BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE
RENAISSANCE
Means “rebirth” and
refers to the revival of art
and learning following
the Middle Ages.
It began in Italy and
was based on Greco-
Roman Culture.
CITY-STATES
Trade created by the
crusades resulted in the
growth of large and
powerful city-states in
Italy.
The Bubonic Plague hit
these cities hard and they
were forced to seek new
ways of economic success.
MERCHANTS AND THE MEDICIA wealthy merchant
class developed in the
Italian city-states as a
result of the increased
trade.
The Medici were a
wealthy merchant
family in Florence who
came to dominate all
parts of Florence’s
society.
GRECO-ROMAN INFLUENCE
Scholars looked down on
Medieval literature and
instead learned from the
Ancient Greeks and Romans.
They studied ancient texts
found in monasteries and
examined the ruins of the
Romans and Greeks.
HUMANISM
It is an intellectual movement
that focused on human potential
and achievements.
Instead of trying to apply
ancient texts to Christian
thought, humanists accept
Ancient material for what it is.
Promoted subjects that are
today called the Humanities.
SECULAR
During the Renaissance,
people began to view the
world in a present rather
than a spiritual way.
In other words they
interpreted the world more
simply and literally.
PATRONS
Church leaders and wealthy
merchants who spent massive
amounts of money on art,
literature, and architecture in
order to beautify city-states.
It became a way of the wealthy
demonstrating their importance.
THE RENAISSANCE MAN AND WOMAN
Men an women who excelled
in many fields were considered
Renaissance Men and Women.
The idea was that an
individual should not limit
themselves and should strive to
attain skills in all parts of life.
PERSPECTIVE
Renaissance began to
change the way the
depicted the world.
Perspective was the idea
and practice of creating
paintings that were multi-
dimensional and realistic.
LEONARDO DA VINCI
A painter, sculptor,
inventor, and scientist
who was interested in
how things worked.
Some of his famous
paintings include the
Mona Lisa and The Last
Supper.
RAPHAEL AND MICHELANGELO
Both are famous artists,
sculptors and thinkers well
known for their drive to
depict the world
realistically.
Michelangelo is most
known for the Sistine
Chapel and the Statue of
David and Raphael for his
portraits of Renaissance
figures.
ANGUISSOLA AND GENTILESCHI
Two of the first
female artists of
the Renaissance
who were both
well known for
their paintings of
various royalty.
MACHIAVELLI
He was a philosopher and
political thinker.
One of his most famous works is
The Prince. In it, he examines how
a ruler can gain and keep power in
the face of their enemies.
He believed an effective leader
must be intelligent and crafty in
order to outwit his opponents.
VITTORIA COLONNA
A female writer
who was well
known for her
poetry and work
for various noble
families.
VIDEO CLIPS
The Medici: 55 Minute Documentary Clip
The Renaissance Song: 3 Minutes
Humanism: 2 Minutes
Machiavelli: 5 Minutes
