The Renaissance Coming Out Of the Dark • The word Renaissance means “rebirth” • Began in the 14th Century and lasted until the 17th Century. – Bridge between the Middle Ages (Dark Ages) and the Modern Period • Much of what was learned by the Greeks and Romans in Science, Math, Art, and Government was lost during the Dark Ages. The Beginning in Italy • Italy was divided into city-states – City-State – Areas of land that were controlled by a large city that had its own government. • One of the biggest City-States was Florence – In an area known as Tuscany – Ran as a republic • What is a republic again?? – Florence becomes a rich city • The wealthy hired artisans and craftspeople – This created competition among artists and thinkers • Ruled by the wealthy Medici family The Medici Family • Powerful leaders of Florence, Italy – Wealthy bankers – Taxed both wealthy and poor • Used those funds to build public works such as roads and sewers • Avid supporters of the humanities – Donated a lot of money to develop the arts in Florence • Helped the Humanist movement grow in strength and popularity Humanism • The Rise of Humanism – All people should be educated in the seven liberal arts. • Grammar, logic (thinking), rhetoric (the study of principles and rules), arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy. • Looked for realism and human emotion in art. • Focused on the human being as a unique individual, with his or her own way of thinking – It is OK for people to pursue comfort, riches, and beauty. • Humanist teachers replaced clergy – Schools were built to teach wealthy children • Focused on the Greek and Roman Classical texts – Encouraged students to write in their own languages • Literary works became available to more than those who could read Greek and Latin • This spread the thoughts and ideas of Classical Greek and Roman works throughout Europe. The “Re-Rise” of Rome • The Medici Family began losing power in Florence around the turn of the 1500’s • In Rome, the power was held by the Pope and other leaders of the Catholic Church • The Roman Renaissance Popes began acting more like Kings – Trying to restore the former glory of the Roman Empire – Levied heavy taxes to build churches, palaces, and other buildings. – Hired artists and sculptors to create art to fill the new buildings – Also obtained many Greek, Roman, and Contemporary works that attracted many scholars from around the world. • Brought many of those from Florence • A Shift in Wealth and Power – Instead of Rome losing wealth and power in the late 1500’s Venice increased its wealth and power drawing many of the scholars, artists, and inventors away from Rome. The Northern Renaissance • Other Europeans began visiting Italy – They liked the way of life, the culture, art, literary works, and customs • France invades Italy – In 1494 AD, King Charles VIII (8th) from France sent an army to invade the Kingdom of Naples in Italy. • Takes Naples with little to no pressure • An alliance between Spain, the Pope, the Holy Roman emperor, Venice, and Milan will eventually drive King Charles out of Naples. – When France is retreating they take a number of artists and scholars back to France • Namely, Leonardo da Vinci • These artists were hired to do the same things as those in Italy were hired to do. – Soon, many European countries and kingdoms were hiring humanists to create works of art. Renaissance Art • Divided into two distinct periods – Early Renaissance • Tried to duplicate classical artists by focusing on symmetry and creating the perfect form. • Included artists such as Giotto, Masaccio, and Donatello – High Renaissance • Focused on spatial perspective and realism. – Realism – using many techniques and styles to produce life-like paintings and sculptures. • Included artists such as Michelangelo, Rafael, and Leonardo da Vinci. • Began focusing on other topics instead of just religion – Greek and Roman Mythology, historical subjects, and individual portraits – Looking at the details of everyday life Michelangelo • Statue of David – Asked to finish the work of another sculptor from 40 years earlier who did not get to finish the work – A symbol of Florentine Freedom – One of the most famous works of art from the Renaissance. • Was commissioned by Pope Julius II to build the Pope’s Tomb. – Was constantly interrupted by the Pope for other works. – Worked on the Tomb for 40 years and never completed it to his satisfaction. • The Sistine Chapel – Commissioned by the Pope at the same time as the Tomb. – Was “out of his comfort zone” – Took nearly FOUR YEARS to complete • 1508-1512 “Painting” Like Mike 1. Tape circle to the bottom of your desk. 2. You can either sit and color above your head or lay on your back and color. 3. MUST USE AT LEAST FIVE DIFFERENT COLORS (Do not use black or white!) 1. Shapes next to each other must be different colors. 