CHAPTER 15.2 IDEAS AND ART OF THE RENAISSANCE

DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANISM

• Humanism: intellectual movement focused on study of the humanities (grammar, rhetoric, poetry, philosophy, history) • Based on the study of classics of Greece and Rome • Francesco Petrarch is father of Renaissance Humanism; revived classical Roman Latin • Humanists focused on civic duty; using humanities to better the state ITALIAN RENAISSANCE HUMANISM

Vernacular Literature • Vernacular: everyday speech of a region • Dante Alighieri writes Divine Comedy in the vernacular of Florence; later becomes Italian language •“The Latin could only have explained them to scholars; for the rest would have not understood it. Therefore, as among those who desire to understand them there are many more illiterate than learned, [it follows that the Latin would not have fulfilled this behest as well as the vulgar tongue, which is understood both by the learned and the unlearned]."

RENAISSANCE EDUCATION

• Education became more secular (less focused on religion) • Humanist schools believe liberal studies enabled individuals to reach their full potential • Goal to create well-rounded citizens instead of scholars RENAISSANCE EDUCATION

Gutenberg Improves the Printing Process •1440 CE: Johannes Gutenberg of Germany develops printing press •allows for quick, cheap book production • Gutenberg Bible (1455): first major book printed • Revolutionary invention that encouraged scholarly research and public’s desire to gain knowledge

ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ART Renaissance Realism • Painting style copied from classical (Greek and Roman) art; often religious subjects • Painters mastered use of perspective (depth) •Way to show three dimensions on a canvas

Architecture • Architect Filippo Brunelleschi built churches fit for human needs; open and airy with domes and rounded columns; non-intimidating

CATHEDRAL OF FLORENCE- MAJOR LANDMARK OF THE RENAISSANCE