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The Renaissance in Europe 03 Introduction T he term ‘renaissance’ can simply be defined as a revival of something. The reawakening that developed in the ancient Greco–Roman civiliza...

The Renaissance in Europe 03 Introduction T he term ‘renaissance’ can simply be defined as a revival of something. The reawakening that developed in the ancient Greco–Roman civilization in a certain era of the European history is called the revival or ‘the renaissance’. Wherever the term ‘renaissance’ is used in this chapter, it refers to the said revival. Similarly, the term ‘renaissance’ is also used to refer to the dramatic transformation that took place in the fields of art, religion and science in Europe during the period from 14th to 16th centuries. This chapter focuses on the contributory factors that brought about the renaissance; the development that took place in the fields of literature; the progress achieved in art, sculpture and architecture; and the reawakening that occurred in fields of science, medicine, and philosophy. 51  Towards the end of the medieval period, the 3.1 The Background of the Europeans began to develop a great interest Renaissance in the ancient Greco-Roman civilization. Accordingly they began to study the writings Historians use the term ‘the Renaissance’ to belonging to that civilization and also to refer to the revolutionary transformation learn Greek and Latin languages that had that took place in the fields of arts and science been used in the ancient civilization. It was in Europe during the period from 14th to a significant feature that in-depth studies 16th centuries. The Renaissance originated were carried out into the Greco-Roman in Italy and it had a huge impact in shaping civilization and that the cultural trends the history of the modern world. When that had prevailed during that civilization you were in Grade 07, you learnt about the were becoming popular once again in highly developed Greco-Roman civilization Europe. Because of this transformation that of ancient Europe. With the collapse of the underwent in philosophical and practical Roman civilization in the 5th century AD, terms, Greco-Roman civilization seemed to the thriving period that had so far existed have reawakened. This situation was indeed in Europe came to an end. The succeeding a renaissance or revival in the European period of about 1000 years (500-1500 AD) is history. called the medieval era of Europe. This broad transformation that took place in the fields of arts and science from 14th to 16th centuries affected to mould the present history of the world. This transformation started from Italy. Fig: 3.1 A city in Italy 52  Fig: 3.2 A painting which portrays Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press Contributory Factors that brought By this time, there had erupted a dispute about the Renaissance between the Christians in Europe and Muslims outside. As Muslim Turks captured 1. City of Constantinople becoming under the city of Constantinople, the Christian Turkish power traders in Europe could no longer use that city for their trade activities. Consequently, There had been trade relationships between the scholars who lived in Constantinople Asia and Europe since ancient times. City fled the city to their countries carrying with of Constantinople became very significant them the valuable Greek and Roman books as a commercial centre where the goods that were kept in the libraries of the city, and that were brought from Asia to Europe they also took measures to promote in their through traditional trade routes were traded. cities Greek and Latin languages that were Traders from European countries came to required for studying those books. Those Constantinople, bought goods and sold them books were studied extensively in institutes in the European countries. such as University of Bologna in Italy and this resulted in a revitalization of the ancient The trade in Europe suffered a crippling blow Greek and Roman civilizations. consequent to the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by the Muslim Turks. 53  2. Expansion of Trade and Creation of a These universities produced many modern Wealthy Class scholars since various subjects such as classical literature, history and drama were Growth that had occurred in the field of trade taught there. Further, Greek and Roman in Europe since 12th century AD was a major books were used in research activities of factor that contributed to the Renaissance. those universities and study of classical Well-developed commercial cities such as literature was given a prominent place. This Venice, Genoa and Florence in Italy came up resulted in a revival of the science and arts because of the trade that increased between knowledge that had sunk. countries in the East and the West during that period. The rich who lived in those cities had Up to that time, even at universities the not only enough leisure to pay attention to books that were necessary for studies had various fields of art, but also enough wealth to be hand copied. Having to hand copy to sponsor such activities. The creation of manuscripts, and limiting of education only this wealthy class was a causative factor for to a particular social group restricted the the Renaissance to originate in Italy. The expansion of knowledge. In such context, wealthy family named