Humanities Study Guide

Humanities Study Guide

Chapter 5: The Early Renaissance

Overview Here we take a look at one of the biggest ‘booms’ in Western culture, the Renaissance. We’ll begin with a look at the early Renaissance as it began in Italy. Learning Objectives At the end of this chapter, you will be able to: • Identify the prominent painters of the Renaissance period. • Understand the techniques and main subjects of visual art during the Renaissance. • Describe the common philosophical ideas and challenges. • Identify the techniques and influences of sculptors during the Renaissance era. 5.1 The Birth of the Renaissance The Renaissance was a time of immense change and revitalization. Renaissance, by definition, was a time of revival or “rebirth.” People embraced innovation and a belief in human reasoning and creativity. The emphasis was on achievement and there was a significant shift from the darkness and chaos of the Middle Ages to a time of light and rejuvenation. People embraced the beauty and wisdom of the classical periods, emphasizing the importance of Greek and Roman antiquities. This shift in aesthetic allowed for a new way of thinking to emerge, which valued knowledge and personal responsibility. Italy held a central location in the developed world, giving it a great advantage to be an epicenter for trade and travel. Both European and Eastern countries, like the Byzantine Empire, China, India, and Turkey all traded with Italy. It’s worth noting that during the Renaissance, Italy was not one big country as we know it now. Instead it was an assortment of wealthy city-states that were independent and often in competition with one another. Nobles and republics ruled them with their elected leaders. And, although these individuals were technically in charge, the real leaders were the wealthy bankers who held all the money. In fact, the world’s first bank is from Siena, one of the wealthiest city-states in Italy of the time. One of the families that held a lot of power was the Medici family, based in Florence. They built churches, hospitals, supported artists, and engaged in local politics. As a family, they served as patrons, giving financial support to artists and scholars for their efforts to express themselves. It was common for wealthy families to support artists and spend a significant amount of money on the arts

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