Evolution Italian Renaissance/Intellectual

Hallmark Chapter 13

Euro Society in the Age of the Renaissance 1350 - 1550

New literary and artistic culture first emerged in Italy ◦ spread gradually ◦ at different time ◦ in different ways throughout western and

central Europe

KEY CONCEPTS

The rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman artistic and literary styles, languages, and values was at the heart of the Italian (Ital) Ren. Humanism

◦ revival of classical texts ◦ educational curriculum based on them

The Ren rested on new political and social structures◦ forged in communes -quasi-independent city-states in Italy,

dominated by wealthy merchants who became the patrons of artists and scholars

Individualism and secularism ◦ developed as new society values◦ city-states competed and went to war with each other

their disunity left them vulnerable to unified nation-states like France (Fr) and Spain.

KEY CONCEPTS

The most influential writers◦ Castiglione ◦ Machiavelli

In northern Eur. Christian humanism developed with a special focus on ethics and religion. ◦ Two major northern humanists were

Thomas More Desiderius Erasmus

Ren artists adopted many elements from antiquity◦ Roman arches ◦ motifs and themes in painting. ◦ Perspective and realism allowed them to imitate nature.

Important patrons◦ Communal bodies ◦ wealthy merchants◦ the church

KEY CONCEPTS

Thomas More◦ Chancellor of the Tutor king Henry VIII◦ Utopia – a revolutionary text

An ideal egalitarian socialistic community Everyone works & receives a classical education Avoids war Distains gold & silver

Greed & private property ruins society

Desiderius Erasmus◦ Friend of More’s◦ 1st international scholar◦ Known for his knowledge of Greek◦ In Praise of Folly – satirized worldly wisdom

Stressed education as the key to reform Advocate of inner Christianity

◦ New edition of the Greek New Testament Argued for the translation of scripture into vernacular languages

Christian Humanism

First published in 1516, Thomas More's Utopia is one of the most important works of European humanism. Through the voice of the mysterious traveller Raphael Hythloday, More describes a pagan, communist city-state governed by reason. Addressing such issues as religious pluralism, women's rights, state-sponsored education, colonialism, and justified warfare, Utopia seems remarkably contemporary nearly five centuries after it was written, and it remains a foundational text in philosophy and political theory.

Utopia

The invention of movable type and the printing press in the mid 15thC

◦ quick and relatively inexpensive dissemination of new ideas

◦ fostered literacy ◦ made the Ren an international movement

KEY CONCEPTS

Johann Gutenberg (& several other Ger. craftsmen)

◦ Invented movable type that could be used time after time Adopted principles of wood stamp and Chinese block

printing Met the growing demand for books ever growing literate

population◦ Paper technology developed – replaced expensive

vellum and parchment◦ Technology spread fast – 110 cities w/n 3 decades◦ 1st printed books were religious

Followed by romances, pornography, manual to scholarly, medical & legal texts

Gap between literate and illiterate narrowed as the 1st read to the other

The Printed Word

Keep in mind the cultural movement of the Renaissance and the new values it spawned intersected with changes in political, social and religious ideas in the next centuries and the way it changed as it moved from country to country.

Many FRQs (Free Response Questions)on the AP exam have asked students to answer questions using their knowledge of the Ren as a starting point – for example, its influence on later developments or comparison of it with other artistic movements.

AP Tip

Northern Italy◦ Emerging econ powerhouses

Foreign trade & advance shipbuilding Venice, Milan & Genoa

◦ Birth of the Ren Florence

Wealthy city-state Bankers

For the papacy Extensive networks throughout Eur Invested profits Florentine manufacturing

Wool Silk Selling high quality merchandise

Setting for the Renaissance – Economic and Political Developments

Commune◦ An association of free men who over time won

independence from nobles managed their cities Built city walls Levied taxes Regulated trade/business

Oligarchies (power rests with a small

number of people)

◦ Nobles & merchants families Interwoven by marriage Wrote constitutions Called communes republics

Organization of city-states

Map of Lucignano. Note the defensive arrangement of the housing and the patchwork of small fields.

Popolo◦ Ordinary people◦ Excluded from citizenship & disenfranchised

Even after successful revolts Condottieri – military leaders (control revolts)

Signor – man responsible for running the gov. Republican Constitution & Signori

◦ Both had small number of men with power◦ Both has luxurious courts – the centers of cultural

life Became the models for later monarchs outside of

Italy

Organization of city-states

The 5 strong states◦ Florence - republic◦ Venice - republic◦ Milan - republic◦ The Papal States – ruled by the Pope◦ Naples – Kingdom: The House of Aragon

Competitive◦ Sought to dominate smaller states◦ Diplomacy created

Permanent resident ambassadors Concept of balance of power (to prevent control of any

one state)

Balance of Power among Italian City-States

City-state – a city that governs itself and controls the surrounding countryside in order to guarantee the food supply to the city.

Ital. city-states took advantage of the long-standing conflict between the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy to assert their independence.

The men who created the republics were aware that they were doing something unusual and articulated new ideas about government.