the Medici in the city invention of the printing press by Johannes of Florence was an example for a family who Gutenberg during the Renaissance era gave patronage for arts activities of the city. brought about a revolution in the expansion of knowledge. Making of thousands of copies 3. Intellectual Revival of a book within a short period of time was a great achievement. The invention of this During the period that succeeded the printing press was a key causative factor that collapse of the Roman civilization, there contributed to the Renaissance of Europe. existed an education system that was centred on the Christian Church of Europe and the priests. Only a few subjects such as the scriptures, philosophy and law were taught 3.2 Coming of the Renaissance under that system. However, after 12th century, universities began to be established in Europe. Creation of new scholars Universities that were established in Before the Renaissance period, the languages Europe towards the end of the Medieval that were used in the European countries era. were limited to a particular group of countries Country University or areas. During the Renaissance era there Italy Bologna, Padua was an increase in the use of books written France Paris in Greek and Latin languages resulting in a England Oxford, Cambridge revival of those languages. Further, learning 54 of Greek and Latin languages had also more attention was drawn towards the become a fashion during that period. As a path man had taken so far in world history result, there was a wide expansion not only and also towards the artistic skills of man. in learning of those languages, but also in Consequently, a number of new subjects learning of literature, too, due to which many such as history and arts emerged. In this way, modern scholars were created. The following education was not limited merely to the study table gives the names of some of the writers of religion, it transformed into studying of that belong to the Renaissance period. man and man’s living. Writer Country Dante Italy Arts and Crafts William Shakespeare England Erasmus France The dramatic transformation that took place Coming up of Humanism in the Renaissance era was remarkable. In the preceding period, the artistic creations Before the Renaissance era the concept that that received the patronage of the church ‘god is supreme’ reigned which is called were shaped based on religious philosophy. ‘theism’, but during the Renaissance more The objective of such creations was to inspire and more studies began to be carried into people’s devotion to religion. In contrast, the the affairs of humans. Thereby the concept artistic creations of the Renaissance era that of humanism became popular. As a result, received the Roman and Greek influence Nature of arts and crafts before the Renaissance Arts and crafts of the Renaissance period Having religious features Giving prominence to worldly affairs The theme of artistic creations had been the Jesus Making kings, queens, princes and princesses, Christ, Mother Mary or popular saints. too, the theme of creations. Artists had been organized into ranks and their Works of arts were identified by the name of the creations were identified by the name of the artist. relevant rank. Only the church had given patronage for creating The rich gave their patronage. works of art. The main objective had been to inspire devotion The main objective was to inspire appreciation. to religion. It had not been allowed to do works of art Works of art were done independently displaying independently the skills of the individuals. 55  Fig: 3.3 The Last Supp Fig:Fig: 3.33.3 TheThe Last Last Supp Supper gave prominence to aesthetic feeling. This is using themes such as Jesus Christ or Mother evident from the fact that the paintings or Mary which had a religious significance. images that were done during this period contained nude or half-nude figures. Further, You may have already seen the painting giving to the artists of the Renaissance era named ‘Mona Lisa’ shown here. It was during the patronage of the rich who valued worldly the Renaissance era that artists who created such masterpieces emerged. Let us learn pleasures, too, helped immensely in bringing about a few of such artists and about their about a revival in artistic creations. The creations. following table describes the features of the artistic creations of the preceding period and how they differed from those of the Renaissance era. Painting Painting was a form of art that was subject to a dramatic change during the Renaissance era. City of Florence in Italy was the centre in which a new form of painting was introduced. In this period, paintings were done giving prominence to worldly matters instead of Fig: 3.4 Mona Lisa 5656  Leonardo da Vinci is an Italian. He was an artist, architecture, engineer, poet and musician as well. The paintings titled ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’ are widely regarded as his masterpieces. Fig: 3.5 Leonardo da Vinci Fig: 3.6 Another painting by Leonardo da Vinci 57  Michelangelo was a great painter. He was also a renowned sculptor and architecture. Ceiling paintings of the Sistine Chapel in Rome are widely known as Michelangelo’s masterworks. The painting titled ‘Last Judgment’ is one of his great works. Fig: 3.7 Michelangelo Fig: 3.8 Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings at Sistine