...Renaissance Comparison Essay Candyce Kettler Hum/205 Jill Hunt August 29, 2010 We top Italian society's rebirth from the medieval period with the changes that occurred during the Italian Renaissance. Civilization was changing and what we consider the modern world was about to begin. The renaissance doings that happened in Europe outside of Italy is called the Northern European Renaissance. Italy's humanist ideas and values moved out of Italy and throughout Europe, which spurred on the Northern European Renaissance. The Renaissance period began in the early 14th Century and lasted until the late 16th Century. “Renaissance” comes from the French word that means “rebirth.” This time period is named and studied because of its unique art, literature, and music. It is also known as society's modern age. Early in the 14th Century, Italian scholars started to study the ancient cultures that preceded them, like those of Greece and the Roman Empire. This scholarly interest would lead to the Italian Renaissance. Italy and Europe was ready for change after the harrowing destruction of the Black Plague in the Middle Ages. Florence, Italy, was the home of the start of the Renaissance. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, culture, politics, and the arts had only been in decline. Petrarch advocated learning about Italy's Latin and Roman history. The Pope and the royalty liked this idea, so other scholars begun to study in the same vein. These scholars valued the accomplishments...
Words: 917 - Pages: 4
...HIEU 205 June 23, 2014 Italian and Northern Humanism During the age known as the Renaissance, humanism was a thriving force within Europe. Humanism had a profound impact on how man viewed the role of education and intellectualism within society. Renaissance humanism has been defined as simply a curriculum based upon the study of Greco-Roman classics that affected the culture and man’s point of view. Renaissance humanism was ultimately divided into two branches which came to be known as Civic humanism and Christian humanism which defined differences between Italian humanists and Northern humanists. Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472) and Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1536) and their ideals exemplify what separated the two. The contrast between Italian humanism and Northern humanism can be simply stated as one led man away from God, the other drew man closer to God. Education was crucial a factor in the ideals of both Italian and Northern humanists. Classical scholarship was the heart of Italian humanism while Christian scholarship was the chosen education of Northern humanists. The classical Latin language of Cicero was an important part of both scholarship curriculums and both Alberti and Erasmus were fluent in Latin. The differences between scholarships were the exclusion or inclusion of Christian classics. Italian humanists unlike Northern humanists held the idea that the classic Latin language should be the chosen language of the elite. It was a common practice of Alberti...
Words: 2266 - Pages: 10
...Developing Europe into a powerhouse, the Renaissance marked complete cultural transition of Europe out of the Middle Ages and identified a societal change of values and ideas reflected in the art and literature of the time period; the “rebirth” in Southern Europe, however, differed from Northern Europe. As both the North and South had access to newly printed materials courtesy the printing press, they did share commonality of thought- both supplied predominant Christian artistic themes, had an artistic ‘center’, and provided systems of guilds and patrons. The Southern, or Italian, Renaissance began during the 14th century and “inevitably, trade and commerce brought Italian ideas northward, where they influenced the artistic traditions” beginning the 16th century Northern Renaissance (Benton and DiYanni 53). The South focused on a return to the concept of humanism and revival of idealist, classic Greek and Roman values, but the North focused on the common man and daily realities of life. Centered around Florence then later Rome, aided by the patronage of the Medici family in the Early Renaissance and Popes in the High Renaissance, and inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, the Southern Renaissance movement emphasized humans (their capacities, values and worth). Italian artists made the viewer delve into the inner working of the human mind and their subject matter primarily consisted of gods and goddesses displayed with symmetry, balance, and linear perspective. Known for his goddess...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Introduction The Renaissance period covers the 200 years between 1400 and 1600; although exact dates are still argued by many specialists. The word “renaissance” literally means “rebirth” and is the French translation of the Italian “rinascita”. The Renaissance style is primarily composed of a revival of the classical forms developed originally by the ancient Greeks and Romans and of the deepened concern for secular life – interest in humanism and assertion of the importance of the individual. In art history, the Renaissance period corresponds to the start of the great Western age of discovery and exploration. At the time, there was great desire to study all aspects of nature and the world. During the Renaissance, artists became independent personalities. They were no longer considered as mere artisans as they have been in the medieval times. Artists tried to find new solutions to formal and visual problems. Many of them devoted to scientific experimentations. During this time, a lot of mathematical and linear outlooks were developed. This resulted to proportionality and rationality in every aspect of painting and sculpture. Paintings became a window to the natural world and it was the painters’ job to depict this world in their art. Artists at the time dedicated themselves to the rendition of landscape. In addition, artists also developed aerial perspective --- an angle where wherein objects become less distinctive and less sharply colored as the eye moves away. Painters...
