The Italian Renaissance- Why Italy?• The word “Renaissance” 1st used in 1th

century to describe the revival of interest in art/poetry etc… of Greece and Rome. But it came to mean the broader consciousness of the age

• Why Italy? – Rome had been there- examples everywhere.– When Constantinople fell Byzantines came to

Italy- which brought more knowledge– Long distance trade already bringing in $$

What is a Renaissance?Began in Italy in early 1300s (until about

1500)Elsewhere from about 1450-1600(ish)A focus on the secular, rather than the

spiritual world (typical of Mid. Ages)The word coined by Jacob Burkhardt

describing the time period as a “rebirth” from the “darkness” of the middle ages

Economic Changes• Began with Crusades-

Venice and Genoa made $$ with sea trade to/from Constantinople.

• Florence not on coast- but concentrated on banking and wool industry, made $$ too. The “florin” became the standard currency of Europe

• Italy NOT unified• Signori (despots) or

Oligarchies (generally merchant aristocracies) controlled most of the city states

• Commenda- contract between merchant and adventurers to travel long distance- merchants put up $$, got 1/3 profit

Who had one?The upper classes- they were the people with

time and resources to experiment. No more than 25% of population participating

Ordinary people were not out painting and sculpting, but the were impacted by new viewpoints and attitudes.

Social Structure• Social mobility much more evident than it had

been during the Middle Ages. Changed to reflect manufacturing and banking. Rural nobility then married into this new $$. Wealth dictated marriage (dowry). Patriarchy- male dominated society.

• Popolo Grasso- “Fat people”, wealthy merchants and nobles. Farmland owned by wealthy, most farmers tenants.

• Mediocri- middle or small merchants• Popolo Minuto- “little people” laborers

Political Organization• City states rather than

a nation. (more like Greece than Rome, will end up hurting them in the long run)

• 2 main categories: Republics (communes) where associations of free men made decisions. Venice/Florence

• Principalities had hereditary signori. Milan/Naples

• Balance of power pattern emerged where weaker states would ally with others to prevent domination.

• Origins of modern diplomacy- cities sent ambassadors, held summits etc….

• Condottieri: mercenary generals with private armies

Venice• Built from the Crusades-

had the ideal placement for trade in the eastern Mediterranean/Black Seas- they even went along Atlantic coast.

• Had a representative gov’t (Republic) with a constitution to balance political power.

• Doge: chief executive elected for life by senate (only about 2500 citizens could vote)

• Needed to be cohesive b/c of threat from Ottoman Empire

• Known as “La Serenissima” the most Serene. Longest lasting independent city state (well into 1800s)

• Greatest maritime power until 1500s

• Had an “empire” of trade outposts (like ancient Athens)

Florence• Also Republic, with

frequent political conflict as factions struggled for power. (example 1378 “Ciompi” named for “wooden shoes” protestors)

• 1434-1494 Medici (banking) family took power- ran city

• Cosmo/Lorenzo used patronage of the arts to make Florence magnificent.

• Medici driven from power 1512-1527. 1530 made Florence a Duchy

• Cosmo most powerful politician

• Lorenzo most famous patron of arts- the “example” of a Renaissance prince.

• Ousted by a priest Savonarola- who gave sermons on wickedness, sin and secularity

Milan• Principality. Grew rich

from arms and textile manufacturing.

• Ruled until 1447 by Visconti family (died out became republic)

• 1450 Sforza family took over until 1494 when France invaded

• Military state- not big into arts (exception- Leonardo’s giant horse for Duke of Milan)

• Major enemy of Florence and Venice- fought frequently until Peace of Lodi 1454 created a 40 year truce (response to concerns when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople)

Papal States• Popes control the

center of Italy. Trying to restore prestige of pope damaged in great schism. Great patrons of arts- rebuilt St. Peter’s

• Pope Julius II “warrior pope” took papacy to war to gain political power. Popes ruled: levied taxes, had armies/navies, diplomatic relations with other countries

• Borgia Family dominated papacy from 1455-1507.

