The Renaissance

What was the Renaissance?

A period after the Middle Ages.

The start of the “modern world”

New interest in old stuff, like Greece & Rome

Changes in thought about art, religion, literature, education

Where did the Renaissance Start?

Began in Italy

Later spread north to Germany and England

What was the difference between the Northern and Italian Renaissance…?

The Italian Renaissance

They were interested in human achievement (instead of religious or spiritual achievement)

The figures in their artwork looked like Greek or Roman gods, i.e. perfect

The Northern Renaissance

They were interested in the early Christian period.

The figures in their artwork were more realistic.

Both Northern & Italian Renaissance

Interested in Greek & Roman culture (“the classics”)

Use of perspective in paintings

Believed in humanism

Used critical method of study

What’s Humanism? Idea started in the Renaissance that

people have value, worth.

MA: Only God can do good

RA: Humans can do good

Liberal arts education (still here today)

Medieval Art vs. Renaissance Art

•No perspective

•No proportion

•Amateur

Middle Ages

Many religious themes.

Shows how central religion was.

Renaissance

Everyday scenes.

More realistic.

Leonardo da VinciThe Last Supper1495-1498

Mona Lisa1503-1505

The Vitruvian Man

Leonardo da Vinci

The Creation of Adam, 1511Michelangelo

David1501-1504

Pieta1498-1499

Michelangelo