Unit 7 Lesson 6: Renaissance

Question 1

Renaissance

Answer 1

The word Renaissance comes from the French word for “rebirth.” The Renaissance was an era in European history from 1340 to 1620 in which people began to show a greater interest in the arts and sciences. This name was coined in the 1840s by historians because it was seen as a period of “rebirth” after what they once called the Dark Ages.

Question 2

Humanism as a philosophy influenced Renaissance thinkers.

Answer 2

The philosophy was started by Francesco Petrarch, a scholar in Italy during the fourteenth century. He read a translated copy of the works of Cicero, a Roman politician and philosopher. Influenced by his ideas, Petrarch introduced many of the ideas that impacted the Renaissance. Humanism focuses on the humanities. It is the study of human beings and their society, politics, religion, and culture. He placed emphasis on the study of literature and history to better understand how humans think and behave. Petrarch is now viewed as the “father” of humanism.

Question 2

dark ages/ middle ages

Answer 2

This period came after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. It is now called the Middle Ages, referring to the period between around 500 CE to around 1400 CE.

Question 2

The Medici family, a wealthy family in Florence, Italy, in particular, were famous for their generous patronage.

Answer 2

One of the earliest instances of this was when the Medicis sponsored Filippo Brunelleschi to construct the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, from 1421 to the 1460s. By paying for these works of art, patrons financed the Renaissance, allowing these artists to create work full time.

Question 2

The Renaissance would not have been possible without the work of Muslim scholars in the Middle East.

Answer 2

The ideas of Greek and Roman philosophers fueled the movement. However, by the fifteenth century no one in Europe spoke or read the Greek of Classical times. Many Roman works had been lost. Luckily, Muslim scholars had been translating the work of Greek and Roman philosophers, writers, and scientists for centuries. They studied these works and were influenced by them for nearly a thousand years before the Renaissance. Artists, philosophers, and scientists in Europe studied these works, leading to the advances of the period.

Question 2

Not only wealthy citizens became patrons; the Catholic Church did too. One notable work was the Sistine Chapel.

Answer 2

The walls of this chapel in Vatican City depict many famous scenes from the Bible. These were painted by Renaissance artists such as Botticelli, Perugino, and Cosimo Rosselli. Most famous of all of these was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo. The chapel still attracts millions of tourists every year. European art from this period spread Europe’s cultural influence. Even today, European art and architecture are still admired.

Question 3

Copernican Revolution

Answer 3

Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronomer, was one of the first European thinkers to suggest a model of the universe with the sun at its center, rather than the Earth. This has sometimes been called the Copernican Revolution. This idea pushed scientists and other thinkers to question previous thought, although it was at first unpopular. It also led some to question the authority of the Catholic Church. Inquiry became an important part of science, leading scientists to further investigate the world around them. Later, scientists such as Galileo Galilee were proponents of this theory.

Question 3

The Renaissance would not have grown to be as influential without the introduction of the printing press or without patronage from wealthy families.

Answer 3

Johannes Gutenberg is thought to have begun work on the printing press around 1436. Some credit him with the invention of the device. However, woodblock printing was happening in China since the ninth century. The printing press allowed books and other works to be created much quicker. Before, books were often handwritten in Europe. It took incredibly long periods of time to create and share works. With the printing press, the ideas of the Renaissance could be shared more widely and easily.

Question 3

Patronage

Answer 3

A patron would finance the works of Renaissance artists. The Medici family, a wealthy family in Florence, Italy, in particular, were famous for their generous patronage. Patrons would approach an artist such as the famous Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci. They would offer to pay them money for creating a work of art.

Question 4

The Renaissance had major impacts on European society, culture, and politics. Art and architecture’s impact on culture are the most commonly recognized effects.

Answer 4

Artwork began using humanist themes, including Greek and Roman imagery and ideas. Famous works such as, “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, used Roman and Greek mythology as inspiration. Christian imagery also became more common. One example is Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” This work shows the final meal that Jesus had with his disciples.

Question 5

Science advanced in Europe during the Renaissance. Nicolaus Copernicus

Answer 5

For many years, people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe with all planets and the sun revolving around it. This doctrine was pushed by the Catholic Church, which argued that God would put humanity in the center of the universe. Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronomer, was one of the first European thinkers to suggest a model of the universe with the sun at its center, rather than the Earth.