Chapel 58  Fig: 3.9 The Pieta Fig: 3.10 The David Statue sculptured by Michelangelo Architecture Sculpture Imitating certain features of ancient Roman architecture was a special feature of the Sculpture is another art that flourished during buildings constructed in the Renaissance the Renaissance era. Creating sculptures out era. Accordingly, the buildings constructed of marble was a special feature of this period. during this period included round arches, Michelangelo was an accomplished sculptor tall pillars and hemispherical domes which of the Renaissance era. His works ‘The Pieta’, were used in the buildings that had been ‘David’ and ‘Moses’ are among the world’s constructed in ancient Rome. St Peter’s greatest sculptures. Donatello was another Basilica in Rome can be described as one of great sculptor of the Renaissance era. The the greatest works that features the elements statue of St. John in the City of Florence of Greek and Roman architecture of the displays Donatello’s extraordinary skill. Renaissance era. Many works created by Michelangelo and the great architect Raphael can be seen here. 59  New scientific inventions of the Renaissance Activity era. Complete the following grid using The remarkable development in thought information about artists of the Renaissance achieved during the Renaissance era was not era. just limited to the field of arts. As European scholars studied in depth subjects such as Title of the Name of the ancient history, literature and philosophy, Field of art creation artist there occurred a great development Painting in judgment in society. Through this Sculpture development people were encouraged to Architecture reason everything rather than following the convention. It contributed to the advancement of the field of science paving the way for a number of new scientific inventions. New theories presented about the universe Copernicus discovered that the Earth is spherical and that the Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun. Accordingly, the belief that had been established earlier which said that the earth is flat was given up. These discoveries of Copernicus paved the way for scientific studies of stars and planets. Because of the invaluable service he rendered to the field of astronomy he is called the ‘father of astronomy’. Fig: 3.11 Nicolaus Copernicus 60  Johannes Kepler further established the theories presented by Copernicus and went on to work on them. The fact that had been established by that time was that the earth and the other planets move around the sun along a circular path. However, Kepler discovered that all the planets in the solar system move around the sun not along a circular path, but Fig: 3.12 Johannes Kepler along an elliptical path. Galileo Galilei, who was a university professor, invented the telescope and observed celestial bodies. Because of this great invention, craters and mountains on the Moon, sunspots and the moons of Jupiter could be observed. Fig: 3.13 Galileo Galilei 61  The Renaissance reform movement that was launched against the Christian Church grew Development in Medicine further under the leadership of protestant leaders such as Martin Luther and John Calvin. William Harvey – He discovered important facts about the blood circulatory system of Martin Luther who was born in Germany the human body. became a professor at the University of Wittenberg. He realized that the teachings Dr Paracelsus – He carried out experiments of the Church contained many things that on the causes of diseases and treatment were contrary to the teachings of the Bible. for diseases. His discoveries contributed During this period he met a priest who was a lot towards the development of modern engaged in selling indulgences in the City pharmacology, too. of Wittenberg in Germany. Father Martin Luther was shocked to see indulgences being Michael Sertex - Michael Sertex discovered sold and pasted on the door of the church facts about how blood is pumped from the in Wittenberg a leaflet containing his views right ventricle into the lungs, purified there about selling of indulgences. and travels back to the heart, and finally circulates through the body. As a result of Martin Luther’s action, he was removed from the Catholic Church. Then he began to further express views against the teachings of the church. After the invention Reforms in Religion of the printing press in the 15th century, the views of Luther began to spread not only in Germany, but in the entire Europe. The Consequent to the scientific advancement reformation movement which contained and new inventions of the Renaissance era the views of such leaders was called the that led to a revolution in thought, people Protestant Reform Movement. began to reason things in every field. Accordingly, people also began to critically look at religious teachings and the unlimited Activity powers enjoyed by the Catholic Church. The groups that rose against the powers of the church are called Protestants. 1. Prepare a booklet containing questions on the Renaissance in Europe. From the latter part of the medieval period, severe criticism was leveled against 2. Collect information about the arts of corruption of certain priests. Among those painting, sculpture and architecture, and who expressed such criticism, John Wycliffe new inventions of the Renaissance era. of England and Erasmus of France were prominent. 62