The document provides an overview of the European Renaissance period from approximately 1350-1600 AD. It began as a rebirth of interest in classical Greek and Roman art, literature, and philosophy after centuries of poverty and decline during the Middle Ages. This new humanist worldview valued individualism and embraced rational thought. In Italy, the Renaissance was centered in cities like Florence, Rome, and Venice, where new wealth, contact with Byzantine scholars, and ruins of ancient Rome inspired artistic and intellectual developments. Figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo produced masterworks that reflected the period's emphasis on realism, anatomy, and classical ideals. Machiavelli also wrote The Prince during this time, which influenced modern

1. created by David William Phillips

2. By the 1400s, after centuries of poverty, plague, warfare, and
ignorance during the Middle Ages, European society was beginning to
recover.
A belief that life can be better emerged.

3. Renaissance = French for “rebirth”
c. 1350-1600 AD

4. As the power of the Church declined
towards the end of the Middle Ages,
there was a renewed interest in
Greek and Roman literature and life
– for its own sake rather than for
their relevance to Christianity.

5. This interest, increased prosperity, and pursuits in many fields
of knowledge led to many advances in the arts and science.

6. A new view that admired the
individual ability and worth of
human beings became widely held.
The new ideal person was well-
rounded with interests in many
areas of life.
The ultimate Renaissance man was
Leonardo da Vinci who was a
painter, sculptor, architect,
scientist, inventor, and
mathematician.

7. Humanism
Humanists believed in:
• the pursuit of a full, active, meaningful life on Earth
• that each individual has dignity and worth
• people are rational beings who possess within themselves the
capacity for truth and goodness

8. Humanism was based on the classics - the poetry, philosophy, and
history of ancient Greece and Rome.

9. Liberal studies- history, moral philosophy, rhetoric, grammar, logic,
poetry, mathematics, and astronomy - were thought to allow individuals
to reach their full potential by helping people attain virtue and wisdom.
The goal of humanist education was to create complete citizens.

10. Humanists of the early 1400s took an interest in civic life. They believed
they should serve the state. Many humanists served as secretaries to
popes and princes.

12. The Italian Renaissance
was centered in the
cities of:
1. Florence
2. Milan
3. Naples
4. Rome
5. Venice

13. So why Italy?
1. Italy was an urban society.

14. • Italy had largely avoided the economic crisis of the late Middle Ages
which had affected other parts of Europe.

22. • Italian cities were important
centers of trade. They
were in contact with other
cultures – the Byzantine
Empire and the Islamic
world. They set up trading
centers in the east during
the Crusades, and they
exchanged goods with
merchants in England and
the Netherlands.

23. • Powerful city-states
became political,
economic, and social
centers. A secular, or
worldly, society
developed as growing
wealth created new
opportunities for material
enjoyment.

28. 2. Reminders of the glory of ancient Rome through the ruins of old
buildings.

29. 3. Many Byzantine scholars came to Italy after the fall of
Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

30. Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) is the first modern poet and the first
great humanist of the Renaissance.
He is best known for his love sonnets written for his great love, Laura,
who had perished from the Black Death.

31. As Petrarch traveled extensively
through Western Europe, he
developed a strong belief in the role
of Italy as the cultural heir of the
Roman Empire.
He generated a movement of finding
forgotten Latin manuscripts,
especially in monastic libraries.

32. Florence
In the 1400s, the city of Florence was
a small republic controlled by a few
wealthy merchant families.

33. Florence came to be under the control of the rich and powerful
Medici family who were the personal bankers of the Pope.

34. The Medicis were strong
patrons of the arts.
Florence became the
birthplace of the Renaissance.
Lorenzo “the Magificent” De Medici

41. Who?
Some of the most famous Renaissance artists were: Michelangelo,
Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello.

42. Art
Under humanist influence art
moved from symbolic
representation of subject to lifelike
portrayal.

43. Masaccio’s frescoes are considered the first masterpieces of Renaissance
art. A fresco is a painting done on wet plaster with water-based paints.
Masaccio, Tribute Money

44. Although much of the art was still based on Christian biblical themes,
artists also portrayed scenes from classical mythology.
Botticelli, The Birth of Venus, 1480

45. New techniques allowed
Renaissance artists to
create increasingly
realistic works.
New oil paints, which
could take weeks to dry,
allowed artists to work
on a single painting for
long periods of time.

