The Renaissance

Learning Targets

What changes in society and it cities stimulated the beginning of the Renaissance?What ideas formed the foundation of the Italian Renaissance?What contributions did artists make to the Renaissance?

Why Should We Care?In comparison to Byzantium, China, India, and the Islamic world, Europe’s political authorities were weaker, its cities were smaller, its economy was less commercialized, and its technology was inferior to more established civilizations.Europeans were seen as “barbarians.”Thoughtful Europeans who encountered other peoples often acknowledged their own comparative backwardness.Therefore, the European case of renewal has received deep scrutiny, not so much because of its special significance at the time, but because of its later role as a globally dominant region.

In what ways did borrowing from abroad shape European civilization after 1000?

Catching UpAccelerating growth in Europe spurred reintegration into the larger Afro-Eurasian network of exchange and communication.European elites sought spices, porcelain, sugar, and various technological, intellectual, and cultural innovations. Europeans would seek further trade on the oceans in the 15th and 16th century.Europeans were also willing to engage with and borrow from more advanced civilizations. Borrowed items included: medical knowledge, mathematics, chess, gunpowder, horse collar, stirrup, poetry, and music.

Catching UpTechnological borrowing was accompanied by adaptation as Europeans sought to adapt their borrowed technologies to the unique conditions of Europe. Innovations occur in agriculture. Innovations such as the three field system and the heavy wheeled plow help to sustain a growing population.Europeans also sought to exploit non-animal sources of energy, such as the windmill, water-driven mill, complex gearing, gunpowder and cannons, as well as perpetual motion machines, the magnetic compass, and the lateen sail.

Pluralism in PoliticsWestern European civilization never regained the unity it had achieved under the Roman empire.Political life consisted of a system of competing kingdoms, that included France, Spain, England, Sweden, etc.Geographic barriers, as well as ethnic and linguistic diversity, added to this atmosphere.Western Europe was comprised of shifting balances of power and war. Military men gained status. This atmosphere of rivalry would later drive the gunpowder revolution.

Pluralism in PoliticsHowever, warfare did not halt European economic growth.Interstate rivalry between the ruling class instead created a willingness to borrow technological developments. Capital, labor, and goods found their way around political barriers.There is enough competition to stimulate development, however the common Christian culture and the use of Latin and French by a literate elite create a level of unity and communication across political barriers. This unity allows endeavors to prosper.

Pluralism in PoliticsThe rulers of Western Europe are weaker than in the East.The Roman Catholic Church maintains a level of independence.Vassals had rights in return for their loyalty, and by the 13th century high-ranking nobles, in the form of a council, had the right to advise rulers and approve taxes.A three way struggle for power exists between kings, warrior aristocrats, and church leaders (all of whom are nobility)

Pluralism in PoliticsThis three way struggle for power enabled urban-based merchants to achieve a level of independence from political authority that is not found in other civilizations. Man cities where local merchants exercised power, won the right to make and enforce their own laws and appoint their own officials.Kings granted charters to allow cities to have their own courts, laws, and government, as long as they paid their dues. Some, like Venice and Genoa, were able to achieve complete independence.

Pluralism in PoliticsThe weaker European monarchs did not limit merchants or control industry to the same extent as could be found in the east. As a result, urban merchants had more leeway. Such leeway would lead the way for the later development of capitalism.Attempts to strengthen royal authority by consulting with major social groups of the “nation” (clergy, landowning nobility, urban merchants, or the three “estates of the realm”), will also lead the way for the development of more advanced representative institutions, such as parliament.

Overview of the Causes of the Renaissance

Demand leads to specialization. Specialization leads to trade.Secular hunger for discovering texts leads to the develop of new libraries. The printing press leads to the mass production of forgotten texts. Writing in the vernacular increases access to forgotten teachings and entertainment.Political changes in the ruling class of Italy leads to “New Men” without political history. They legitimize themselves with forms of art and creativity.Demand for Humanist educated officials. Humanism challenged previous schools of thought, scholasticism, and the church.

