Topic 11- The Renaissance

• The Renaissance

  • French term "rebirth"
  • c. 1350 - 1550
  • Revival of interest in and imitation of the arts and literature of ancient Greece and Rome
  • Rival to Christian Focus
• First, Italy

  • Support of urban aristocrats/merchants ("patrons")
  • Support of church (esp. Pope)
  • Cultural ties to the ancient world
  • Byzantine Greeks fleeting Ottomans (after 1453)
• Renaissance Art - Basics

  • Revival of the "naturalistic" style of ancients
  • Study of anatomy
  • First use of all points (translucent, slower to dry)
  • Development of "perspective"
• Themes - Pagan

  • Gods/Goddesses, myths
  • Virtues ( temperance, prudence, justice )
• Themes - Christians

  • Biblical figures or stories
  • Saints
  • Theological virtues
  • Sacra Conversazione, Lotto 1505 ( painting with the Virgin Mary and Child, with many other saints and religious figures )
• Themes - Charity (love)

  • Caritas ( mother gives her children her own blood to feed him )
  • Caritas ( after the Renaissance)
  • Depicts it as less physical, more of a depiction of protection
• Renaissance Humanism

  • A program of studies
  • Language - Greek and Latin
  • Literature
  • History
  • Ethics
• Tastes and Distastes

  • Love of Ancient Greco-Roman Culture as Best - "Classical"
  • Rediscovery of Ancient texts
  • Distaste for "middle" centuries between ancients and the renaissance - the "Middle Ages"
• Petrarch (1304 - 1374)

  • "First Humanist"
  • Poet
  • Sought undiscovered ancient Latin texts
  • Eloquence to inspire
  • This life and the next
• Petrarch's Secret

  Petrarch says that human beings are missing the point of spirituality and even though they are aware, do not do anything about it. Some human beings do not know they are unhealthy, without spirituality.

  Solution: We as human beings have to take action to be well, and follow through with solving the sickness. Go to practice your faith and take the steps to ask God to reinstate your faith.