Question 6

Anatomy and the human body were also studied in more detail.

Answer 6

Understanding anatomy was made even more important by artists who wanted to perfect illustrating the human form. The human body and appreciation of it became a common theme in Renaissance art.

Question 7

Inventions such as firearms, the magnetic compass, and the printing press put Europe on equal footing with the rest of the world.

Answer 7

These three inventions had been common in Asia already for centuries. By using these devices, Europe could better compete with Asia for economic and cultural influence. The magnetic compass in particular made exploration easier, impacting Europeans’ interactions with the Americas. In fact, by 1492, a hundred years into the Renaissance, Christopher Columbus first came into contact with the Taíno people of the Caribbean.

Question 8

What does Renaissance translate to from French? How is this term used in historical context?

Answer 8

It translates to “rebirth.” It refers to the “rebirth” of the study of science and the creation and of an appreciation for art after the Middle Ages.

Question 9

When did the Renaissance begin?

Answer 9

around 1400 CE

Question 10

1.

Humanism combined the study of Greek and Roman classics with that of early Christian writings.

Answer 10

Scholars studied classical texts in their original languages. This allowed them to learn more about ancient ideas that were still relevant in their own society. Modern historians also approach similar tasks by implementing the 21st century skill of accessing and evaluating information. This lets them gain greater knowledge of historical texts.

Question 11

Humanism focused on the humanities, or studia humanitatis, instead of religion.

Answer 11

Humanists studied history, politics, literature, philosophy, and rhetoric. They also learned classical Greek and Roman languages. Humanists believed that education improved society. They urged rulers to study the humanities so they could learn to govern wisely.

Question 12

Renaissance humanists were fascinated by people and their potential.

Answer 12

They followed the social principle of individualism. The medieval Church disapproved of taking pride in one’s own accomplishments. Pride was one of the Church’s Seven Deadly Sins.

Question 12

Individualism stressed

Answer 12

Individualism stressed personality, independence, and self-reliance. Humanists encouraged people to develop their own capabilities and talents. Humanism also celebrated the beauty of the human body.

Question 13

These scholars shifted society’s focus from faith and the afterlife to the secular world.

Answer 13

These scholars shifted society’s focus from faith and the afterlife to the secular world. They encouraged people to pay attention to the details of their world. They believed this was best done by acquiring knowledge through the five senses.

Question 14

Works of art used the concept of Naturalism

Answer 14

Works of art used the concept of Naturalism to show how objects existed in nature. Most humanists were practicing Catholics. Their works often addressed religious subject matter. These works, however, built a better understanding of the human body and human behavior.

Question 15

founders of humanist

Answer 15

The humanist movement that was at the center of the Italian Renaissance can be traced back to the city of Florence. This city is located in the central region of Tuscany. Writers Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarch, and Giovanni Boccaccio all lived here at this time. They have been recognized as the founders of humanism.

Question 16

1.

Dante

Answer 16

Dante borrowed many classical elements from the Roman poet Virgil when he wrote The Divine Comedy between 1308 and 1320. The poem’s central message dealt with reaching salvation. Dante also addressed humanity’s role in God’s universe. He focused on individualism by showing how people’s actions in life determined their fate in the afterlife.

Question 16

Boccaccio

Answer 16

Boccaccio also turned to classical manuscripts to produce such works as Decameron (Ten Days). This is a collection of tales that dealt with everyday human experiences in great detail. Boccaccio realistically depicted the ten storytellers in this collection with all of their faults rather than showing them to be ideal human beings.

Question 17

Francesco Petrarch

Answer 17

Francesco Petrarch was one of Boccaccio’s contemporaries during the mid-1300s. Petrarch believed current European culture was crude and barbaric. He accessed and evaluated the literature of ancient Rome to create a new golden age of thought and politics. He considered ideas gathered from classical texts to be superior to those present in Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. He is often called the “Father of Humanism.”

Question 18

impact of the founders of hummainst movement

Answer 18

All three writers wrote in the Tuscan vernacular language. This eventually became the basis for the modern Italian language. This practice also led to the replacement of Latin as the dominant language in most manuscripts, although humanists sometimes favored this archaic language when writing for scholarly purposes.

Question 19

Gutenberg’s printing press helped spread the views of prominent scholars and writers who were part of the Northern European Renaissance. Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus was the most influential thinker from this region.

