Renaissance Period Research Paper

The Italian Renaissance was a movement that occurred between the 14th and 17th centuries. At the end of the 14th century, a handful of Italian thinkers declared that they were living in a new age. They declared that the barbarous, and unenlightened times were over (also known as the Middle Ages) and that the new age would be a “rinascità” or rebirth of learning and literature, art and culture. The major characteristics or feature of the era when it came to the arts were Classicism, Light & shade, Perspective, Realism & expression, and Emphasis on the human body. When it came to the culture and architecture, and learning they referred to the Greek and romans, and Humanism.

The transition from the Medieval period to the Early Modern period is marked by a few significant factors. These new discoveries were just the beginning of the potential of what the world would eventually become today. These events are the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1450, the discovery of the New World in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, and the use and importance of gun powder. These new findings changed the way people lived and how they communicated with others.

The Italian Renaissance one of the astounding, and profound Renaissance that had come across in human history. It is strange and interesting how such a significant cultural change and achievements could be accomplished in the middle ages and early modern Europe. Such Imaginative, and intelligent mind were born in the area. Such as Leonardo da vinci, Michelangelo, William Shakespeare, and none other than Christopher Columbus. Many of these people were famous for their artwork and sculptures and how ingenious and innovative they were, for some for the things they found or created. Leonardo da vinci created the Mona lisa and also the last supper and many more excellent works of art. Which is still critically acclaimed as a marvelous work of art

The Renaissance was a period of discovery, and one of the most important ideas was just how monotonous we were in so many ways, yet just how unique we were in others. During the Renaissance, the church was the center of attention, and instead of a philosophical view of the world, beliefs were centered around basic logic. Inspiration from the ancient Greek and Roman people led to humanism beliefs and encouraged man to become multi-talented. Therefore, the Renaissance man, “an individual who has interests and skills in a wide range of activities”, became prominent (B.E. 433). Also, the ideals of the people changed, and religion no longer ruled their lives like in the Middle Ages. Advancements in all aspects of life virtually improved which caused

The Renaissance was a period in time from 1300-1600AD that was marked by a rebirth (which is what Renaissance means) of science, art, and culture. The legacy of the Renaissance was what they left behind, the great minds of that time left behind many innovative designs and art and changed many things. The most important changes that resulted from the Renaissance were the advances in medicine, engineering, and literature. Of the many scientific and technological advances of that time three stand out, the printing press, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the knowledge gained about the human body and medicine.

inspired not only by paintings in Rome (the main center of innovative ideas), but also by

Renaissance means “revival or rebirth of culture awareness and learning that took place during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries particularly, Italy, but in Germany and other European countries” (wiki 15) as well. A characterized period of renewed interest in ancient Rome and Greek art which design and included an emphasis on human beings, their environment, science, and philosophy. Humanism had their interest and assertion of importance of the person. The history originates to the beginning of the great Western age of finding and exploration. When a desire came about to develop and examine the every aspects of nature and the world.

When I think of the early modern era it’s very hard for me to not think of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Growing up as a black man in America it is instilled in me to search the history of my ancestors just to have a sense of who I am and why I am the way I am. Many changes occurred in the world during this time and the world today is a result of what took place in that time of history. In this paper I will explain the changes that impacted that time and how it may have negatively or positively affected the world.

A renaissance man is someone who is skilled in many fields and has a broad band of knowledge. The term Renaissance man is mainly derived from various artists and scholars of the European Renaissance. The most common Renaissance man of this period was Leonardo Da Vinci. Besides being a master artist, he was an engineer and anatomy expert. During the Renaissance, educated men wanted to become Renaissance men. They were expected to know several languages, understand philosophy and scientific teachings, appreciate literature and art, and be good at sports.

During the renaissance period, art started to take a new leap in style. The faces on people stared to become more realistic, and painting had more detail. One of these astonishing pieces of art is the Arnolfini Portrait. A painter from the Netherlands, named Jan Van Eyck, created the Arnolfini Portrait. This piece of art was painted in 1434 on an oak panel. Two figures are in a room; they are richly dressed and holding hands showing sings of wealth. The interior of the room has a large brass chandelier hanging from the room along with oranges on the windowsill to show wealth as well. If you look closer in the back of the room you will see a convex mirror with writing above it. In the mirror you can see the detail of the backsides of the two figures and some of the room. The detail on this mirror is astonishing. Now if you look above the mirror you will see the writing “Johannes de eyck fuit hic”; which means Jan Van Eyck was here. This is one of the best details paintings of the renaissance. The next painting the changed the art world is called the Mona Lisa.

The effect that the Renaissance had on psychology was that it dramatically altered the worlds’ view on the implication of psychology within people’s lives. The Renaissance described the western civilized development as well as having marked the time of conversion from the medieval era to the modern era. After the dark ages in Europe, so called intellectuals started to implement Plato’s ideals while dismissing the empiricism and observations of Aristotle. Renaissance is a French word for “rebirth” and it brought about exactly that as it encouraged fresh research and new ideas within various fields of science like astrology, botany, zoology, biology, and psychology. By rifling through several ancient manuscripts and past documented researches,

1. This is a photo of a sign in my hometown of Batesville, promoting the "Shakespeare in the Park" event on August 4th, and demonstrates the influence of the Renaissance and humanism on our modern literature and plays. The play to be performed by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Co. is "A Midsummer's Night Dream". Shakespeare was a famous English playwright during the Renaissance period. Shakespeare was greatly influenced by humanism and explored his characters' emotions in his play. In our modern world, Shakespeare's plays are some of the most well-known plays are are performed continually. Thus, our non-secular modern literature and plays are influenced by the Renaissance and humanism.

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

The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy around the 1500’s to about the 1700’s. Florence, Italy was the mecca of this rebirth because at the time Florence was extremely wealthy and the people of the city had political freedom and those new ideals of the Renaissance were not being condemned in Florence as they were other cities. This was a time where the arts and the logic of one’s own mind was valued rather than criticized, the antiquated medieval ideals no longer matched the needs of those who were living during the early Renaissance. Eventually, a term for this way of thinking arose and was called Humanism, and what humanism is, is an ideology where humans can lead themselves to create a prosperous life and instead of leaning on supernatural forces for answers. Humanists believe that humans have enough logic to create conclusions themselves. This brand-new way of thinking caused a lot of controversy because it did question God’s ability and the church’s power, but the ideas behind it are still heavily used today, even in the 21st century. Humanism in the early Renaissance is important because it called for thinking with reason, it allowed an appreciation for human body and mind, inspired authors and caused a shift in power.

Many have argued about just what defined the Renaissance, be it the artwork, the rulers, or the community of the era itself, but nothing compares to effect of literature on the European Renaissance. Literature ingrained itself into the period by expanding the populous view and their ability to access information, creating a more creative and educated public. This, in turn, kick-started multiple inventions, pieces of art, and research that would change how we viewed the world forever.