THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD

THE

RENAISSANCE

PERIOD

What does 'renaissance' mean?

The term 'renaissance' is derived from the French word meaning 'rebirth'.

• 14th and 16th centuries were inspired by a revival of the classical art and intellect of Ancient Greece and Rome.
• Influences and changes of art, architecture, literature, science and philosophy

What was the Renaissance?

• The Renaissance was a time of great social and cultural change in Europe.
• It was a period characterised by innovation, imagination and creativity.
• The Renaissance also represented a break away from the conformist society and culture of medieval Europe.

Where did the Renaissance begin?

The European Renaissance began in Northern Italy in the 14th century.

The Tuscan city of Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Gradually, the movement spread from Italy to other parts of Europe.

Classical Age

What changes did

the Renaissance bring?

Art, literature, architecture, and even theology were all impacted by the spread of Renaissance ideals. Humanism spread as well, although not with the same intensity as it had in northern Italy.

Unlike the artistic styles of the earlier Middle Ages, which placed more importance on symbolism than reality, renaissance art was more life-like and contained perspective.

The outlook and worldview of individuals secularized increasingly during the Renaissance. Greco-Roman traditions and worldviews were revitalized with art and learning. As religion competed with worldly concerns and desires, Christian thinkers continued to stress the importance of heaven: but for many Renaissance thinkers, the draw of worldly desires outweighed spiritual ones. Human capability, ingenuity, and personality became the focus of the individual.

Though the Reformation might appear to revitalize some medieval ideals, it actually helps further usher in the Modern Age. The church is split; Catholic and Protestant. The power of the Pope is effectively dissolved politically speaking; marking the rise of the separate of church and state.

The Middle Ages

The Renaissance began after the plague in the 14th and 15th centuries and was fueled by soldiers returning from the Crusades. There was renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman art.

Architecture

In the Middle Ages, churches were no longer shaped like crosses. They used the circle to represent the perfection of God. Symmetry became important. In homes, some of the features of the period were courtyards, columns as support structures and domed roofs.

Painting

Renaissance painters used more realistic depictions than artists in the Middle Ages.

There were also Famous artists of the time included:

A member of the famous Medici family in Florence, Italy. He became very rich as both a goldsmith and an artist, but died penniless. He painted three frescos in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

Considered to have one of the greatest minds of all times. He was an architect, musician, engineer, scientist, mathematician, botanist and inventor.

He invented the first parachute, helicopter, airplane, tank, repeating rifle, swing bridge, paddleboat and motorcar. He painted the famous “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.”

Michelangelo

Considered by some to be the greatest artist and sculptor who ever lived. He was a great leader of the Italian Renaissance. His most famous work and his greatest glory was painting the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome.

Science also played a part in the creation of music. Musicians learned how the pitch changes by lengthening or shortening the size of the string on stringed instruments. Once again, symmetry became a part of the music they created.

Renaissance literature started with a renewed interest in the classical Greek and Roman learning. The invention of the printing press and the weakening of the Catholic Church’s influence on the daily lives of the people, among other things, enabled Renaissance writers to express their beliefs in new ways.

There was an explosion of writing, some of which is deemed the greatest of all time, by these authors:

Modern Age

At the Start of the modern age everything began to transform such as politics, culture, religion and economy. This shapes the development of Western Civilization as it transitions to the “modern” era. It all starts with the rebirth of classicism and ancient cultural traditions.

The focus during the medieval period was to be centered on spirituality and a Christian life, but people during the modern era are shifting their values to a more worldly life.

Individual achievements, especially art began to regain a certain level of importance.

Artists were once considered workers doing God’s work but at the peak of the renaissance artists became renowned as art reached the highest of importance.

Everyone’s world views shifted to valuing art and learning more than anything else.

Famous artists like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael took immense pride in their talents and art work.

Humanistic pursuits were more focused on and thus the potential of an individual was more stressed.

Although the Renaissance culture was born in Italy in began to spread to the rest of Europe and it spreaded quicker due to technological advances and the migration of ideals through trade.

Although the nature of the Renaissance influence varied differently from France, England, and Germany, art, literature, architecture, and theology were all impacted by the spread of Renaissance ideals.

Renaissance Influences Today

Movies

Influences of the Renaissance

The End!

Thank YOU!

Rafael, Ben, Janeth, Allan

Leonardo da Vinci

Lorenzo Ghiberti

Benozzo Gozzoli

Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi

Fashion

Renaissance Art and Literature

Music

Leonardo Da Vinci

Botticelli

Literature

Martin Luther‘s book 95 Theses had a great effect on people. He changed Christianity forever by telling about the abuses of the church by the clergy. He is sometimes known as the “father of Protestantism.”

John Calvin criticized the Catholic Church. He believed that a person has an individual relationship to God. Calvinist churches believe in the simple life and a strong work ethic.

Nicolaus Copernicus wrote a book that proved that the sun did not move around the earth every 24 hours. His book revealed that the earth was not the center of the universe.

Leonardo da Vinci’s masterful life is shown in his famed Notebooks, which contains his drawings of “things that make the world matter.” This is how da Vinci regarded his drawings.

St. Ignatius Loyola wrote a series of five books that defended the church and scolded Luther for his crusade against it.

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote that there is no place for religion or morality in politics in his book The Prince. It is believed that “power politics” had its roots in this book.

William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers who ever lived. He wrote at least 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Little is known about his life; however, we do know that he was an actor and performed at the Globe Theater.

Modern Age Painting

Italy is the birthplace of the Renaissance and things begin to slowly change it becomes a classical rebirth. People sought to reach a new era of cultural greatness.

Influences of the Renaissance