Johannes Gutenberg and Donatello:Two Important Figures of the Ranaissance

The Renaissance was a period in history that began in Italy dating back to around the 1300s. It followed The Middle Ages and was considered a time of “rebirth”. The people of Europe increased much interest in learning, in the arts and in literature. It also provided the world with a big advancement in science and technology. People questioned old beliefs and were able to turn their miseries into optimism. The Renaissance changed man’s view of man in at least four areas: art, literature, astronomy, and anatomy.

In Europe, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, much of the continent fell into a cultural recession. For many centuries science, mathematics and the arts were extremely stagnant. Beginning in the mid 14th century, the Italian Peninsula began to undergo a transformation evident in the works of artists, writers and scholars. This era is known as the Renaissance and was a revival of the classical world following the appropriately named Dark Ages. Renaissance thinkers became known as humanists, interested in learning about religious and non-religious studies and celebrated worldly achievements. Florence, Italy was the center for many of the advancements that took place during this time period and was the birthplace of many of the Renaissance individuals we know today. The economic, political and artistic influences of the Medici family, combined with it’s ideal geographical location for trade, made Florence emerge as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

The Renaissance is a period in Europe, from the 14th to the 17th century, considered the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history. It started as a cultural movement in Italy in the Late Medieval period and later spread to the rest of Europe, marking the beginning of the Early Modern Age. The Renaissance changed the view of man on the world from how man viewed the world during the middle ages. The purpose of this essay is to show how the Renaissance changed the way man viewed the world. The world was changed in the views of Art, Literature, and Science.

The Renaissance was an era of rebirth and reformation, which brought about awareness of various cultures. It was a period of intellectual improvement because there was a new enthusiasm for learning. Also, there was an increasing focus in humanism, which emphasized the importance of individualization. Numerous improvements in literature, art, music, and philosophy led to developments that still influence today’s way of living. The exploration of the new world allowed the natural beauty of the world to be exposed and allowed for the discovery of foreign lands.

The Renaissance is known to many as the rebirth of society and the revival of classic learning. It opened the doors for new and improved ideas in writing, composing, and painting. This period of time effected society in many positive ways because of the newer advantages being made for the future to come. The literature, music, and art of the Renaissance had a great impact on society.

The movement that was called the Renaissance is defined and represented as the cultural rebirth that occurred in Europe from around 1300 – 1700 A.c.. This period was based on the rediscovery of the literature, and culture of and from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In this time period, architecture and art flourished extremely. This was because and due to the fact that patrons of art wanted to display their wealth to and around the World. This would prove their worth. Some artisans that grew and thrived in the Renaissance were Michelangelo, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Albrecht Dürer, Raffaello Sanzio, Leonardo da Vinci, Filippo Brunelleschi, and so many other skilled artists.

Johannes Gutenberg the man who created the printer press. The printer press had many effects on the people it touched. Such as Isaac Newton he created the scientific method. There are so much more effects of the printer press. However the most important effect of the printing press was the spread of religion.

Johannes Gutenberg life and accomplishments have had the greatest impact on our modern world. He invented the printing press in the year 1455. The first book he printed was the Gutenberg Bible. 45 years later in 1500 there were over a thousand printers in europe. Because of his invention of printing this “allowed European civilization to compete for the first time with the civilization of China”. Printing allowed for school books, religion books, and novelty books to be widely spread through the world. Gutenberg’s invention has now been enhanced. This is why I believe that the Johannes Gutenberg's life accomplishments have had the greatest

Gutenberg’s invention made it possible to print multiple copies of a single book. Printing became common, and literacy and knowledge spread around Europe and the rest of the world at a pace never seen before.

The chronicle period known as the Renaissance spans from about the fifteenth to seventeenth century. "Renaissance" signifies rebirth and during this time Europe deserted the altered thoughts of the Middle Ages and made the beginnings of the advanced world as we know it today. The civilizations of antiquated Greece and Rome were rediscovered, motivating an enthusiasm for Classical learning, which tested medieval convictions and thoughts. The population at that time was getting wealthier which prompted an increment in exchange and travel and the spread of new thoughts. The ascent in prosperity created an enthusiasm for education, which bolstered the prospering of expressions of the human experience and advanced investigative disclosures and new developments. Maybe the most essential of these was the printing press, which empowered books to

Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. His contributions have affected how our lives are today. Printing methods and techniques have changed drastically since then. From the 1400's to now, the printing methods have became more high tech. Though he invented the printing press all the way back in the 1400’s doesn't mean he hasn't left a huge impact on today's printing.

The renaissance was a time of renewal in Europe during the 14th through the 16th centuries. Many believe that it was an era for which individual perspective and thought came forward. As Europe changed so did the artwork and styles, as people were no longer held by social and economic bondage of previous times. Math and science, along with other newly found knowledge, helped to shape what was to be known as the renaissance. This gave many artists the ability to shape anatomically correct beings and give better perspective to objects. This “realistic perspective,” later known as realism, would help to give people a better view of natural surroundings during the time. Artists during the time such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci would help to pave the way for the countless others to follow. Prior to the renaissance, mostly portrait paintings were done. The renaissance was sure to pave the way for the countless artists to follow as it opened the door to individual perspective and thought for the modern-day artist.

The Renaissance, the period after the Dark Ages, was a time of new discoveries and enlightenment. It recreated the passion for literature, the arts, the mathematics, and many more. Beginning in the 15th century and reigning supreme until the late 16th century, the Renaissance was a time in which people learned things from the past and recreated them, transforming them into something beautiful. Many creative, influential, and intelligent people were born during this time, including Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi (better known as Donatello). Donatello completely changed the way artwork was done. He invented new styles and had many influential works.

The European Renaissance was a time of great change. The people of that time were beginning to take an interest in learning and also began to follow the idea of humanism. Humanism was a way of life where a person would reject most religious beliefs and focus on the here and now. One of the main things Humanist believed in was individual achievement. This gave many artists the opportunity to be known around Europe for his or her talent and not be criticized for being selfish.

In 1408, I was back in Florence at the workshops of the cathedral and completed the life-sized marble sculpture, David. It has a Gothic style and an expressionless face. It reflects the influences of sculptors of the time. David is probably one of my most famous works. I also developed my own style with figures that are much more dramatic and emotional. Between 1411 and 1413, I sculpted the marble figure, St. Mark. In 1415 I completed the marble statue of a seated St. John the Evangelist for the cathedral in Florence. Around 1425, I began a partnership with Italian sculptor and architect Michelozzo. WE went to Rome and made several architectural sculptor tombs, including the tomb of Antipope John XXIII and the tomb of Cardinal Brancacci. In 1430 Cosimo de’ Medici assigned me to do another statue of David but this time in bronze. Then in 1443, I was called to the city of Padua by the family of Erasmo da Narni. In 1450, I completed a bronze statue called Gattamelata. It showed Erasmo riding a horse with full battle dress. Finally in 1455 I returned to Florence and completed Magdalene