Part III

The renaissance

The renaissance

Historical Background

Welcome to “History through Art”. Today we'll be looking at the history, art and culture of the Renaissance, a period that began about 1450 in Italy, and was characterized by a marked increase in wealth, leisure time, and an interest in learning. This increase, in turn, led to advances in technology, which resulted in an intellectual and artistic explosion. The word Renaissance means rebirth and is an accurate term to describe this period because it began as a revival of interest in the humanist philosophy and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome. The revival started during the late Middle Ages when the wealthy Medici family assumed its lengthy rule of Florence, Italy, and of other important political and religious centers in Europe. Soon this renewed interest in learning grew to include other fields; such as science, history, education, political science and art - and in this expansion the Renaissance was born!

The excitement and energy of the Renaissance could not be contained in Italy. It traveled by land and sea from Italy's great trade cities to other parts of Europe and the world beyond. The printing press, invented in 1450, facilitated this movement of ideas. The accumulation and recording of knowledge was further encouraged as many new colleges and universities were founded throughout Europe. New theories about the world were tested as explorers, such as Columbus, embarked on daring journeys. These explorers lived to the Renaissance philosophy - originally derived from the Greeks - that human beings are capable of doing anything they can imagine. No longer did they hold the Middle Ages belief that life was worthless until heaven. Life was here and now!

The imaginations of Renaissance architects were influenced by the classical styles of Ancient Rome. They reintroduced the semicircular arch in buildings and churches, such as St. Peter's in Rome. This Romanesque style regained popularity over the Gothic-style pointed arches, as seen here at Notre Dame that had originated in the Middle Ages.

The concept of the artist changed along with everything else. Artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo helped all artists to move from their status of anonymous craftsmen to that of respected, educated people. In keeping with this change, the education of artists moved from the workshop to the academy. Just as the ordinary person began to be seen with new appreciation, so too did Renaissance artists formulate new theories about beauty and even develop a science of drawing in perspective. As a consequence of the enormous appeal of these new classic-based ideas, Italian artists and architects were in great demand all over Europe. As the ideas were carried to other countries, many of them took on local character. And as you will see, many Renaissance ideas - especially those that celebrate the worth and beauty of human beings - still flourish in today's Western culture.