Chapter 12

“Renaissance &
Reformation”
1300 - 1600

The Mona
Lisa
the prototype of
the Renaissance
portrait
Unlike in Dark Ages or Gothic art, renaissance artists sought to imitate nature in
their works. Human beings became the focus of attention. Artists focused their
attention to detail and perspective.
“The architect” Filippo Brunelleschi (BROO-nuhl-EHS-kee) was
inspired by the buildings of classical Rome to create a new architecture in
Florence.
He designed and build the Dome on the cathedral called the “Duomo.” 4
million bricks were used in the construction.
 Brunelleschi’s Giotto’s Belltower
Dome

The Duomo, a Renaissance Church in

Florence, Italy.
Contains artwork by many important Renaissance Artists
Fresco – a painting done on fresh, wet plaster with water-based paints.
De’ Medici Family
•Bankers
•Patrons of the arts
•Controllers of Florence
•“Godfathers” Cosimo funded Brunelleschi’s dome.

This family controlled

Florence politically,
economically and
artistically.

Lorenzo De’Medici followed his grandfather Cosimo.

Video: A Rebirth (3:26)
 The Italian Renaissance
• The word renaissance means rebirth.
• The Italian Renaissance,
which spread to the rest
of Europe, occurred
between 1350 and 1550.
• The rebirth was of
the ancient Greek
and Roman
worlds.
The Italian Renaissance

• Power of the church declines.

• Society recovers from

plagues and instability of
Middle Ages
• A new view of human
beings:
beings emphasized
individual ability &
worth emerge.
The Italian Renaissance
Milan, Venice, Florence –
3 Great Renaissance city-states

• Flourished during
the crusades and
continue shipping &
trading.
• Italy was a target for
invasion from
European countries.
Video: Advances in Representation &
Perspective (3:26)

Advances_in_Representation_and_Perspective.wmv
Luca Carlevaris,
The Pier & the Ducal Palace
P. 376
 Luca Carlevaris,
The Pier & the Ducal Palace
P. 376
Michelangelo

Two of his best

known works:
• Pieta
• David
Video: Michelangelo: The Early Years (3:31)
 Pieta
This famous work
of art depicts the
body of Jesus on
the lap of his
mother Mary after
the Crucifixion.
Exterior of the Sistine Chapel
Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Video: Michelangelo: Ceiling of Sistine Chapel (2:49)
“The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo
Michelangelo – St. Peter’s
 St. Peter’s Basilica
• Burial Site of Saint Peter, one of
Jesus’ twelve apostles.
• It occupies a "unique position" as
one of the holiest sites and as "the
greatest of all churches of
Christendom."
• Many popes buried there.

As a piece of architecture – it is regarded as the greatest of

it’s time.
Michelangelo designed the dome.
Inside St. Peter’s
 17 foot marble statue
David portrays the
Biblical King David
in the nude, at the
moment that he
decides to battle
with Goliath.
 The Italian Renaissance

• Charles I ends
the Italian wars
• Sacks Rome in
1527, pillaging
the town.
• Spanish influence
becomes the dominate
force in Italy.
 3 Characteristics of the
Italian Renaissance
1. Secularism: not
religious
2. Individuality:
quest for perfection
3. Humanism:
Based on the study
of the classics of
Greece and Rome

Michealangelo’s tomb of Pope Julius II – “The Warrior Pope”

 The Renaissance:
Emphasis on Individual
“…with freedom of choice and with
honor, …you may fashion yourself in
whatever shape you shall prefer.”
-- Pico della Mirandola, Renaissance Philosopher, in
Oration on the Dignity of Man
Renaissance Society
Serfdom decreased with the decline of the manorial system.

Patricians- wealthy merchants

Burghers – artisans/shopkeepers
Workers – pitiful wages

Poor = 85 to 90% of the

total European
population, except in
highly urban centers.
 Machiavelli:
“The Prince”
A book about how to
acquire and keep
political power.

“A prince… should know

how to do evil, if that is
necessary.”
The Italian Baldassare Castiglione
The Book of the Courtier.
Nobles Should Have:
Talent, Character, & Grace
Characteristics of a Noble

1. born, not made

2. had to develop two basic
skills
a. military skills
b. classical education*
3. Needed to follow a certain
standard of conduct

* Different from medieval

knight.