• Caesar Borgia (son of Pope Alexander II) model for Machiavelli’s “Prince”

• Sack for Rome in 1527 by Charles V (HRE) ends the Italian Renaissance

Naples• Principality in Southern

Italy- largest area. • Disputed by king of

Aragon, dominated by feudal lords (rather than merchants) challenging King’s power- leading to conflict. Invaded by Ottomans, then France (1266-1435) and finally Spain (after 1435)

• Only part of Italy with actual “king”- strongest title- weakest state

New Intellectual Developments: Humanism• Comes from classical

interest in the potential of the individual. Focus on the secular, use vernacular.

• Result of increased education- learning rhetoric, poetry, history, philosophy (classical curriculum)

• Against scholasticism, moving towards science, learn and decide for yourself. Question, and make new discoveries.

• People are naturally good, have the power to understand the world.

• Believe in potential- Virtu- excellence in all pursuits. The key to a good life is reason and nature

• Reject the Aristotelian view in favor of Cicero, Livy, Virgil and Plato.

• Civic Humanism: education should prepare people for greater good.

• Still VERY Christian

Petrarch: Father of Humanism• Lawyer and Cleric, he

devoted his life to writing. (his work and Dante’s standardize Florentine vernacular into “Italian”)

• Admired Cicero and Augustine (who believed you had to DO something with you life)

• Wrote Poetry (sonnets) and an imaginary dialogue with St. Augustine where he discussed what made a moral life.

• Rejected Renaissance church leaders and argued for a return to the early ideals of the church.

• Considered the first “modern” writer, his ideas are no longer subordinate to religion. Also first to use critical analysis of ancient texts.

Spreading HumanismHumanism became very influential in

Florence (enhanced by additional knowledge of Greek writings after fall of Constantinople 1453)

Also enhanced by invention of the printing press (Gutenberg 1454) which made it practical for things to be widely published. By 1500 there were 10 million books in Europe- greater access to info of all types

Boccaccio1313-1375Created a compendium of Greek and Roman

mythologyThe Decameron: a collection of 100 stories

which were a social commentary (about human behavior and all possible flaws) on Italy in the 1300s.

Leonardo Bruni1370-1444First person to call it “humanism”.A civic humanist, his goal was to make

Florence better- wrote first modern history of a place, with primary sources and interviews of citizens

Leonardo Valla1407-1457Expert on Latin language. Exposed errors in

the language of the Vulgate (the official bible of the RC church)

Unintentially gave critics of the church ammo- he himself was a devote Catholic.

Humanism and EducationMedieval universities were for clergy to train

in law, theology etc… but professional training for many careers began in the Renaissance.

For 1st time schools were separated by age and ability. Studied Greek/Latin, history, literature, science “the humanities”. Children encouraged to study moral lessons as well

OthersMarsilio Ficino Pico della Miranda1433-1499Founded Platonic

academy at request of Cosmo di Medici.

Translated Plato into Latin- giving most of Europe access to Plato for the 1st time.

1463-1494“Oration on the Dignity

of Man”- about the nature of humans.

We were created by God for greatness, but have free will, and we rise or fall based on our own choices

Baldasare Castiglione• 1478-1529• “The Book of the Courtier”- was about the

qualities you need to be a gentleman, to live a gracious and active life.

• Described what came to be known as a “renaissance man”(a contrast to the medieval view that you should concentrate on one thing)- someone well educated in classics, who can play music, dance, is well mannered and physically strong.

Machiavelli: “The Prince”• 1513• Most influential book of Renaissance. • Assumption that people are selfish, and leader must

use power to protect us from our base nature. Said leaders must manipulate people to meet goals- had to be strong

• Admired what worked more than what was “right”.• Sometimes seen a cynical, but assumes the goal is to

build the best (therefore most powerful) state possible.

