The Beginning of the Renaissance
Historians trace the start of the Renaissance to Italy in 1350 A.D. (C.E.). Over time, this artistic and intellectual movement spread to the rest of Europe. In this interactivity, you will discover the factors that made Italy a prime location for the birth of this movement. Click the player button to begin.
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Humanism
The rising interest in Greco-Roman achievements led to Renaissance humanism, an intellectual movement that encouraged studying classical texts as a means of helping one reach his or her potential and achieve greatness. Humanists promoted the study of grammar, rhetoric, poetry, and history, which were all based on Greek and Roman texts. Humanists celebrated the individual, and suggested that a person might enjoy life by indulging in material luxuries, fine music, and delicious food. While the Middle Ages focused on religion, Renaissance humanists were more secular, meaning they were more worldly and concerned with the here and now.
Literature During the Renaissance
Writers and poets during the Renaissance based their works on ideas set forth by ancient Greek and Roman cultures. In addition, their writing was humanist in nature, and covered mostly secular topics. Take a moment to learn about three of the major Renaissance writers by reading the captions below.
| Francesco Petrarch is considered the Father of Humanism. He developed the Italian sonnet, and wrote poems and prose about classical virtues in the Italian vernacular and Latin. Many of his works addressed his love for a woman named Laura. | In his book, The Courtier, Baldassare Castiglione described what he thought made someone a "Renaissance man." These ideas included speaking in ancient languages, being clever, and maintaining physical excellence. | Dante wrote The Divine Comedy in the common language of the day. This epic poem featured a trip through the afterlife to discuss politics and human behavior. |
Artistic Expression
Renaissance values were reflected in the arts. Wealthy Italians became "patrons of the arts," and spent lavishly on paintings and sculptures. While wealthy merchants, like the Medici family, were more interested in demonstrating their importance by filling their homes with self-portraits, wealthy religious officials spent lavishly to beautify their churches. As art rose in prominence, new artistic styles emerged. Renaissance painters, for example, became skilled at the technique of perspective. Using perspective, artists could paint scenes that appeared three-dimensional, and thus more realistic. New artistic themes emerged in Renaissance art as well. While Medieval artists only focused on using religious subjects to convey a spiritual ideal, Renaissance artists also often portrayed religious subjects, but used a realistic style copied from classical models.
Several artists' and intellectuals' works epitomized artistic expression during the Renaissance. In this interactivity, you will examine some important pieces of art, and have the opportunity to compare various ways artists expressed themselves during the time period. Click the player button to begin.
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Now that you have learned about the Italian Renaissance, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player button to get started.