Renaissance

Introduction

 The term ‘renaissance’ = a revival or reawakening.

 It developed in ancient Greco–Roman civilization during a
certain era of European history.

Impact of on Europe:

 Development of new forms of paintings, art, sculpture, and architecture.

 Decline in feudalism.
 Rise of the middle class in Europe (merchants, traders, rich peasants).

 Wherever the term ‘renaissance’ is used → it refers to the revival.

 The term ‘renaissance’ also refers to dramatic transformation in art, religion, and science
in Europe during the 14th to 16th centuries.

Focuses on:

 Contributory factors that brought about the renaissance.

 Development in the field of literature.
 Progress in art, sculpture, and architecture.
 Reawakening in science, medicine, and philosophy.

 The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political, and
economic rebirth.
 It came after the middle Ages.
 Generally took place from the 14th century to the 17th century.
 The Renaissance promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature, and art.
The Background of the Renaissance

 Historians use the term ‘the Renaissance’ to refer to the revolutionary transformation in
arts and science in Europe during the 14th to 16th centuries.
 The Renaissance originated in Italy and had a huge impact in shaping the history of the
modern world.

 With the collapse of the Roman civilization in the 5th century AD, the prosperous period
in Europe came to an end.
 The next 1000 years (500–1500 AD) is called the medieval era of Europe.
 Towards the end of the medieval period, Europeans
developed great interest in the ancient Greco-Roman
civilization.
 They began to study the writings of that civilization.
 They also learned Greek and Latin languages used in the
ancient civilization.
 A significant feature was in-depth studies of the Greco-
Roman civilization.
 Cultural trends of that civilization became popular again in
Europe.
 Because of this transformation in philosophical and practical terms, the Greco-Roman
civilization seemed to have reawakened.
 This situation was a renaissance or revival in European history.
 The broad transformation in arts and science from the 14th to 16th centuries helped to
mould the present history of the world.
 This transformation started in Italy.

Related Factors that brought about the Renaissance

1. City of Constantinople came under Turkish power.

 Since ancient times, there had been trade relationships

between Asia and Europe.
 The City of Constantinople became a very significant
commercial center.
 Goods from Asia were brought to Europe through traditional
trade routes and traded there.
 Traders from European countries came to Constantinople, bought goods, and sold them
in European countries.
 Trade in Europe suffered a crippling blow after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453
by the Muslim Turks.
 At this time, there was a dispute between Christians in Europe and Muslims outside.

 With the capture of Constantinople, Christian traders in Europe could no longer use the
city for trade activities.
 Scholars in Constantinople fled to their countries carrying valuable Greek and Roman
books from the libraries of the city.
 They promoted the Greek and Latin languages needed to study those books.
 Those books were studied widely in institutes such as the University of Bologna in Italy.
 This resulted in a revitalization of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.

2. Expansion of Trade and Creation of a Wealthy Class

 Growth of trade in Europe since the 12th century AD was a major factor for the
Renaissance.
 Well-developed commercial cities such as Venice, Genoa, and Florence in Italy emerged
because of increased trade between East and West.
 The rich in those cities had leisure to focus on art and wealth to sponsor activities.
 The creation of a wealthy class was a causative factor for the Renaissance to originate in
Italy.
 The Medici family in Florence was an example of a wealthy family who gave patronage to
arts activities of the city.
3. Intellectual Revival

 After the collapse of the Roman civilization, the education system was centered on the
Christian Church of Europe and the priests.
 Only a few subjects such as scriptures, philosophy, and law were taught under that
system.
 After the 12th century, universities began to be established in Europe.

 Universities produced many modern scholars by teaching various subjects such as

classical literature, history, and drama.
 Greek and Roman books were used in research activities of universities.
 Study of classical literature was given a prominent place, leading to a revival of science
and arts knowledge.
 Before, books for studies had to be hand copied, limiting education to a particular social
group and restricting the expansion of knowledge.
 The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg during the Renaissance era
brought a revolution in the expansion of knowledge.
 Making thousands of copies of a book in a short period was a great achievement.
 The printing press was a key causative factor that contributed to the Renaissance of
Europe.
Coming of the Renaissance: Creation of New Scholars

 Before the Renaissance period, languages used in European countries were limited to a
particular group of countries or areas.
 During the Renaissance era, there was an increase in the use of books written in Greek
and Latin languages, resulting in a revival of those languages.
 Learning of Greek and Latin languages became a fashion during that period.
 This led to a wide expansion in the learning of those languages.
 The expansion also promoted the learning of literature, which created many modern
scholars.

