The Renaissance and Reformation Section 1: The Italian Renaissance Renaissance means rebirth Major city centers Venice: Republic ruled by oligarchy, Byzantine origins Milan: Visconti and Sforza families Florence (Tuscany): Republic ruled by the Medici Papal States: Ruled by the Pope Kingdom of Naples: King of Aragon The Renaissance first developed in Italy in the 14 th century. ( 1350 AD) Long distance trade in the Mediterranean had continued after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Urban life had remained strong in Italy. Memories of the Roman Empire were everywhere to be seen. Italy suffered the least from the collapse because of its position extending into the Mediterranean. Italy was a natural point of contact between Europe and the Byzantine Empire. (Eastern Roman Empire) The Crusades poured much wealth into Italy. Carrying trade provided huge profits to such maritime states as Venice and Pisa. Often at war with each other, the states of Italy shared many elements. Italians mostly spoke dialects of the same language. Italians saw themselves as the natural heirs of the Roman Empire. All were members of the Roman Church Interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture Characteristics of good education Scholastic education gave way to classics: rhetoric, grammar, poetry, history, Latin, Greek Humanists emphasized individual accomplishment Petrarch is often called the Father of HumanismHumanism During his travels, he collected crumbling Latin manuscripts and was a prime mover in the recovery of knowledge from writers of Rome and Greece. Focus on the individual and his dignity Niccolo Machiavelli ( ) -- The Prince The goal of the prince must be power Cynical view of human nature Fear is a better motivator than affection Politics as the art of deception Renaissance artists worked for whoever offered them highest price Buyers of art, (patrons), might be wealthy individuals, city governments, or church Wealthy individuals competed with each other, displaying wealth through purchase of artworks, What was different? Realism Perspective - the way in which objects appear to the eye Classical (pagan) themes Geometrical arrangement of figures Light and shadowing Softening of edges Backgrounds Artist able to live from commissions Broad knowledge about many things in different fields Deep knowledge of skill in one area Able to link areas and create new knowledge The Four Turtles Leonardo Da Vinci ( ) True Renaissance Man Scientist, inventor, engineer and naturalist Dissected Corpses Short attention span Leonardo da Vinci Virgin of the Rocks ca oil on wood 6 ft. 3 in. x 3 ft. 7 in. Michelangelo (1475 1564) Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel Incredible energy and endurance Sistine Chapel Received funding from Pope Leo X The Moses Raphael ( ) Man of great sensitivity and kindness Died at the age of 37 The School of Athens Donatello 1466 His most famous work is the free-standing, sensual, bronze sculpture, David David Saint George Mary Magdalene Donatello David ca bronze 5 ft. 2 1/4 in. high