Answer 19

He was dismayed by the Church’s elaborate rituals. Instead, he promoted a simple, humane piety that he called the “philosophy of Christ.” His works guided people in how to live moral lives within a corrupt society.

Question 20

Sir Thomas More

Answer 20

Sir Thomas More was a close friend of Erasmus. He was also a major humanist who was part of the Northern Renaissance in England. More published Utopia, a work of fiction, in 1516. Utopia, meaning “nowhere,” was an island where people owned property in common, worked together for the common good, and avoided poverty and warfare by using good reasoning. Utopian eventually came to describe something ideal or perfect, such as the society that More depicted on this island. More’s story criticized the violence, corruption, and injustice that was currently taking place in England and other parts of Europe. He went on to serve as Lord Chancellor, England’s highest official post. He was later beheaded by the orders of Henry VIII for refusing to break away from the Catholic Church.

Question 20

# 1. Erasmus played a major role in the development of Christian humanism during the Renaissance.

Answer 20

Christian humanists used their skills as teachers and writers to reform and inspire Renaissance society.

Question 21

Machiavelli

Answer 21

Niccolò Machiavelli challenged many of the ideas that humanists supported. He had earlier been a student of Roman history and served the city of Florence as a diplomat to foreign courts. Machiavelli used these experiences to create a guide for rulers on how to gain and keep power when he published The Prince in 1513.

Question 22

The Prince in 1513

Answer 22

The Prince did not discuss leadership through the same ideal terms that Plato and other Greek philosophers had once used. Machiavelli took a more realistic approach based on the ruthless power politics that were occurring in Europe during the Renaissance. He wanted rulers to use whatever methods were necessary to achieve their goals. Machiavelli believed that rulers should favor cruelty over love

Question 22

Machiavellian

Answer 22

Critics attacked Machiavelli for the advice he gave. Machiavellian later came to describe the use of deceit in politics. His work continues to be debated because it raised important questions about the role of government and the use of power.

Question 23

Which novel written by Sir Thomas More described an ideal society whose citizens worked together for the common good?

Answer 23

Utopia

Question 24

where was the birthpalce of art int he reannsiase

Answer 24

Florence: Birthplace of the Renaissance Art Movement

Question 25

Florentine Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone, who used the name Masaccio during his professional career, set the early standard for later artists who were part of the Italian Renaissance.

Answer 25

He used perspective, shadows, and light to create the three-dimensional effect to convey his subjects’ personalities. He also mastered the art of fresco, in which paint was applied on walls with wet plaster. This allowed the colors to penetrate the wall.

Question 26

High Renaissance, or the Roman Renaissance

Answer 26

Art historians tend to describe the period from approximately 1490 to 1530 as the High Renaissance, or the Roman Renaissance, since most of these works were completed under the patronage of several popes.

Question 27

Popes such as Julius II and Leo X were jealous of Florence’s success as a center of art. They hired prominent artists, architects, and sculptors to restore Rome as the greatest city in the Christian world. This era was dominated by three talented artists:

Answer 27

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Question 28

Italian Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola was the first woman artist to achieve international recognition.

Answer 28

They informally taught her the basic elements of painting. She was also unable to study human anatomy because that subject was considered to be inappropriate for women Like other major Renaissance artists, Sofonisba also benefited from the patronage system. She was hired by King Philip II of Spain to serve as the court painter. She was also a trusted advisor to the Spanish queen and taught the queen’s daughters art during the 14 years that she worked at the Spanish court. She eventually moved back to Italy and died in 1625 at age 93.

Question 28

Leonardo pioneered the artistic technique known as sfumato, which takes its name from the Italian word for “smoke.”

Answer 28

This is best displayed in the blurred background of Leonardo’s La Gioconda, which is better known today as the Mona Lisa. Wealthy Florentine silk merchant Francesco Giocondo commissioned Leonardo to paint a portrait of his wife Lisa Gherardini. This painting is a prime example of the sfumato technique. The article below shares an image of this famous painting.

