The Italian Renaissance

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.

What was the Renaissance and why did it happen? Italian life in the 14th and 15th centuries was lived among the vast ruins of the ancient Roman Empire. The cruelty and barbarism of Rome

Nyctophobia; the fear of the dark. However, it’s not exactly the fear of darkness itself, but rather, what could be lurking within it. Now, the Dark Ages weren’t actually “dark”, but it was a time of rapid decline in Europe in which historians don’t have much information. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was thrown into a never ending battle of hardships. From the Black Plague to the loss of beloved heroes and heroines, the country really was left in the dark, until a flicker of hope emerged offering a new beginning: the Renaissance. The Renaissance lasted from the 14th to the 17th century and was an era of “rebirth” in European history. During this period, culture throughout Europe underwent a dramatic reformation where classic

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.

The Italian and Northern Europe Renaissances were both an important mark in history by changing the ideals of life, thought, culture, and art of the people’s of this time. In this paper I will explain the motive for change in these cultures, including the similarities and differences of the two cultures.

The Renaissance of 14th century Italy is often most revered as a cultural movement based on humanism, which lead to an increase, in education and social involvement for certain groups of people. The Renaissance in 15th century England was ultimately influenced by Italy, but had distinct developments of its own. As one may expect equal benefits for all classes and genders during this period of rapid change, the status of women did not particularly differ during this time period. Many would even argue that their presence diminished in comparison to their medieval counterparts. This essay will argue for the limited opportunities for women in education, politics, and paid labour during Early Modern Europe in Italy and England, which ultimately barred them from obtaining what many consider a contemporary understanding of a “Renaissance.”

The Renaissance was a rebirth of the ideas of ancient Greece and Rome that began in the City States of Italy during the 14th century. The cultural resurgence began a new style of living in Europe after the horrors of the black death, and is seen as the beginning of the culture of the modern world. As Wassace K. Ferguson put in his book The Renaissance, the Italian artists grew tired of the darkness of Medieval Times and began to turn to the brighter times found in the classical ages (Doc 7). The Renaissance served as the evolutionary bridge between the Middle Ages and the 17th century through art, education, and religion by bringing a rebirth of the ancient Greek and Roman classics that would later define the world’s culture, while continuing the underlying beliefs of Medieval Times.

Like previously mentioned in the class, I have an intense interest for Italian art since I have been in contact with it since birth. Because of this I would like to explore the High Renaissance since I feel experienced and comfortable with this art period. The High Renaissance, or the Italian Renaissance, lasted from 1330 to 1550 with Florence, Italy being the birthplace of it all. In the following essay I would like to discuss Neo-Platonists, which was the dominant philosophy so-to-speak at the time. Secondly, I will talk about the Medici family and their influence during this period. Lastly, I will discuss various Renaissance men such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael because they were the people who shaped and defined the period.

One of the great achievements of the Italian Renaissance is the application perspective, which is the product of the combination of science and art.The early perspective is invented by the early Renaissance painter.Perspective enabling artists to scientific accuracy in the reproduction of a two-dimensional surface having a three-dimensional space and figures. Art is not a simple art activity but a scientific activity. An artists use of perspective can create a realistic effect represented (Bouleau 1963).

literature includes such figures as the humanists Petrarch (best known for the sonnets of The

Florence played a HUGE role in the Renaissance. The Renaissance was the rebirth of most of Europe and most of the changes first occurred in Florence, Italy. During the Renaissance, Florence was the exciting place to be. Florence was a self-governed, independent city-state. Also, they were on the the wealthiest places in Europe. Florence was made up of 2 guilds. The first guild was all the wealthy men, and the 2nd guild were all the buisness men. It was truly amazing!

The Renaissance Era took place for a time period that lasted for approximately 150 years and during that time significant changes took place. These changes were with the Arts, Literature, Fashion, and ideals. “The entire age can be subdivided into three phases: from 1350 to 1400 during which discovery of ancient texts and experimentation with new art forms took place; 1400 to 1500 typified by political stability in the Italian city-states and the creation of recognizable cultural; and 1500 to 1550 dominated by foreign invasion and the diffusion of the Italian Renaissance to the rest of western Europe” (“Renaissance Society”). The birth of the Renaissance took place in Italy after the most destructive plagues that caused enormous loss of life and this was the Black Plague (Life in Italy). The plague was a tragic time which killed so many people and was difficult to survive. “Despite the plague, the quality of life for surviving citizens of the Renaissance may have improved” (“Renaissance Society”).

The Renaissance period is know for the revival of the classical art and intellect born in ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance is also a time that is marked with growth, exploration and rebirth. The Italian Renaissance started in Florence and progressively made it's way into Venice and then into the great city of Rome. During the Renaissance, Rome was home to some of the renowned works of art and the finest architectural masterpieces in the world - to 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 that understanding how men, woman, and specifically Jews and Christians lived in Rome, becomes important to better understanding this period of renewal.

The Renaissance was a time of “rebirth” and a transition from the medieval time to the Early Modern World. It emphasized human beings, their achievements, interests, and capabilities. This time period was a “gateway” to the modern world and was essential for the improvement of human life. At the time there were two main Renaissances, the Northern, and the Italian.

In the debate over the proper way in which to make art in Renaissance and Baroque Italy, the debate, seems to have hardened into a matter of disegno and colore, with each representing a whole artistic philosophy exacerbated by an wrapped up in civic pride, competition and individual ego. If taken at face value, disegno, represented by Georgio Vasari and practiced in Florence, was the essence of rationality and intellectual detail, demanding artists who could be “universal” (this being too early to call themselves “Renaissance men”), and engage in planning out projects with extensive sketches, experiments in perspective, technical mastery and serious study of classical models and living masters.