 The table lists names of some writers who belong to the Renaissance period.
 These writers contributed to the literature and intellectual revival of the Renaissance era.

Coming up of Humanism

 Before the Renaissance era, the concept ‘God is supreme’ (theism) reigned.
 During the Renaissance, more studies began on the affairs of humans, making humanism
popular.
 Humanism drew attention to the path man had taken in world history and to the artistic
skills of man.
 As a result, new subjects such as history and arts emerged.
 Education was no longer limited to the study of religion; it transformed into studying man
and man’s living.
Arts and Crafts

 The dramatic transformation in the Renaissance era was remarkable.

 In the preceding period, artistic creations with patronage of the church were based on
religious philosophy.
 The objective of such creations was to inspire people’s devotion to religion.
 In contrast, artistic creations of the Renaissance era influenced by Roman and Greek
styles gave prominence to aesthetic feeling.

 Paintings and images during the Renaissance period often contained nude or half-nude
figures.
 Patronage from the rich, who valued worldly pleasures, helped revival in artistic
creations.
 A table shows the features of artistic creations of the preceding period and how they
differed from those of the Renaissance era.
Painting

 Painting underwent a dramatic change during the Renaissance era.

 City of Florence, Italy was the center where a new form of painting was introduced.
 Paintings focused on worldly matters instead of religious themes like Jesus Christ or
Mother Mary.
 Famous masterpieces like ‘Mona Lisa’ were created during the Renaissance era.
 Many artists emerged during this period, creating such masterpieces.
Sculpture

 Sculpture flourished during the Renaissance era.

 Creating sculptures out of marble was a special feature of this period.
 Michelangelo was an accomplished sculptor of the Renaissance era.
 His works ‘The Pieta’, ‘David’, and ‘Moses’ are among the world’s greatest sculptures.
 Donatello was another great sculptor of the Renaissance era.
 The statue of St. John in Florence shows Donatello’s extraordinary skill.

Architecture

 Imitating certain features of ancient Roman architecture was a special feature of

buildings constructed in the Renaissance era.

Italian Renaissance Architecture

 Famous buildings of the Italian Renaissance include:

 St Peter's Basilica
 Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore
 Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
 Tempietto del Bramante
 Palazzo Pitti
 Palazzo Vecchio
 Basilica of San Lorenzo
 Ospedale degli Innocenti
 Buildings included round arches, tall pillars, and hemispherical domes.
 These features were used in buildings constructed in ancient Rome.
 The architecture showed a revival of classical Roman design.

Find more details about nature of the architecture during renaissance.

Nature of Renaissance Architecture

 Revival of Classical Elements: Renaissance architecture drew inspiration from ancient

Roman and Greek designs, emphasizing symmetry, proportion, and geometry.
 Key Architectural Features:
 Rounded arches and hemispherical domes.
 Use of columns, pilasters, and entablatures.
 Symmetrical facades with a clear central axis.
 Balanced proportions and regularity of parts.
 Influence of Vitruvius: The writings of the Roman architect Vitruvius were instrumental in
guiding Renaissance architects, emphasizing the importance of symmetry and proportion in
design.
 Architectural Orders: Renaissance architects utilized the Roman orders of columns—
Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite—both structurally and decoratively.
 Notable Architects:
 Filippo Brunelleschi: Credited with developing the linear perspective in architecture
and designing the dome of the Florence Cathedral.
 Leon Battista Alberti: Authored "De re aedificatoria," a treatise on architecture that
influenced Renaissance design principles.
 Andrea Palladio: Known for his work in Palladian architecture, emphasizing
symmetry and classical elements.
 Transition from Gothic: Renaissance architecture marked a departure from the verticality
and ornamentation of Gothic architecture, favoring a more grounded, harmonious, and
balanced approach.
What type of architecture was used during the Renaissance?

 Classical orders and architectural elements such as columns, pilasters, pediments,

entablatures, arches, and domes were used in Renaissance buildings.
 Vitruvius’ writings influenced the Renaissance definition of beauty in architecture.
 St Peter’s Basilica in Rome is one of the greatest works featuring Greek and Roman
architectural elements of the Renaissance era.
 Many works by Michelangelo and the great architect Raphael can be seen there.

New Scientific Inventions of the Renaissance Era

 Development in thought during the Renaissance era was not limited to arts.
 European scholars studied ancient history, literature, and philosophy in depth.
 This led to great development in judgment in society.
 People were encouraged to reason everything instead of following convention.
 This contributed to the advancement of science, paving the way for new scientific
inventions.