AP Tip

Humanism◦ Studia humanitates – liberal studies

Refers to the study of Latin and eventually Greek classics

Broader – emphasis on the abilities and achievements of humans

During the medieval period Latin classics were studied, largely religious in orientation Humanists revived classical Latin v medieval church Latin

Art of rhetoric Elegant written/oral communication Emulate the lively dialogues of the ancient Platonic Academy

Petrarch – 14thC poet led the way

Intellectual Change

On the Dignity of Man – Pico della Mirandola◦ Man’s inherent & unlimited potential for greatness

Reflected Greek thought – particularly Plato In 1484 Pico became a member of Florence's Platonic

Academy. studied and tried to reconcile the teachings of Judaism,

Christianity, and Islam. In 1486, he published a collection of 900 philosophical

treatises in which his conclusions often differed from those of the

Roman Catholic Church. "Oration on the Dignity of Man," describes his belief,

contrary to church dogma, that people have free will and are able to make decisions affecting their destinies.

Not surprisingly, the Church declared Pico a heretic; he was only saved from demise by the intervention of

Lorenzo de Medici.

Intellectual Change

Individualism (individual ambition) hallmark of humanism◦ Italy – ambitious men became wealthy, powerful

Renaissance Men – uomo universale◦ multitalented & highly creative

Leon Battista Alberti – architect & humanist Leonardo da Vinci Benvenuto Cellini

Goldsmith/sculptor Self proclaimed genius and beautiful

Autobiography

Intellectual Change

Ren individualism is easily seen in the genre of autobiography and portraits (useful point in an essay)

◦ Portraits – put a face on Ren leaders, something that was not handed down from the medieval period Medicis Raphael

AP Tip

The Madonna of the Pinks ('La Madonna dei Garofani') 1506-7, Raphael

Self portrait by Raphael (1483 - 1520

The Girl with the Pearl Earring, originally called Girl Wearing a Turban – thought to be Vermeer’s eldest daughter.

New educational curricula & values were the heart of the Ren◦ Validity of the secular world

Prepare students for success Training in “highest gifts” & firm moral foundation

◦ Not for private benefit alone City-states needed people trained to speak & write

well Argue persuasively Paul Vergerio

Opened schools teaching Latin & Greek grammar Historical, ethical, philosophical texts

◦ Advanced education for middle/upper classes

Education

Women◦ Excluded

No schools for girls created◦ Humanists

Rhetoric is the proper study for men Morals & religion for women On the Family – Leon Battista Alberti

Women should be strictly limited to household responsibilities

◦ Some upper class women did acquire a humanist education & wrote humanist texts. ? Was there a Ren for women ?

Education

Portrait of a lady, tempera painting on panel by Sandro Botticelli, about 1470

• Christine de Pizan is seen as the first female to really display feminist ideals with her book, “The Book of the City of Ladies”. • de Pizan wrote of different females and their

contributions to society. • also showed women alternate ways to use their

abilities in order to counteract the high degree of misogyny that existed (Christine de Pizan: An Illuminated Voice).

• Humanists also began to believe that women who were aristocratic deserved to have at least a minimal education.

• very limited educational rights • not really welcome to participate in

intellectual activities such as debate and lecture.

• The main purpose of women during the Renaissance • marriage • child-bearing

• The Renaissance represented the beginning of a slow change in thought

The Courtier – Baldassare Castiglione◦ Most influential educational text (1528)

Ideal - aristocratic men & women Gentlemen

should have a broad academic background Physically skilled Be able to recite Latin poetry Compose a sonnet Wrestle Solve a mathematical problem Dance

Ladies Develop artistic talents Be modest Be beautiful

◦ Contrast with medieval period Ren – all spheres of human endeavor – universal competence Med – religiosity - conformity

Education

Niccolo Machiavelli ◦ Excellent scholar of history◦ Intimately involved in the politics of Florence

Diplomat Local official

◦ The Prince – 1513 Written for signori (princes) How to achieve and hold power

Amoral & ruthless manipulation of people People = selfish & inconstant

Rulers should be clever as a fox & fierce as a lion Considered the 1st work of modern political science

Sought to analyze what people did rather than what they ought to do Identified politics as a distinct discipline with its own laws

Political Thought

The Prince◦ Embodies the Ren value of secularism

Held this world, rather than the next, in highest regard Values changed

◦ Basic tenets of Christianity/religion remained strong◦ Secularism adopted by new wealthy elite who patronized

the arts and sought more pleasurable lives

Secular Spirit

Lorenzo Valla◦ Father of modern historical criticism

Used his knowledge of Latin to unmask an 8thC papal forgery known as the Donation of Constantine Justified the authority of the popes

◦ On Pleasure – Exalted sensual pleasures

Boccaccio ◦ Decameron

Portrayed the rascality, wit, and sensuality of ordinary people The Popes

◦ Appreciated worldly pleasure Decorated the Vatican with works of art Spent huge sums on commissioning the best artists of the

day Michelangelo

Built the dome of St. Peter’s Painted the ceiling and altar wall of the Sistine Chapel

Secular Spirit

Northern Renaissance – 15thC◦ Ideas transferred north by students studying in

Italy Northern humanists sought to reconcile classical and

Christian virtues Stressed the value of reason and human intellect

Christian Humanism

Albrecht Durer Praying Hands, (c.

1508)