4. When you are finished, fold the tape to the back of the circle and make sure your name is on the back. 5. Cut around the outside of the circular pattern 6. Turn In Raphael • Italian artist and architect – Travelled from city to city in Italy painting many different scenes. • Disliked by Michelangelo – Who also disliked the old codger Leonardo as well… • In Rome – While “Mikey” was painting the Sistine Chapel, Raphael was commissioned to paint the Pope’s Library. – Known as the Vatican Stanze • Four rooms with all walls and ceilings painted. • Died at the age of 37 from an “acute illness” Donatello • Italian painter and sculptor from Florence • Commissioned by Cosimo de’Medici to sculpt a bronze statue of David. • Sculpted a Bronze crucifix that is world famous • Sculpted an equestrian scene for Gattamelata Leonardo da Vinci • Artist, Scientist, and Inventor • Some consider him to be the most talented and intelligent men of all time – The term “Renaissance Man” was coined by da Vinci’s many talents and describes someone today who resembles that. • Excelled in painting, drawing, and sculpting during his apprenticeship. – Some of his most famous works, The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, are paintings. • Drawings – Usually drawings were kept in separate books by subject – Vitruvian Man was one of his most famous drawings • The perfectly proportioned man – Flying Machine – Many were made for his knowledge of science and inventions • Science and Invention – Interested in the Human Body and Anatomy • Studied the skeleton, tendons, muscles, heart, etc. – Had ideas for many “crazy” inventions • Hang Gliders, helicopters, war machines, musical instruments, pumps, and more! • Pioneer of ROBOTS?? • Da Vinci’s Tank? • Modern Day “Renaissance Man” – Think about the qualities of a “Renaissance Man” – Think about someone (male or female; famous or not) that shows those qualities. – On a blank sheet of notebook paper, write at least 2 paragraphs explaining how this person is a “Renaissance Person.” The English Rebirth – Tudor England The Northern Renaissance • The War of Roses – A familial battle between the House of York and the House of Lancaster • Two ruling families in England during the Early 1450’s • One of the last places to be reached by the Renaissance. – Did not begin until after the War of Roses when the Tudor family took over. • An Italian invitation – King Henry VII invited Italian humanists to teach his people and join his court. – They were much more focused on works of literature than on arts. The Tudors • Took over when Henry Tudor won a battle with King Richard III in 1485. – He claimed himself King Henry VII • New Dynasty – Henry married Elizabeth of York • Connected the two feuding families of the House of York (Elizabeth) and the House of Lancaster (Henry) • This officially ended the War of Roses – The Tudor Dynasty is symbolized by the Tudor Rose • A combination of the Lancaster Red Rose and the York White Rose – Henry and Elizabeth will have only four children survive infancy • Arthur (Prince of Wales), Henry (Duke of Richmond), Margaret, and Mary • New Alliances – Arthur, Prince of Wales, will marry Catherine of Aragon • Daughter of King Ferdinand II and Isabella I – Arthur will die four months after the wedding leaving Henry as the heir apparent – Margaret will marry King James IV of Scotland – Mary will marry King Louis XII of France • The Rise of King Henry VIII – Became king after the deaths of his older brother, Arthur, in 1502, and father, Henry VII, in 1509. – Will marry his older brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, later that year. • This was highly contended by the Church The Six Wives of King Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon • Had a daughter, Mary • Could not produce a son, Henry wanted a divorce – Was not granted by the Church • Henry and the English Parliament enacted laws that broke England away from the Roman Catholic Church and anointed the Monarchy as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England…(more on that later…) • Marriage was annulled in 1533 Anne Boleyn • Married in 1533 – Produced a daughter, Elizabeth, named in honor of Henry’s mother. – Miscarried a son, after hearing news of Henry’s injury in a jousting tournament. • The King claims the marriage was that of witchcraft and Anne was convicted of High Treason and sentenced to death. – She was beheaded in 1536. Jane Seymour • Married King Henry VIII only 10 days after the execution of Anne Boleyn. • Gave birth to Henry’s only surviving son, Edward, in 1537 – However, Queen Jane died from infection after the birth Anne of Cleves • Suggested as a wife to Henry by a close aide, Henry sent a painter to depict her. • Without actually seeing Anne, Henry decides to marry her in 1539. • When Anne arrives in England, Henry finds her unattractive and has the marriage annulled.