• 1st modern treatise of political science- tells you how to do it.

Achievements in Art and Architecture• Italy is more Urban

than rural- helped the arts- also had experience with products that became works of art.

• Patrons: wealthy supporters of the arts (medici) Church common patron.

• Art 1st flowered in Florence not only because of patrons, but a tradition of art in the city (Giotto)

• Focus on art shows the age is changing. (Castles/Cathedrals of M.A. showed their focus) Personal conspicuous consumption admired.

• Art itself is an expression of human creativity- and Renaissance Italy was the 2nd great flowering of European art (Greece 1st) Birth of idea of artist as “genius”

• Rome surpassed Florence as center of art in 1500s (church)

Artisan vs. ArtistArtisans had always existed: skillfully created

useful thingsArtists: a new (reborn) idea- made things that

were beautiful for the sake of beauty.Their magnificent accomplishments made

them the celebrities of the era

PatronageCame from great families who kept their

wealth not in banks (which is funny b/c the Medici are bankers) but on the walls, in the courtyard etc… consumerism

Manifested their corporate power- the wealth of Florence was visible around the city. (David) Glorify the city and God (Duomo, gates of paradise)

Sculpture1st time since

classical that sculpture has been a big focus.

The human body is beautiful- 1st nudes since classical

Made busts of their leaders/heroes, and figures from mythology

Designed to be seen in the round (medieval were relief) Copied Greek idea of perfection of the body

Glorified the individual showed strength and integrity. Contraposto: weight on one leg

Painting• Less influenced by

classical (few had survived) Medieval had been very serious and symbolic

• Better techniques invented Oil paint, developed perspective

• Asserts human power- people are unique with distinct postures and faces- put their world in their paintings

• Chiaroscoro- use of light and dark colors to create depth

• Sfumato (created by da vinci) softening of sharp lines for a lightly blurred effect (mona lisa)

Architecture• United creativity and

science to build in new ways. Loved classical inspiration (columns and arches)

• Built giant domes (duomo) to be seen for miles.

• Leon Battista Alberti- wrote a theory of architecture based on “perfect” forms (square and circle) Beauty comes from observing the rules of proportion to create harmony.

• Simplicity, symmetry, balance. Contrasted with the highly ornamental gothic style of the middle ages

Examples of Artists: Giotto1266-1366The last medieval/first renaissance painter.

Pioneered Chiaroscoro.

Filippo BrunelleschiSculptor and

architect- won contest to build the new cathedral of Florence (Duomo) built 1420-34.

When built was the largest dome ever created- looks even bigger from inside b/c of perspective

Lorenzo Ghiberti1378-1455Won contest to

design doors of cathedral “gates of paradise”

Used a combination of classical and religious subjects and sensibilities

Leonardo Da Vinci• 1452-1519• A true “renaissance man” as well as artist (engineer, scientist, philosopher)• Constantly moved from one idea, one

technique to another. Known for mastery of facial expressions and realistic backgrounds

• Experiments sometimes went wrong- Last Supper 1498 was an new fresco technique- epic fail

Donatello1386-1466Sculptor. His David (1408) was the first full

nude since the classical age. Mary Magdellan expresses extreme emotion

Massacio1401-1428Painter- first painter to do nudes. Expulsion

of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

Raphael1483-1520Short but important artistic career. Famous

for “Madonnas” (showing love between mother and child)

Most famous single painting is “School of Athens” with contemporaries as great thinkers of the past. Perfect example of all primary renaissance techniques

Boticelli1444-1510Painter, known for detail and delicacy. Did

much less religious work, used lots of allegory and mythology.

“Birth of Venus” most famous painting

BramanteArchitect during high renaissance. Hired by Pope Julius II to build a cathedral on

the spot where St. Peter had been crucified. Primary architect of St. Peter’s (Michelangelo changed some plans after he died)

Michelangelo• 1475-1564• Like Leonardo he was good at many things

(which is what made these 2 the “superstars”) est. known for sculpture and painting.

