RENAISSANCE by Silia S

1. RENAISSANCE

2. Introduction
The Renaissance (French for “Rebirth”) is a period
in European history that marked the transition from
the Medieval period to Modernity. It spanned the
15th and 16th centuries, and proceeded the crisis of
the Late Middle Ages.
It is generally associated with great social change
and characterized by an attempt to revive trends of
Classical Antiquity, and surpass its achievements.

3. Origins
It is proposed that the ideas the Renaissance
consists of originated in 13th and 14th century
Florence.
It is speculated that the unique political structures
and social climate of Italy in the Late Medieval Ages
allowed for the emergence of such rare cultural
efflorescence.
Some others theorize that the fact Italy was so
badly struck by the Black Death caused its residents
to contemplate life in lieu of spirituality, therefore
laying the foundations for such social change.

4. Spread
Throughout the 15th century, the Renaissance
spread from its birthplace of Florence to the rest of
Italy at a rapid pace. Soon thereafter, the rest of
Europe caught on. The invention of the printing
press by Johannes Gutenberg allowed for the
transmission of the ideas that emerged in that time
period.
European nations, including England, France,
Germany, Russia, Hungary, Poland, and Spain
partook in the ever-expanding Renaissance trend.

5. Characteristics
The Renaissance is characterized by an active
attempt to not only revive, but also surpass the
trends and achievements of Classical Antiquity.
Major developments in the arts and sciences were
noted during the Renaissance period. Said
developments are of utmost importance even in
today’s day and age, and acted as stepping stones
for more recent inventions and developments.

6. Humanism
The Renaissance’s version of Humanism acted as its
intellectual basis. In many ways, it wasn’t a
philosophy, but rather a way of learning, that
shaped the intellectual landscape even through the
early modern period.
It was derived from the concept of Roman
“humanitas” and significantly influenced by the
rediscovery of Ancient Greek philosophy.
This new manner of thinking soon manifested itself
in art, architecture, politics, science and literature.

7. Art
One of the distinguishing features of Renaissance
art was its development of highly realistic linear
perspective. Painters studied light and shadow, and
in the famous case of Leonardo Da Vinci, human
anatomy.
However, this trend of realism was not limited to
painting, but was rather prevalent across multiple
art forms.
When it comes to architecture, artists were heavily
influenced by Ancient Greek works, studying the
remains of buildings from that time period.

8. Music
Music was also influenced from this changing
society. A common, unifying musical language
emerged, hence facilitating the distribution of
music. The development of printing also aided in
said distribution of music on a wider scale.
Demand for music as entertainment and as an
activity increased through the emergence of a
bourgeois class.

9. Science
In the early Renaissance, science and art were
intermingled, with polymath artists creating
observational sketches of anatomy and nature.
That said, several world-changing discoveries
and inventions were made with regard to
science, including but not limited to the
invention of the printing press by Johannes
Gutenberg and the discovery of the New World
by Christopher Columbus.

10. Religion
The ideals of Humanism were developed against
a Christian backdrop. The Renaissance had a
profound effect on contemporary theology,
more specifically in the way people perceived
the relationship between man and God.
The Renaissance at times caused religious
turmoil. An example of this is the political
intrigue surrounding papacy.

11. Sources
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance
• https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance