Video Lesson

Lesson Objectives

After learning this lesson, you will be able to:

• relate the ideals of the Renaissance to today`s world thinking;
• value the major achievements of the period of the Renaissance;
• identify the prominent personalities of the Renaissance period.

Brainstorming Question

• What do you understand by the term ‘renaissance’?

Key terms and concepts

A new interest in learning about the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome developed in the city states of Italy in the 1400s. This led to a period of great intellectual and artistic creativity, known as the Renaissance meaning “rebirth” of classical culture. The Renaissance began in Italy due to its strategic Mediterranean location, which spurred trade and economic growth in cities like Genoa, Pisa, and Venice. These cities became hubs of banking, commerce, and craftsmanship, while Rome, as the seat of the Popes, garnered revenues across Europe. Political decentralization among city-states such as Milan, Florence, and Siena allowed for individual prosperity and cultural independence, unlike unified nations like France.

Scholars were inspired by ancient civilizations’ remnants and the achievements of pre-Christian thinkers and artists. Renaissance thinkers, similar to ancient Greeks, championed human reason and viewed humanity as the center of intellectual pursuit. Humanists emphasized the dignity, worth, and individuality of each person, shaping the intellectual and artistic landscape of the era. This period saw a rise in secularism, marked by a growing interest in worldly matters over concerns about the afterlife. People increasingly relied on observation and empirical experience to understand the world, moving away from sole dependence on traditional Church doctrines.

During the Renaissance, Italian artists broke away from Byzantine influences that dominated earlier Italian art. Pre-Renaissance religious paintings were flat and ornate, often with gold embellishments, lacking depth and naturalism. Figures were depicted floating without realistic shadows, their size reflecting their importance rather than their position within the composition. Giotto (1267-1337) pioneered a new style in the 1300s, introducing realistic scenes with emotive figures set in naturalistic environments. Subsequent generations of artists refined these techniques, striving to create a convincing sense of three-dimensional space on a flat canvas. Masaccio (1401-1428) further pushed these innovations by incorporating realistic shadows and natural effects, marking a significant evolution towards a more humanistic and observational approach in art.

During the High Renaissance, Italian painting reached its zenith with the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), renowned for masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, utilized techniques such as shading and blurred lines to achieve lifelike portrayals. His scientific acumen, evident in anatomical studies and designs for inventions like the parachute and machine gun, showcased his multifaceted genius. Michelangelo (1475-1564), a Florentine artist, crafted realistic sculptures such as David and the Pieta from single blocks of marble. His monumental frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, depicting scenes from the Bible, are hailed as among the greatest artworks ever created.

Renaissance architects, inspired by ancient Roman structures, abandoned medieval pointed arches for simpler classical styles using columns and circular arches. Filippo Brunelleschi’s innovative dome for Florence Cathedral, the largest church of its time, exemplified the Renaissance fascination with worldly achievements driven by reason.

The Renaissance profoundly influenced intellectual life through its emphasis on learning and literature. Renaissance humanists, like Petrarch, often referred to as the “Father of Humanism,” dedicated themselves to studying classical Roman and Greek literature, poetry, and philosophy. They developed new methods of textual analysis that sometimes challenged Church teachings, as seen in the works of Erasmus. Many Renaissance writers departed from religious themes to explore secular subjects, extolling human dignity, sensory pleasures, and advising nobles on courtly behavior. Authors like Boccaccio contributed to this shift by writing in vernacular languages rather than Latin, a trend that spread throughout Europe, influencing writers such as Rabelais in France, William Shakespeare in England, and Cervantes in Spain.

The Renaissance fostered scientific discoveries challenging medieval views. The Church’s geocentric doctrine was contested by Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), whose measurements concluded the Earth orbits the sun. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), an Italian scientist, advanced modern physics through telescopic observations supporting Copernicus’ heliocentric theory. Meanwhile, Johann Gutenberg’s 1450 invention of a movable type printing press revolutionized book production, using metal letters in a frame with oil-based inks. This innovation significantly expanded literacy and facilitated the dissemination of new ideas.

The Renaissance also had profound political impacts, exemplified by Niccolò Machiavelli, a statesman in Florence. His renowned work, “The Prince,” advocated for pragmatic political strategies focused on maintaining and consolidating power. Machiavelli argued that effective rulers prioritized practicality over ethical concerns, popularizing the concept that “the end justifies the means.”

The wealth of Italian city-states, coupled with challenges to Church authority and Machiavelli’s political reasoning, fostered the Renaissance notion of “reason of state.” Leaders justified using any means necessary to strengthen their states, including taxation, military expansion through professional armies, and the development of modern diplomatic practices. These methods were soon adopted by rulers in larger states like France.

Economically, the Renaissance spurred a drive for material improvement and luxury goods accumulation among the wealthy. This led to increased trade, a wider array of products (especially clothing, food, wine, and furnishings), and the growth of urban centers.