The document discusses the Renaissance period from 1300-1600. It began in Italy as an explosion of creativity in art, writing and thought, reviving styles and learning from ancient Greece and Rome. This rebirth was spurred by increased trade during the Crusades, which allowed city-states like Florence to grow and the merchant class to pursue interests beyond trade, expanding learning. Thinkers studied classical texts and focused on secular subjects, increasing understanding of the world. Renowned Renaissance men like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo emerged, making great contributions across multiple disciplines including art, science and architecture.
2. Bell Ringer
• Think back to the end of the Middle Ages:
– The Bubonic Plague (killing 1/3 of
Europe’s population)
– The 100 Years War
– The Great Schism
• Journal Entry: Describe how you would feel
about life in general. Would all this suffering
overtake you? Would you do something
about it?
3. • Those who survived wanted to
celebrate life and the human spirit.
• They began to question the church.
• How can they express this new
spirit?
4. The Renaissance (1300-1600)
• Started in Italy - an explosion of
creativity in art, writing, and thought
• “Rebirth” = a revival of art and
learning from what culture?
– Greece and Rome (aka Classical)
• Led to new values, styles, and art.
5. Why Italy?
• During what time period of the Middle
Ages did trade rapidly increase?
– Crusades
• Large city-states grew in Italy because
of trade
• Why are cities an ideal breeding ground
for an intellectual revolution?
6.
7. The Rise of Merchants and Florence
• > 60% of the population had
died, so more citizens could
become involved in political
life
• Fewer laborers – so merchants
began to pursue other interests
• Florence, a city-state, came
under rule of the powerful
banking Medici Family
– Expanded learning, art, and
architecture in Florence
8.
9. Humanism
• Thinkers studied classical texts (Greece and
Rome) and focused on human potential and
achievements
• Movement to secular society
• Increased understanding of the world
• Have you heard of the “Humanities”
subjects?
– Philosophy, history, and literature
– http://www.wfu.edu/humanities/
11. The ideal “Renaissance Man”
• Volunteer?
• Create art
• Educated
• Charming
• Dance
• Sing
• Play music
• Write poetry
• Skilled rider
• Wrestler
• Swordsman
12. Leonardo da Vinci
(1452-1519)
• Painter, Inventor,
Sculptor, Scientist
– A true “Renaissance
man”
• 3,500 pages of
drawings and writings
survive
• Only 17 of his
paintings survive
• Perhaps the most
talented artist ever?
13. Mona Lisa
• Wife of a wealthy
merchant of
Florence; he
commissioned
da Vinci to paint
it
• So real looking
– What’s behind
that smile?
23. Summarization Activity
• Write down three truths and a lie
about what you learned today.
• Then we will go around the class
and see if we can figure out the lie.
24. Homework
• You need to find out the contributions of the
following people. Why were they important
during the Renaissance? Describeeeeee!
– Machiavelli (pg. 476-477)
– Petrarch (pg. 475-476)
– Dante (pg. 392)
– Erasmus (pg. 482)
– Guttenberg (pg. 484)