46. The study of geometry led to the use of
perspective giving work a better sense
of depth.
Masaccio, Trinity, 1425-1428

49. Raphael’s fresco, School of Athens, reveals a world of balance,
harmony, and order—the underlying principles of classical art.

50. Anatomy was studied to portray human
figures more accurately and naturally.
Studies of Human Anatomy – Da Vinci

51. The subtleties of gesture and
expression were used to convey
human emotions.
Lippi, Madonna and Child, 1455

52. In architecture, there was a return to old classical domes
and columns from Greek and Roman days.

53. The Cathedral of Florence,
built 1415-1445
The architect Brunelleschi revived building based on Roman
buildings. The church of San Lorenzo in Florence does not overwhelm
the worshipper, as Gothic cathedrals might, but offers a space to fit
human needs.

54. The Cathedral of Florence,
built 1415-1445

55. Dome of the Cathedral of Florence
designed by Brunelleschi
built 1415-1445

56. Cathedral and Leaning Tower of Pisa

57. Sculpture also returned to classic ideals.
Donatello – Judith Slaying Holofernes

58. Donatello
modeled his
figures on
Greek and
Roman statues.
Donatello – David

59. Among his
most famous
works is the
realistic,
freestanding
figure of Saint
George.
Donatello – St. George

60. The upper classes
were more affected by
the Italian Renaissance
than the lower classes.
Even so, many of the
intellectual and artistic
achievements were
hard for the poor to
ignore.
Churches, wealthy
homes, and public
buildings displayed art
that celebrated the
human body, classical
antiquity, and religious
and secular themes.

61. The noble or aristocrat was
expected to fulfill certain ideals.
Castiglione expressed these in
The Book of the Courtier.
A perfect Renaissance noble was
expected to have talent, strong
character, and grace. They had
to perform military service, gain
a classical education, live a life
enriched with the arts, and
follow a high standard of
conduct.

62. Self-portrait – Da Vinci, 1513?
Leonardo Da Vinci
(1452-1519)
• The last stage of Renaissance
painting is called the High
Renaissance (1490–1520).
• Extraordinarily innovative and
influential

63. The Adoration of
the Magi
Da Vinci, 1481

64. The Last Supper – Da Vinci, 1495-7

65. Mona Lisa
Da Vinci
1503-1506

66. Conceptual drawings for an
armored car and a flying
machine.

67. Michelangelo Buonarroti
• Highly influential painter, sculptor, architect, and poet
• Explored movement and expression of nude male form
• Continually sought challenge – physical, artistic, and
intellectual
(1475-1564)

68. Pieta
Michelangelo
1498-1499

69. David
Michelangelo
1501

70. The Sistine Chapel,
Vatican City, Rome

71. The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome

72. The Creation of Adam – Michelangelo, 1508-1512

73. The Last Judgment –
Michelangelo, 1535-1541

74. The Last Judgment –
Michelangelo, 1535-1541

75. Niccolò Machiavelli
(1469-1527)

76. Machiavelli was an Italian historian,
statesman, and political philosopher.
His influential writings on statecraft
have made his name synonymous with
cunning and duplicity.
He became prominent in the
government of Florence around 1500.
During his government service he met
many Italian rulers and studied their
political tactics.

77. His most famous
work is The Prince.
It describes how a
prince can acquire
and maintain
political power.

78. Previously authors
had stressed that
princes should be
ethical and follow
Christian principles.
Machiavelli argued
the prince’s attitude
toward power should
be based on
understanding that
human nature is
self-centered.

79. Machiavelli believes
a ruler is not bound
by traditional ethical
norms.
A prince should be
concerned only with
power.

80. Lie:Lie: "it's good to be true to your word, but"it's good to be true to your word, but
you should lie whenever it advances youryou should lie whenever it advances your
power or security - not only that, it'spower or security - not only that, it's
necessary."necessary."
Do Wrong:Do Wrong: "Hence it is necessary for a"Hence it is necessary for a
prince wishing to hold his own to know howprince wishing to hold his own to know how
to do wrong, and to make use of it or notto do wrong, and to make use of it or not
according to necessity."according to necessity."
Use Force:Use Force: “… when they believe no“… when they believe no
longer, it may be possible to make themlonger, it may be possible to make them
believe by force. "believe by force. "

82. Machiavelli’s work gave birth to modern political theory in the
Western World.
It has been studied by influential people including:
Bismarck JFK Hitler Stalin Tupac