1. Notebook Entry: Renaissance 2. What does Renaissance mean? EQ: How does the European Renaissance fit into our model of cultural change? new ideas, trade, technology, cultural diffusion, violence, urbanization What does it mean to have a rebirth? By the end of class our objectives are to: -develop an understanding of what the term European Renaissance refers to -identify values of the Renaissance -identify the characteristics of a Renaissance Man Tonight s Homework: Read & Outline p. 417-422 Friday is the end of the Q3 Interim Marking Period Art holds the answers There are a gluttony of primary sources from the Renaissance We have to ask: what can we learn from art when looking at Renaissance pieces The artists express themselves through both the subject and style of their art 4 5 2 1 3 Keep in mind What does art tell us about the values and beliefs of the society that produced it? What does art show about how people of that society view themselves? How does art reflect a society s standards of beauty? Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance Renaissance rebirth of classical culture in Europe (1300-1600) People wanted to enjoy life Hundred Years War Black Death Questioned the Church Medieval society Educated reject values and look for change 1
Why did it happen in Italy? France and England busy fighting Urban Centers A wealthy merchant class Classical heritage of Greece and Rome Urban Centers: Cities grew overseas trade Exchanged new ideas Intellectual revolution Bubonic plague wiped out much of the population Economic changes Fewer laborers Higher wages Fewer business opportunities Wealthy merchants pursue new interests Merchants: Merchants dominated politics Wealthiest, most powerful class Did not inherit social rank Business success depended on their skill Individual achievement Important theme of the Renaissance 2
Medici Family Motto Money to get power, and power to guard the money. The Medici: Family that controlled Florence Fortune in banking and trade Cosimo de Medici was the wealthiest European of his time Controlled government Did not seek political office Influenced politicians by giving them loans Virtual dictator for 30 years Lorenzo de Medici Cosimo s grandson Known as Lorenzo the Magnificent Ruled as a dictator but kept up the appearance of an elected government Did not support a republican government Supported the arts Giant banks with branches in many cities are nothing new. The Medici bank had branch offices not only in Italy but also in the major cities of Europe. A rival family grew so jealous of the Medici that they plotted to kill Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano. As the Medici attended Mass, assassins murdered Giuliano at the alter. Drawing his sword, Lorenzo escaped to a small room and held off his attackers until help arrived. Then he had the killers brutally and publicly executed. 3
Lorenzo was a generous patron of the arts who collected many rare manuscripts. Eventually the Medici family made their library available to the public. Classical Heritage: Art of the Middle Ages was looked down on Returned to the learning of Greeks and Romans Inspiration from the ruins of Rome Studied ancient Latin manuscripts Preserved by monasteries Individualism Emphasis on individual achievement Humanism Focus on human potential Secularism Worldly instead of spiritual Scientific Naturalism Close observation and realistic portrayal of the natural world 4
Values of the Renaissance Gender Roles of the Renaissance Patrons of the Arts Financial support for artists Renaissance Man Universal man skilled in many areas Gender Roles of the Renaissance Renaissance Woman Inspire art but rarely create it Self-control: Let the man we are seeking be very bold, stern, and always among the first, where the enemy are to be seen; and in every other place, gentle, modest, reserved, above all things avoiding ostentation [showiness] and that impudent [bold] selfpraise by which men ever excite hatred and disgust in all who hear them. Source: Baldassare Castliglione, The Courtier Definitive account of Renaissance court life The courtier is described as having a cool mind, a good voice and proper bearing and gestures. He has a warrior spirit, is athletic, and has a good knowledge of the classics, humanities, and knows how to draw and paint. However, with all these skills he does everything with certain nonchalance or "sprezzatura". The Courtier On your own: Name two people whom you regard as a Renaissance (wo)man. Explain your choices. Think About - idea of the universal man - Castiglione s description (The Courtier) 5