Humanism Triggers the Renaissance Video

Notes on Renaissance

Notes: “Renaissance”l Sociall Politicall Religiousl Intellectuall Technologicall Economic

The RenaissanceAn age of “rebirth and classical antiquity”It is described as ending the medieval era, or “Dark Ages,” and a heralding in of the modern age.“Light” is therefore associated with antiquity. The “dark” of the Dark Ages is linked with an ignorance of the classicsIt can also be described as a sustained period of renewed interest and remarkable developments in art, literature, science, and learning.

Renaissance in a Nutshell

Rebirth of Classical Antiquityl The world of the Greeks and Romans

Urbanization of societyl Cities the center of Renaissance Europe

Individualisml The glory of God is reflected through human

potential and achievementl Man becomes more of the center and measure of

all thingsl A well-rounded individual is the ideal

Secularisml Decreased singular importance of religion

Social

Urbanization fueled major social changesGrowth of the merchants/bourgeoisieImportance of Guilds in RenaissancePersecution of Jews

UrbanizationEurope remained predominantly rural, but cities rapidlyl Strong relationship between trade, manufacturing

and urbanzationl Northern Italian cities and Flanders

Growth in Bourgeoisie and Petit Bourgeoisiel Bourgeoisie- Owners of capitalistic enterprises

l Served as patrons of culturel Petit Bourgeoisie- Shopkeepers, artisans,

guildmaster who provided goods and services for local consumption

Guilds

Trade associations that regulated the practice and access to tradesl Served to limit competition and perpetuate

male dominance in trade/businessl Resulted in continued inequalitiesl Discriminated against Jews

Persecution of Jews

Most Jews resided in Europe’s citiesUrban-oriented because of focus on trade and business (money-lending) l Jews often excluded from other

professionsPersecuted Jews in times of crisisExpelled from Spain in 1492 after many years of persecution

Political

End of Papal SupremacyRise of the “New Monarchies” (France, England, Spain)Political Fragmentation in Italy and Holy Roman Empire Varying Power of NobilityAdvent of “Machiavellian” Politics

End of Papal Supremacy

End of papal supremacy epitomized by Pope Bonaface VIII (Pope is superior to every living creature)Pope arrested by King Phillip of FranceEstablishment of “alternative” papal seat in Avignon, FranceMonarchical power over popes increased

Rise of New Monarchies

France- Enmity towards England during Hundred Years War (1337-1453) increased nationalistic feelings England- First Tudor King (Henry VII) established strong monarchy and reduced power of nobles by taking away armiesSpain- Isabela (Castile) and Ferdinand (Aragon) marriage unified Spain

Political Fragmentation

Holy Roman Empire (A Confederation of independent states in present-day Germany)Italy- Lack of centralized political authority with many city-states (Florence, Siena, Venice)l Ensuing competition between France and

Spain for control of Italy

Varying Power of Nobility

England- Nobility secured guarantee of hereditary rights through Magna CartaOther Locations- Weakened by new military technology that reduced impenetrability of fortesses

Advent of Machiavellian Politics

Machiavelli (1469-1527)Focus on how leaders could acquire, maintain, and expand political powerl Contrasted with ruling according to

Christian-based moral principles“Ends justify the means”Morality NOT a part of political activity

Religious

End of Church’s supremacy in “national affairs”Rise of Skepticism (Impact of Black Death)Advent of Christian Humanism and ScholasticismIncreased Corruption of PapacyFusion of Official Christianity and “Nationalism” in Spain

End of Church Supremacy in Nat’l

AffairsMajor challenges to Church supremacy by France (political)Cultural supremacy challenged by Renaissance patrons of the arts (Medici)Scientific advancements directly contradicted Church doctrine

Forces for Change

Rise of Skepticisml Result of the Black Death

l A major questioning of religion and even the existence of God

Worldly, Corrupt Nature of Renaissance Popesl Series of corruption scandalsl Involvement in worldly affairs

l Julius II (1503-1513) led armies personally against Venice

Advent of Christian Humanism and Scholasticism

Christian Humanism (Erasmus- 1466-1536): Believed that Christianity should be a guiding philosophy for the direction of daily life rather than a system of dogmatic beliefsScholasticism- Effort to synthesize faith and reason with Aristotlel Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica)

HumanismThe intellectual and artistic creativity of northern Italy, was more than a “rebirth,” although it was characterized by a renewed interest in the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome.Humanism, or the interest in the capabilities and accomplishments of individuals, grew from Greek culture, but during the Italian Renaissance, it was reflected through portrait painting, autobiography, and philosophies that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church.

