Renaissance

A New European Worldview

Renaissance Art

• The Renaissance saw a return to the ancient Greek pursuit of beauty– Balance, harmony and the pursuit of the ideal

were very important to the ancient Greeks

• Occurred first in Italy as a result of the Byzantine influence and the Roman influence all around them

Renaissance Art

• Though the subjects were frequently religious, they were not portrayed in the gruesome style of the Middle Ages; rather, the real goal was to show idealized beauty in the style of the Greeks.

• This reflects the notion that there was a changing worldview in Europe beginning at this time.

Renaissance Art

• Artists’ goal was to show the scene as it really was (Picture window style)

• Importance was placed on the accurate portrayal of perspective done through observation– Technique was the development of point

perspective as well as the increasing development of math skills that allowed the artist to organize space & light

Renaissance Art

• Individuals (human beings) became the focus of things (portraits became more common)

• Encouraged an investigation of the human anatomy and movement

Effects of the Renaissance• Humanism• A form of education and culture based on the study

of the classics of ancient Rome & Greece• Program revolved around the “Liberal Arts” –

grammar, rhetoric, poetry, ethics, & history• This was often seen as something that should be

shared with the broader community in the sense of a civic duty to serve the city-state (Italian)

• An underlying belief in the educatibility of all human beings (education was key to true freedom in that it allowed people to achieve their full potential)

Effects of the Renaissance

• Development of Vernacular Languages• Impact of Printing– Developed during this time period– Johannes Gutenberg and moveable type (between

1445 and 1450)– Quickly became one of the largest industries in

Europe– Encouraged scholarly learning and research,

sharing of research, expanded literacy

Medieval Society

• European society was strictly hierarchical and divided into three groups (Estates). By the time period of the Renaissance, however, important changes had begun to occur.

Medieval Society

• The First Estate:• Consisted of the clergy (those who prayed)

and all Church officials• Emphasizes the universality of the Catholic

Church in European life

Medieval Society

• The Second Estate:• Consisted of the nobility (those who fought), which

also would have included royalty• This social class made up only 2-3% of the population• The source of their wealth was the large landholdings

of the social class• Nobles were born, not made, and possessed

character, grace and talent• The chief aim of the noble was warfare but, with

changes occurring in warfare, they increasingly were expected to cultivate an education in the Liberal Arts

Medieval Society• The Third Estate:• Peasants made up the overwhelming portion of this class – as

much as 85 –90 percent• Mostly they paid rent to the owner of land, although in Eastern

Europe, many remained serfs• Townspeople made up the rest of this social class and

represented a varied group.• At the top of the class were the patricians whose wealth came

from trade, industry and banking, which allowed them to dominate the urban environment and exert a greater influence in broader affairs.

• Below them were the shopkeepers, artisans & guild members who provided products.

• Underneath these was a broad underclass of semi-employed and unemployed poor.

A New Worldview

• Summary:• How did the worldview of the medieval period

in Europe differ from that of the Renaissance?