art.

Scientific advancements (better ships and navigation) supported the age of exploration.

A collection of 100 tales written by Boccaccio in the 14th century, depicting stories told by a group of young people escaping the Black Death in Florence.

A devastating pandemic that struck Europe in the 14th Century, killing millions. Also known as the bubonic plague.

An Italian author famous for writing the Decameron, a collection of stories set during the Black Death.

The Black Death was spread through the bite of infected fleas that lived on rats. The rats were often found on ships and travelled to different locations, thus spreading the plague.

The symptoms included buboes, which are swollen lymph nodes, and black spots on the skin. These spots are actually hemorrhages.

The Black Death had profound social and economic consequences, such as widespread death, labor shortages, and social unrest.

The story takes place in a secluded villa in the Tuscan town of Fiesole.

The Decameron is structured around a group of ten people, each taking turns as the king or queen of the day, dictating the theme of the stories told.

A powerful Italian family that ruled Florence during the Renaissance. Their influence and patronage played a crucial role in promoting art, culture, and intellectual advancements.

The De Medici, through their rule in Florence, brought stability and peace to the city. This enabled a flourishing of art and culture - the Renaissance.

A philosophical movement emphasizing human potential, education, and individual achievement. It rejected scholasticism and focused on classical literature and art.

Francesco Petrarch, an early humanist, was primarily interested in writing and Latin literature, not law, as his father wished.

Giovanni Boccaccio, another key humanist, was a writer and scholar known for his work 'Decameron,' which explores everyday life and culture.

Boccaccio's 'Decameron' was a collection of 100 tales told by ten characters, offering insights into societal values and everyday life during the Renaissance.

The Renaissance marked a revival of interest in ancient Greek and Roman literature, art, and philosophy. This led to a renewed appreciation for the value of humanism.

Renaissance humanists rejected the medieval philosophical approach of scholasticism, which emphasized logic and dogma. Instead, they emphasized observation, critical analysis, and individual creativity.

Boccaccio's writing style revealed his personal experiences, reflecting his disappointment in love, declining health, and bitterness towards women.

Paintings created for religious rituals within Catholic churches, often commissioned by patrons who supported the church.

Artists during the Renaissance period usually started their training as apprentices and worked their way up to become master artists, receiving commissions from patrons.

A renowned Italian Renaissance artist known for his diverse skills in painting, drawing, sculpting, architecture, and engineering.

Two of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings, illustrating his artistic mastery and the themes prevalent in Renaissance art.

Renaissance art often portrayed religious subjects, serving a devotional purpose and connecting viewers to religious practices of the time.

A famous statue created by Michelangelo, depicting the Biblical figure David before his battle with Goliath. It's made of a single block of white marble and is located in Florence, Italy.

Michelangelo's David statue depicts David before the battle, capturing his focus and readiness, with his slingshot seemingly at rest on his shoulder and a rock in his hand.

Michelangelo's David statue is carved from a single block of white marble, sourced from the Carrara quarries in Tuscany, known for its quality.

An Italian painter and architect from the High Renaissance period, known for his Madonnas, large compositions at the Vatican, and his unique style.

A famous Renaissance painting by Raphael, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. It's noted for its beauty, colors, and the symbolic representation of virtue, innocence, and purity.

Though famous for the Sistine Madonna, Raphael was commissioned for tapestries, not the ceiling, of the Sistine Chapel, unlike Michelangelo who painted the ceiling.

A Biblical story where a young shepherd named David defeats a giant warrior named Goliath, using his slingshot and cunning strategy.

Michelangelo's David is a depiction of the Biblical story of David and Goliath. It represents human courage, skill, and the ability to overcome challenges.