IntellectualDevelopment of secular, individualist literature by writers such as Petrarch and Boccacciol Revived interest in classical writing and secular

subjects (such as love and pride) l In opposition to the emphasis on theology and spiritual

topics of the Middle Ages

Popularization of the Intellectual

Printing press led to the popularization of literary worksl 1500- 10 million books printed in 238

towns in W. EuropeLed to greater focus on secular literature

Development of secular, individualist literatureWritten in Italian vernacular to reach broad audiences, rather than Latin of medieval monks and scholarsReligion declined as a central focus of interest in almost all areas of lifeFocus on the individual and individual attitudesOften quite secularl Dante: Divine Comedyl Chaucer: Canterbury Tales

Artistic (Big Three)

Focused on persuading audiences of the reality of the event/person they were painting/sculptingl Da Vinci- Focused on realism

l Mona Lisa and Last Supperl Raphael- Best known for frescoesl Michelangelo- Focused on ideal human

with perfect proportionsl Sistine Chapel and the David

Technological

Advent of Water WheelsMajor changes in military technologyInvention of the movable metal-type printing pressSignificant architectural achievements (Gothic churches)Key maritime invention and improvements

Technological Advancements

Water Wheels>>>>>> Advances in iron-related industriesImproved Crossbow (NOT “humble arrow”)>>>>> Reduced power of knights and manorismFirearm and Gunpowder>>> Could penetrate fortesses. Led to reduced power of manorism

Technological Advancements

Great improvements on Chinese carved wood blocks: movable pieces of type, new ink, printing pressJohann Gutenberg (1394-1468)Led to tremendous proliferation of books in Europel Expansion of unorthodox ideas

Economic

Tremendous economic improvement in Europe during RenaissanceRapid development of trade (Venice, Genoa, Flanders and Hanseatic League)Increased European self-sufficiency

Medieval & Renaissance Art

Art is reflective of the historical setting

Characteristics of Medieval ArtPDifferent MediumsPByzantine IconsCharacteristics of Renaissance ArtPEarly Italian RenaissancePNorthern RenaissancePHigh Renaissance

Characteristics of Medieval ArtLacks depth or perspectiveFigures are stiff and elongatedFacial expressions lack emotionsBackground frequently a solid color with tempra

Bayeaux Tapestry 11th Century-Halley’s Comet

Bayeaux Tapestry1066AD Battle of Hastings

Byzantine Icon9th Century

Characteristics of Renaissance Art

Individualism-Emphasized the uniqueness of each face and figure with emotions.Balance and Proportion-More realistic, tried to make art imitate life.Perspective- The impression of depth and distance.New Materials- Developed oil painting technique, create new colors and textures.

Giotto 1267-1337St Francis Fresco Cycle

First use of Chiarascuro(light and shadow)

Masaccio’s The Tribute Money 1427 First use of

linear perspective.

Donatello’s David 1440First large cast bronze

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus 1480

Neoplatonism, return to mythology

Michelangelo Buonarrati

Pieta 1498-1500

David 1501-1504

Sistine Chapel Ceiling 1512-1518

Four years working on his back

Creation of Adamfrom Sistine Chapel

Temptation and Fall from Paradise from

Sistine Chapel

Raphael’s School of Athens 1510

Master of design and perspective

School of Athens-detail

Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519

Ideal Renaissance Man

Studies from his notebook

First work with Verrocchio

1472

Mona Lisa(La Gioconda)1503

First use of sfumato

Northern Renaissance

Renaissance spirit catching on in the Northern European cities.Renaissance ideas spread through trade and development of Guttenberg’s moveable type.New innovations in artistic style arise.

Jan Van Eyke’s Arnolfini Wedding1430

First use of oil based paints

Rembrandt’s Abraham and Isaac 1634

Dutch artist famous for use of light and shadow.

Pietre Brueghel’s Peasant Wedding

Famous for scenes of everyday life

Brueghel’s The Fall of Icarus 1558

Albrecht Durer’s Four Horsemen 1498

First Artist to sign his work. Woodcut

Hans Holbein’s Portraits 1536-1540

German Born, Most famous portrait painter

Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence , 1420-1436