Words: 1851 - Pages: 8
...Lovepreet Kaur Mr. Crowe AP European History The Renaissance-1 Textbook: pg. 338 to mid 343 16 January 2014 1. Why did the Renaissance first begin in Italy? The Renaissance first began in Italy because Italy had better resources. Anyone was able to go to Italy in search for a fresh start while bringing new ideas people never questioned. 2. Why was Florence at the heart of the Italian Renaissance? Florence was at the heart of the Italian Renaissance because it was started from Florence, and it was one of the wealthiest cities with significant power. The Medici family helped Florence become a cultural center for meetings or discussions about art. 3. What role did the Medici family play in the Renaissance Florence? The Medici family showed special interests for arts and literature, so they financed numerous art creations and get-togethers for the benefit of Florence. 4. Regarding humanism: -What are the characteristics of humanism? How is it different from medieval scholasticism? from nominalism? The characteristics of humanism include learning, anatomy, realism, reason, nature, youth, individualism, and perspective. Scholasticism was more orientated towards philosophers or theologians and it failed to offer moral guidance, however, humanism was about direct sources such as the bible or Latin/Greek classics. Nominalism is considered to believe that abstract or general terms are real, while humanism prefers human views. -Why is Petrarch considered...
Words: 774 - Pages: 4
...ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARTISTS: • Nicola Pisano (also called Niccolò Pisano, Nicola de Apulia or Nicola Pisanus; c. 1220/1225 – c. 1284) was an Italian sculptor whose work is noted for its classical Roman sculptural style. Pisano is sometimes considered to be the founder of modern sculpture. • Coppo di Marcovaldo (c. 1225 – c. 1276) was an Italian painter active in Tuscany. • Vitale da Bologna (fl 1330, d 1361), also known as Vitale di Almo de' Cavalli or Vitale degli Equi, was an Italian painter, of the Early Renaissance. He is a representant of the 14th century school of painting in Bologna, where he was most active and painted the polyptych in the church of San Salvatore and frescoes in Santa Maria dei Servi. He was also active in Pomposa and Udine. • Giovanni di Agostino (c. 1310 – c. 1370) was an Italian sculptor in Siena in a gothic art style. Most of his work was sculptural commissions of the newly built Gothic Siena Cathedral. He sculpted a monument to Bishop Guido Tarlati in 1330. He also rendered a relief entitledMadonna and Child with Saints Catherine and John the Baptist between 1340 and 1348. • Guariento (fl. 1355), sometimes incorrectly named Guerriero, was the first Paduan painter of distinction. The only date distinctly known in his career is 1355, when, having already acquired high renown in his native city, he was invited by the Venetian authorities to paint a Paradise, and some incidents of the war of Spoleto, in the great council-hall...
Words: 1915 - Pages: 8
...What Were the Characteristics of the Renaissance? In very simple terms, the Italian Renaissance re-established Western art according to the principles of classical Greek art, especially Greek sculpture and painting, which provided much of the basis for the Grand Tour, and which remained unchallenged until Pablo Picasso and Cubism. From the early 14th century, in their search for a new set of artistic values and a response to the courtly International Gothic style, Italian artists and thinkers became inspired by the ideas and forms of ancient Greece and Rome. This was perfectly in tune with their desire to create a universal, even noble, form of art which could express the new and more confident mood of the times. Renaissance Philosophy of Humanism Above all, Renaissance art was driven by the new notion of "Humanism," a philosophy which had been the foundation for many of the achievements (eg. democracy) of pagan ancient Greece. Humanism downplayed religious and secular dogma and instead attached the greatest importance to the dignity and worth of the individual. Effect of Humanism on Art In the visual arts, humanism stood for (1) the emergence of the individual figure, in place of stereotyped, or symbolic figures. (2) Greater realism and consequent attention to detail, as reflected in the development of linear perspective and the increasing realism of human faces and bodies; this new approach helps to explain why classical sculpture was so revered, and why Byzantine art...
