The Italian Renaissance

Italian Renaissance

• The period started from the early 1300s and ended around 1600
• Renaissance means rebirth
• New ideas and the new way of life were spread through Europe in different ways and during different time periods

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Humanism

• Humanism was a philosophy that all people should strive to be educated and learned in the classical arts, literature, and science.
• The importance of Education
• Education Centered around the study of Greek and Roman classics.
• Focus on Man - Understand human nature rather than only to understand God.

Why did the Renaissance start in Italy?

Marco Polo

• Marco Polo - While in China he influenced the great Kublai Khan
• After he returned to Venice, Marco wrote a book about his adventures in Asia. It was read by many people.
• European mapmaking was influenced by the knowledge of Asia brought back by Marco Polo
• People rediscovered the importance of education

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The Rise of City States

• Italian city-states became rich from trade:
• Florence
• Venice
• Genoa
• They were trading centers for the distribution of goods to northern Europe.
• Independent city-states governed as republics by wealthy merchants.

City States

• The people believed in taking a part in government and public life (Like the Greeks)
• There were constitutions and elected officials
• The merchants who were rich, often controlled the city states
• These political leaders invested in arts and education to make a profit
• Their money helped to drive the arts and the start of the Renaissance

The Medici Family

• The Medici family of Florence become wealthy from banking, wool manufacturing, mining, trade and other ventures.
• The Medici used their money and power to control all aspects if Florence:
• Politically
• Socially
• Financially
• The Medici family will rule Florence and Tuscany from 1430 to 1737

Gaining Control

• This city of Florence came under the political rule of the Medici Family
• Florence was run by an Eight-man council
• The Medici’s held no political offices but used their wealth to influence government – becoming the de facto rulers of the city.
• Made sure the eight-man council of Florence was loyal and made decisions based on the Medici’s
• The Medici’s Ruled behind the scenes

Medici’s Control Florence

• Dominated politics through financial influence and patron-client relationships.
• Carefully placed supporters in government positions.
• Controlled key decisions behind the scenes, influencing law, policy, and leadership.
• The Medici Produced four popes: Leo X, Clement VII, Pius IV, and Leo XI.

The Medici Family

• The Medici family became patrons of the arts.
• They used their own money to invest in the beautification of the Florence
• Medici patronage had a huge impact on the Renaissance, allowing artists to focus on their work without having to worry about money.

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Art and Patronage

• Wealthy Italians were willing to spend a lot of money on art.
• Art communicated social, political, and spiritual values.
• Italian banking & international trade interests had the money.
• Public art in Florence was organized and supported by guilds.

Therefore, the consumption of art was used as a form of competition for social & political status!

For instance, a person would pay for art to show how wealthy and powerful they were.

Spirit of Competition

• A spirit of competition developed between the rich merchants who often competed with each other to see who could commission the grandest buildings and the finest works of art.
• Competition among the wealthy helped Florence enter the Renaissance.

The Importance of Education

• Education was valued by the merchants who wanted to see their sons read, write, and do arithmetic
• These skills and the need to understand law made successful businessmen
• The study of Greek and Roman literature promoted beauty
• People were tired of the hard life from the middle ages and wanted to appreciate nature and life the way the Greek and Romans did
• The individual was once again important

A New Kind of Art

• Patrons wanted to own original art and requested new kinds of art
• They wanted art which showed joy in humans and in nature
• Books, Poems, Paintings, Sculptures, and Music
• They art showed emotions and perspective