• His 18 ft David is a symbol of the Renaissance. • Worked for church on St. Peter’s- the Sistine

Chapel is his most famous contribution (combo of classical and religious themes)

• Pieta- showing emotion of the moment. Designed the Dome of St. Peter’s- making sure it was bigger than the one in Florence

Titan1485-1576Greatest painter of Venetian school- which

was more influenced by the Byzantines then the classical Greeks.

Typified by vivid colors and movement (florence was paler and calmer)

Titan himself loved red hair

The Northern Renaissance- why different?Renaissance spread more slowly outside of

Italy not as many large cities to be centers of ideas.Feudalism hampered some new ideasNot as much classical remains around to

“inspire”Renaissance in north centered on kings and

their courts (not typical in Italy) which changed it’s focus

Northern Humanism• In Low countries,

France, German States, and England.

• Focused on writings of early Christians rather than classical age- although sought to to combine best elements of classical/christianity- stressing reason and ethics

• Studied ancient texts – and applied to editing the bible. Not as secular, focus on what religion should be.

• Wanted to improve society and reform the church.

• Emphasized education and the power of human intellect to bring change and moral improvement.

• Began to criticize scholaticism and dogma of church- leading towards reformation

Desidrius Erasmus 1466-1536• Monk and professor.• Colloquies - dialogues for

his students on how to speak and live well

• Adages- ancient and contemporary proverbs and sayings (he was famous for his sayings)

• United classical ideals of harmony and civic virtue with christian love and piety.

• Edited and changed vulgate (made church made)

• In Praise of folly- most widely read book, said church should worry more about praying and less about art. Wanted to reform church, not abandon it (that’s why he wrote in Latin)

• First humanist to earn a living through his writing

Jasques leFevre d’Etables1454-1536French. Produced psalms that challenged the

Vulgate (from ancient writings) Condemned for Heresy

Thomas More• 1478-1536- a Civic Humanist• Chancellor to Henry VIII in Eng. Wanted to use

classical and Christian ideas to make a better world.

• Utopia (“nowhere”- has come to mean a perfect world) everything should be held in common. Poverty creates the problems of society

• Reform of social institutions that create the human world is the key to a better society

• Executed by Henry VIII b/c he would not sign the Act of Supremacy

Francis Rabelais1494-1553Championed secular world, especially in

educationHad confidence in human nature (reflecting

ideas of Renaissance)Gargantua and Pantagruel: a folk epic,

comedic, satirized French society

Northern ArtDid more painting than sculptureOil paintings, engravings and woodcuts.

Known for detail, bright/dark of colors, long lean figures, suffering

Fugger family(banking) important patrons of Northern art

Renaissance music developed in the North and spread south (opposite of visual arts)

Jan Van Eyck1339-1441Dutch (Flemish) painted with oil on wood or

canvas.Arnolfini Wedding- combo of earthiness and

pietyUsed a lot or religious symbolism and crazy

detail

Albrect Durer1471-1528German who studied in Italy- blended

northern and southern styles (more full figured, but lots of symbolism, good at Italian arts of perspective, proportion etc…)

Best known for copper engravings and woodcuts- did and illustrated bible as well as numerous self portraits

Peter Brueghal the Elder1520-1569 DutchNot very influenced by Italy- painted the lives

of ordinary people (which was unusual)Peasant Dance, Winter Hunt

Roger Van Der WydenFocus on the suffering of Jesus for humanity-

to have people recognize his sacrifice and inspire piety

Heronymus Bosch1450-1516 DutchMaster of symbolism and fantasy- surrealisticOften focus on death and torments of hell-

reflects confusion of later renaissance.Death and the Miser, Garden of Earthy

Delights

Hans Holbein1497-1543Most famous northern portrait artist. Painted

writers and kings revealing the personalities that lay underneath (Erasmus, Henry VIII)

Renaissance and Nation Building, the New Monarchs• Parts of Europe began

to centralize in late 15th, early 16th century.

