Florence, Italy, The Birthplace Of The Renaissance

The Renaissance period was the period that was referred to as the "the rebirth" of Classical culture. During this era, many Italians believed that they observed the rebirth of antiquity or Greco-roman civilization (334). Throughout this time period, the art that came out was similar to the growth that happened in philosophy, literature, music and science. Renaissance art focused more on humans, the accurate portrayal of the natural world as well as the old architecture of the Romans. The Renaissance art was reflected politically because during this time, the cities were ruled by wealthy families. Families such as the Medici family were extremely powerful and influential during this time (335). In their prime days, the Medici family was considered the most influential money lenders and best bank in Europe (335).

The Medici Family was an extremely wealthy family who played a key role in developing Florence’s political system. They controlled much of Florence throughout the Renaissance and supported the growth of the arts within the city. Giovanni de Medici began in the banking business and by 1397 he was the banker of the Papal Court. (p.338 Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students. 3rd ed., Pearson, 2004.) Centrally located in Florence, Giovanni and

The Renaissance period is known for the revival of the classical art and intellect born in ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance is also a time that is marked by growth, exploration, and rebirth. The Italian Renaissance started in Florence and progressively made its way into Venice and then into the great city of Rome. During the Renaissance, Rome was home to some of the most renowned works of art and the finest architectural masterpieces in the world - too many that still holds true today. Along with the delicate architecture and grand artistry, Rome was also home to a mixture of people and cultures. It is in this cultural context and through the book A Street Life in Renaissance Rome: A Brief History with Documents, that understanding how men, woman, and specifically Jews and Christians lived in Rome becomes important to better understand this period of renewal.

Florence is arguably the starting place of the renaissance. With many different artists there, the Medici Family in control and a very strong trading system, it was a very powerful city-state during the renaissance. During this time, the feudal system was no more. The people in

The Italian Renaissance was a period in history unlike most others; this was an era of ingenuity, expansion, and enlightenment that would revolutionize both society as the people of the Renaissance knew it to be, and as the future generations of individuals across the globe understand it today. Florence held itself out to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, yet the people of this renaissance era never lost sight of the Greek and Roman heritage. The following essay will discuss the varying ways in which Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and will provide the reader with examples that demonstrate Greco-Roman ideas and practices in the Italian Renaissance.

Boundless World History. "Italy during the Renaissance". Lumen. Boundless World History. 27 May 2018. (-- removed HTML --)

Florence was near the center of the entire Renaissance movement, and it was there that the Medici family played an interesting role in rising to power. With the Medici as a leading influential figure, Florence became a progressive leader in the expansion of the arts, especially for sculptures and architects. Because of the interest and appreciation, the members of the Medici family had for a variety of art forms, large amounts of economic activity were poured into Florence through the increase in demand for the arts and more skillful craftsmanship. All of this was made possible due to the copious amounts of wealth the Medici family had due to their successful bank.

The Italian Renaissance was a time for great cultural change and achievements, which began in Italy approximately during the 13th century and lasted up until the 16th century. It marked the transition between the Dark Ages and Early Modern Europe. The European Renaissance originated in Central Italy, and centered in the city of Florence.i The distinctive characteristics of northern Italian states such as art, literature, philosophy, and culture produced an atmosphere of learning and artistic expression.

Florence was exposed to the principles and ideologies of foreign regions and immersed them into the art and literature produced thereafter. That then percolated to the rest of the other European nations and the rest of Italy itself. The Medici maintained these connections rooted and stable by way of finance and politics and guaranteed that Florence, throughout the Renaissance, was an advocate of the arts. Furthermore, had it not been for the establishment of a connection between the Medici and the Papacy, Florence and Rome, it seems, may have actually been rivals grown under the essence of partnership and collaboration during the Renaissance. Rome supplied many Florentine artists with a harbor, and, in turn, Florence took advantage of the administration of the papal funds.

Isabella d’Este, also known as “the first lady of the world,” was an influential person in the Renaissance period. She was married to Francisco Gonzaga and ruled the city-state of Mantua, in his absence. In her youth, her family ruled Ferrara, another Italian city-state, located on the Po River. At the age of sixteen she was married, and perfectly embodied the Renaissance ideal of an individual. This is true because she was universally educated and fulfilled her duties.

The Renaissance was the rebirth of Europe and it all started in the city of Florence. Florence and everything that made a standard Renaissance city: painters, sculptors, writers, architects, and a vivid culture. Soon all of Europe would follow in Florence’s footsteps and “the setting is so rich, varied, rambunctious, and inventive as Italy in the Renaissance” (Cohen 1). The

The Renaissance brought many new concepts and influential people to Rome that helped shape the country. During this time, a rebirth of interests in Greek and Roman art emerged, and attention shifted to the world of nature. It was primarily a time of the revival of classical learning after a long period of cultural inactivity and decline. This allowed people to be more open minded which allowed for another intellectual movement, Humanism, to emerge and spread throughout the country. The Medici family lived in Rome during this period of rebirths and movements. The Pazzi and Albizzi families would take their turn as head of government in Florence before the Medici’s. The Medici family would eventually become the political dynasty during the mid-15th century. The Medici family had a major influence on the growth of the Renaissance through their establishment of the first system of banking, patronage of the arts, and their power in Florence.

On the eve of her coronation, Elizabeth I said, “I will be as good unto you as ever a queen was unto her people” (Grant, 140). Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici of France were both powerful female monarchs during the Renaissance whose rules shaped the current religious affiliations of France and England. The reigns of Elizabeth and Catherine differed in their extent of power and matrimony, but were similar in influence and support of the arts, and Elizabeth was ultimately the more successful monarch.

YOUR NAME PROFESSOR'S NAME NAME OF CLASS DATE The Influence of Medici Family During Renassaince Era Boneish Bryan The Medici family made a tremendous impact during on the world of art during the Renaissance Era. They used their wealth to build more wealth and thus began to rule Florence. Their impact was a positive one especially for aspiring artists.

During the renaissance, most artist had a common enemy known as the court, which was ruled by the most wealthy and powerful families in Italy. The court was in charge of one’s position in society. When an individual would be born in a royal family, that individual was able to experience life to a new level. “Three chamberlains will never suffice in dressing our lord…” (pg. 23). In