Renaissance

• What does the term Renaissance describe in terms of time period?

  The Renaissance describes the period from the 14th to the 16th centuries in Europe.
• Where did the Renaissance develop and how did it spread?

  The Renaissance developed in Italy during the late Middle Ages and spread to the rest of Europe.
• What were the factors that led to the development of the Renaissance in Italy?

  • Rediscovery of Classical writing, philosophy, art, and architecture
  • Fall of Constantinople in 1453, leading Greek scholars to flee to Italy
  • Trade with the East through Marco Polo's voyages
  • Increased wealth in Northern Italy
  • Dissolution of the feudal system, leading to national states
  • Power shift from aristocracy to rich financiers
• What term did Italian humanists use to describe the new trend of the Renaissance?

  They called it "rinascimento," meaning rebirth.
• What was the general curiosity during the Renaissance regarding humans and the world?


  There was a general curiosity regarding the human experience and the natural world.
• Who were the De Medici and what was their role in the Renaissance?

  The De Medici were bankers who were patrons of art during the Renaissance.
• How did the patronage of art change during the Renaissance compared to the Middle Ages?

  Patronage of art expanded beyond the church and nobility to include merchants and bankers.
• What was the significance of chiaroscuro in Renaissance art?

  Chiaroscuro was significant for creating shapes through the balance of light and dark.
• Who was Leonardo da Vinci's master during his apprenticeship?

  Leonardo da Vinci was an apprentice of Verrocchio.
• What became important in art later during the Renaissance, especially in Venice?

  Color became important later in Renaissance art, especially in Venice.
• What are the main characteristics of Renaissance art?

  • Naturalism and observation of the world
  • Use of perspective for depth
  • Centralization of composition with important figures in the middle
  • Preference for triangular, pyramidal, and tondo compositions
  • Integration of classical elements
  • Remarkable technical ability for naturalism
• Who is considered the founding father of the Renaissance and the naturalistic tradition?

  Giotto di Bondone is considered the founding father of the Renaissance.
• What is Giotto's masterwork and what does it depict?

  Giotto's masterwork is the decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel, depicting the life of the Virgin Mary and Christ.
• How did Giotto create space in his paintings?

  Giotto created space by overlapping figures.
• What is foreshortening in art?


  Foreshortening is the shortening of depth dimension in a painting.
• What does perspective mean in the context of Renaissance art?

  Perspective refers to creating the feeling of three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional artwork.
• What does the term chiaroscuro literally mean?

  Chiaroscuro literally means 'light-dark' in Italian.
• Which artists are famed for their use of chiaroscuro?

  Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio are famed for their use of chiaroscuro.
• What are the key concepts to understand and apply regarding the Renaissance?

  • Proto-Renaissance
  • Humanism
  • Beauty and science
  • Characteristics of the Renaissance
  • Perspective
  • Foreshortening
  • Analyzing artworks for Renaissance characteristics
• What does the term Proto-Renaissance refer to?

  Proto-Renaissance refers to the first or earliest form of the Renaissance.
• What does humanism emphasize during the Renaissance?

  Humanism emphasizes man's spiritual and intellectual abilities.
• How did the view of the human body change during the Renaissance?

  The human body was viewed as a temple of God, created in His image, rather than just evil and seductive.
• What did humanists celebrate during the Renaissance?

  Humanists celebrated the mind, beauty, power, and enormous potential of human beings.
• How did Masaccio differ from Giotto in his artistic approach?

  Masaccio differed by not emphasizing the dramatic and using Brunelleschi's discovery of perspective.
• What is the title of the work by Sandro Botticelli that is best known?

  The Birth of Venus is the best-known work by Sandro Botticelli.
• What is the subject of Botticelli's painting "The Birth of Venus"?

  The subject is a classical mythological allegory featuring Venus, Zephyr, and Chloris.
• How does Botticelli achieve movement in "The Birth of Venus"?

  Botticelli achieves movement through line and the curves of the composition.
• What are the characteristics of Botticelli's work?

  Botticelli's work is characterized by masterful use of line, excellent composition, and brilliant transparency of flesh tones.
• What is the role of the nymph Pomena in "The Birth of Venus"?

  Pomena is the Goddess of fruit trees waiting with a cloak to cover Venus.
• What does Humanism emphasize?

  It emphasizes what it is to be a human being and man's spiritual and intellectual abilities.
• How does Humanism view man?

  Man is considered worthy and can improve in every respect: physically, morally, spiritually, and aesthetically.
• What is foreshortening in art?


  Foreshortening is the shortening of depth dimension.
• What does perspective in art create?

  Perspective creates the feeling of three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional artwork.
• What does the term chiaroscuro mean?

  Chiaroscuro literally means 'light-dark' and refers to clear tonal contrasts in paintings.
• Which artists are known for their use of chiaroscuro?

  Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio are famed for their use of chiaroscuro.
• What does Proto Renaissance refer to?

  Proto Renaissance refers to the first or earliest form of where the Renaissance began.
• Who is considered the founding father of the Renaissance?

  Giotto is viewed as the founding father of the Renaissance.
• What is a characteristic of Medieval Art?

  Medieval Art was symbolic and followed rigid rules, with important figures portrayed as large.
• What was the main focus of Renaissance art?

  The main focus of Renaissance art was naturalism, which laid a new foundation for Western art.
• What are the four art styles in the medieval period?

  The four art styles are Early Christian Art, Byzantine Art, Islamic Art, and Romanesque Art and Gothic Art.