The Renaissance began in Italy in the late Middle Ages and spread throughout Europe by the 16th century. It was a period of cultural, artistic, political, and economic "rebirth" following the Middle Ages. In Italy, the Renaissance was led by wealthy merchant families in city-states like Florence, Milan, and Venice. Artists and scholars looked to ancient Greek and Roman culture for inspiration and focused on human potential and achievements, rather than religion. This led to developments in fields like art, literature, science, and philosophy that emphasized realism, secular themes, and a human-centered worldview.

1. ITALY: BIRTHPLACE OF
THE RENAISSANCE
A rebirth of learning that produces many great works of
art and literature

2. THE
RENAISSANCE
A “rebirth” of creativity in
art, writing, and
philosophy

3. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Why Italy?
How did the Renaissance change
people’s VALUES?
How did art and literature
change during this time?

4. But first… a little review of the previous 1000 years

5. 1300-1600
Florence
Milan
Venice
Rome
City-States

6. Cities = “URBAN”
Country = “RURAL”
big population
economic trade
breeds new ideas
slow pace
isolated
low education

7. a wealthy
“merchant class”
develops
***
Importance of the
individual
Achievement in
business, politics, etc.
“individual merit”
In the Cities…

8. Medici family
wealthy bankers who
control much of
Florence

9. ARTISTS LOOK TO GREECE AND
ROME FOR INSPIRATION

16. Emperor Honorius “Rome has perished…”

18. “The Forum”

20. CaesarJulius

27. US Supreme Court Building

28. Lincoln Memorial

29. State Capitol
Sacramento, CA

36. The Pantheon

45. Humanism
Intellectual movement
focused on human
potential and
achievements
Humanists study
literature, philosophy,
classical texts,
and history

46. “Secular”
Not having to do with religion

47. “The Renaissance Man”
One who excels in
many fields
***
charming & witty
classics
art
politics
combat
dance
sing
The Courtier (1528)
Castiglione

48. “The Renaissance Women”
Isabella d’Este
she is educated…
she inspires art…

52. V
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S
H
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P
O
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Perspective Painting

55. School of Athens by Raphael

56. The Last Supper by
Leonardo da Vinci

57. Leonardo Da Vinci

63. Garden of Earthly Delights (1500)

71. Raphael Sanzio
REALISM

73. Sofonisba Anguissola
First female
artist to gain
international
fame

74. Books become more accessible
Texts are written in
the vernacular or
ordinary language of
the people

75. Machiavelli
The Prince
Guide to how rulers
can gain and keep
power

77. The High Renaissance