Topic 11- The Renaissance

• The Renaissance - When

  • C. 1350 - 1550
  • French term - "rebirth"
  • Revival of interest in and imitation of the arts and literature of ancient Greece and Rome
  • Desire to carry them forward
  • Sometimes a rival to Christian Focus
• Renaissance - Where

  • Italy
  • Support of urban aristocrats/merchants ("patrons")
  • Cultural ties to ancient world
• Renaissance Art - Basics

  •  Revival of “naturalistic” style of ancients 
  • Study of anatomy 
  • First use of oil paints (translucent, slower to dry) 
  • Development of “perspective” ( Francesca )
• Renaissance Humanism - A program of studies

  • Language – Greek and Latin 
  • Literature 
  • History 
  • Ethics
• Renaissance Humanism - 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"
• Renaissance Humanism - Petrarch

  •  “First humanist” 
  • Poet 
  • Sought undiscovered ancient Latin texts 
  • Eloquence to inspire 
  • This life and the next