Question 28

Sofonisba was best known for her self-portraits and family paintings. Her paintings gave viewers a glimpse of aristocratic daily life. One of her best-known paintings, The Game of Chess

Answer 28

Sofonisba was best known for her self-portraits and family paintings. Her paintings gave viewers a glimpse of aristocratic daily life. One of her best-known paintings, The Game of Chess, depicts her three younger sisters in their fine clothing engaged in a chess game as their servant looks on. The painting is groundbreaking in depicting sixteenth-century women. The sisters are participating in an activity that was part of a man’s world. Chess also required logic and strategic skills, two attributes not associated with women at that time.

Question 29

The Northern European Renaissance began in Flanders, a region that is now part of northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This area was a wealthy center of trade. Renaissance ideals spread from here to Austria, England, France, and Germany during the 1500s. The Northern Renaissance began around 1430 when Flemish artist Jan van Eyck

Answer 29

The Northern Renaissance began around 1430 when Flemish artist Jan van Eyck borrowed Italian artistic techniques related to perspective, Naturalism, and the depiction of realistic human figures. His detailed portrayals of ordinary townspeople as well as religious figures enhanced the newly emerging movement known as Realism. Van Eyck also developed new techniques for using oil paint. These produced stronger colors than those used by Italian painters. This paint was ideal for hard surfaces and survived for centuries.

Question 30

Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait

Answer 30

Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait demonstrates his style of Realism and the use of stronger oil paints to depict wealthy Italian merchant Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife Giovanna in their home in the Flemish city of Bruges. Van Eyck also used illusion to show more of the room through the mirror on the back wall.

Question 31

Protestant Reformation

Answer 31

The beginnings of the Protestant Reformation in the 1520s changed the artistic themes of the Northern Renaissance. Protestant leaders, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, condemned the idealization of the beauty connected to the art of the Roman Catholic Church. Northern European art tended to be more humble than the works from Italy. Art also became more affordable and available to a growing Northern European middle class.

Question 32

Which artist from the proto-Renaissance period is known as the “Father of European painting”?

Answer 32

Giotto

Question 32

Northern European artists emphasized common scenes from everyday life. These addressed the more simplistic morals of the Protestant Reformation. Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel

Answer 32

Pieter Bruegel frequently depicted scenes of peasant life. This earned him the nickname “Peasant Bruegel.” His work influenced German painter and printmaker Albrecht Dürer, who became known as the “German Leonardo.” Dürer also applied the painting techniques he learned in Italy to engraving. Through this process, artists etched designs on metal plates with acid. These plates were then used to make prints of the artwork.

Question 33

English author Daniel Defoe wrote The Storm in 1703.

Answer 33

English author Daniel Defoe wrote The Storm in 1703. This book reports on a devastating hurricane that hit England that year. It is considered to be the first example of modern journalism and advanced scientific knowledge on hurricanes. The Renaissance had concluded almost 100 years before the publication of this book.

Question 33

astrolabe

Answer 33

Sailors also learned to use the astrolabe, an instrument used to measure latitude at sea. This device had first been developed by the ancient Greeks and improved by the Arabs.

Question 34

caravel,

Answer 34

Portuguese sailors developed the caravel, a vessel with both square and triangular sails that was inspired by both European and Arab ships. This new style of ship also borrowed from Chinese technology by using a more sophisticated rudder and greater numbers of masts. These new innovations made it easier for Europeans to sail into the wind and travel longer distances across open water.

Question 35

Tycho Brahe and keepler

Answer 35

Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe established an astronomical observatory, where he accumulated data about the movement of the stars and planets. His assistant Johannes Kepler later used this evidence to calculate the orbits, the curved path of a celestial body, revolving around the sun. Both Brahe and Kepler were able to confirm Copernicus’s heliocentric view of the universe.

Question 36

Galileo Galilei

Answer 36

Italian scientist Galileo Galilei invented an astronomical telescope that allowed him to observe the mountains of Earth’s moon and that Jupiter’s four moons orbited slowly around that planet. The Catholic Church condemned him because his ideas conflicted with Christian teachings that the heavens were created perfect and did not move. He was tried before the Roman Inquisition in 1633 as a heretic. A heretic is a person accused of beliefs or opinions contrary to conventional Church doctrine. As a result, Galileo spent the rest of his life under house arrest. He was forced to declare in court that the Earth stood still at the center of the universe. It was not until 1992 that Pope John Paul II formally acknowledged that the Catholic Church had committed a grave error in condemning Galileo for his belief in the heliocentric theory.