• France, England, and Spain called the “New Monarchies” which emphasized royal majesty & authority, suppressed opposition (esp nobles) and built nationalism

• These will become the “strong countries for next phase of history.

• Not absolutist (1600s) or even real “nations” (1700s)- but working on it

• Reduced powers of nobles through direct taxation, confiscation of land, gunpowder, and standing armies.

• Reduced power of clergy, creating professional bureaucracies

France• Louis XI (the spider)

1461-1483. Did much to centralize king’s power (king had only directly controlled land around Paris- ended 100 yrs war under shadow of Burgundians) Louis began to seize burgundian land, and inherited Anjou (wife) doubled size of king’s territory. 1st standing army

• Took power from nobles by borrowing $$ from bankers (thereby also creating national debt)

• Francis I 1515-1547 A great renaissance king Concordat of Bologna gave him the right to appoint bishops in France

• Taille: head tax (direct tax)

Spain• Mid 1400s Spain divided into several kingdoms (Castile,

Aragon, Navarre, Portugal, Grenada) All Christian except Grenada- reconquista almost done. Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon united their kingdoms in 1474 and created Spain (Navarre joined, Grenada they conquer- only Portugal stays out)

• Reduced power of nobility- created council of Hidalgos, lesser nobles who would owe them.

• Most important topic to them was Christianization of Spanish territory. Got church to bring in Inquisition to hunt down heretics, esp. amongst Jews and Muslims. Expelled all non-christians 1502

• Conversos- people who converted (by force) but that wasn’t always enough. About 150,000 leave Spain. 30-60,000 executed

England• 100 years war led almost

directly into the War of the Roses 1455-1485, a civil war between the houses of York and Lancaster.

• Ends with a new Dynasty- the Tudors in charge- Henry Tudor becomes Henry VII- main goal was to gain power for the king

• Court of Star Chamber, used law to confiscate noble estates and fortunes

• War of Roses- power goes back and forth between York and Lancaster (who were cousins) Ends with cadet branch of Lancaster marrying York Heiress

• Henry VII forbid nobles to have private troops- all military royal

• Star chamber tried people in secret w/o jury or ability to question witnesses against you.

• Parliament kept power to tax- a check on the king

Decentralized States: Italy and the Holy Roman EmpireGermany Italy• No national identity: 300

autonomous states with emperor “elected” by 7 most powerful (who pulled a lot of strings) Hapsburgs emperors.

• Riechstag- assembly of all the princes

• Charles V- inherited HRE and Spain. Sacked Rome during Hapsburg Valois wars. Had to deal with reformation

Treaty of Lodi created balance of power between Milan, Florence, Naples vs. Venice and Papal States

Caught in crossfire of ambitions between Hapsburgs and Valois during 1500s as each tried to expand influence

Social Change during the RenaissanceReal breaks with Medieval past. Greater education, which improves

everything. Humanism is positive change.Study of government and what it ought to be

rather than just assuming everything is god’s will etc…

Noble Women• Gained better access to ed- and yet….• Upper class women had even less power than

they did during the middle ages (when men were often gone etc…) became more and more ornamental.

• Sexual double standard (rape a less serious crime than petty theft)

• Christine di Pisan• Isabella D’Este examples of women who broke• Artemesia Gentilesch mold and participated in

Ren

PesantsDid not change much from middle ages.Nuclear family tradition (could not afford

extended) marriage still based more on property/dowry than love

Dramatic population growth during this period

TechnologyPrinting Press: brought radical change in

ability to communicate on wide level. Made propaganda possible- convince people that you are right. Join causes, feel a common identity. Stimulate literacy of laypeople

Clocks: learned to measure time- show change needed for business hours etc… more we understand world more power we feel