Words: 1465 - Pages: 6
...between the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance. Cite examples to illustrate your comparisons. Northern Renaissance took place in areas of Western Europe, north of the Alps. In that time artist were more focused on daily life. Beauty was found in everyday living and simplicity of life. Famous artists from that time like Peter Brugal painted pictures such as “The Peasant Wedding." Picture shows simple life of ordinary people attending weeding. Pictures like this has symbolic meaning and moral aspect. Pieter Bruegel, The Peasant Wedding, oil on panel, 1566-69 On the other side, the Italian Renaissance came much earlier than Northern Renaissance. The Italian Renaissance, had focused more on the wealthy class. Artist paid more attention to details to leave impression of wealthy and powerful people that they try to present. Background of that time give explanation why artists used to present that kind of life. Geographically Italy was very important in Mediterranean and it was one of the biggest centers for business. Therefore, individuals were becoming very wealthy and power of some individuals reached to political circles. The Italian Renaissance focused on religion as well. Popes were very wealthy and almost like kings in another societies. Oftentimes, paintings reflected themes of the Classical times, and some artists nearly copied the forms of ancient Greek statues and artwork. Based on that Greek Roman influence was very important in Italian Renaissance. It showed...
Words: 902 - Pages: 4
...Renaissance and Discovery (pg 317-349) 1) Jacob Burckhardt’s interpretation of the Renaissance in the 14th and 15th century, was that through the revival of ancient learning, new secular and scientific values began to supplant traditional religious beliefs. Some scholars believe that Burckhardt’s description was too modernizing and accused him of overlooking the continuity of the Renaissance and the Middle ages. His critics especially stress the still strongly Christian character of Renaissance humanism. 2) The term of Renaissance in fifteenth and sixteenth- century Italy meant “re-birth” or “revival”. In the 14th century many Italian scholars believed that the arts had been declining in quality for 1,000 years. They admired the art and writing of the Classical Age (400 B.C.-A.D. 400), the time of the Greek and Roman empires. To revive the glory and grandeur of the ancient past, these scholars eagerly studied classical literature, architecture, and sculpture. 3) Renaissance humanism is simply the focusing on the individual and learning. Before the Renaissance, people of Europe focused on the city-states and the knowledge they had attained before not worrying what new knowledge was out there. Then came the Renaissance and brought focus to those things. 4) The Renaissance was a break from the Middle Ages because it brought new ideas and new ways of thinking into society, but without the Middle Ages (medieval civilization), the Renaissance wouldn’t have...
Words: 737 - Pages: 3
...Renaissance Reformation The Italian art produced during the Renaissance era did not show men as they really were, because their art made men look feminine as represented by their hair and their clothing. Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian are of the periods. The base there art of a humans features in their body and their characteristic. What that means is all there art was very vivid, because they love to draw the body of a human naked. To them it was true art, they did not put much detail into each paintings because they were not the Muslims, who drew every signal detail in an art. Men in art looked like females in the form of their face, they believe that men was so handsome that they should have the face of a female fix into the sculptor or painting. Therefore since the Italians were catholic, they to believe in God and his helpers. Francesco Mochi made a sculptor called Bust of a Youth. The Bust of the Youth was a sculptor of St. John. The sculptor was made out of marble on variegated black marble socle. The painting in people eyes looks like a young girl, but instead it was a male angle. St. John was the son of Zebedee, and the brother of St. James the Great, was called to be an Apostle by our Lord....
Words: 629 - Pages: 3
...The Evolution of Women in Comedy: From the Italian Renaissance to Today Since the rejuvenation of comedies during the Italian Renaissance, the roles of women in comedy have changed and fluctuated dramatically along with the roles of women in society. Female characters in comedy have ranged from stock characters with no control, to women who take some control via masquerades, to women with freedom but no personality, and finally to the fully empowered, funny women we watch on screen today. Throughout the centuries these changes in comedy have occurred to allow many women to reach their full comedic potential. Changes in comedy to include funny women are ultimately tied to changes in societal views, and this paper aims to explore the journey it took to empower women in comedy, starting from the return of comedy during the Italian Renaissance. Just as in the Middle Ages, women of the Italian Renaissance were granted neither freedom nor independence. With very little exception, women were controlled by men for their entire lives, first ruled over by their parents during childhood and then sent straight into a marriage arranged by their family to a man they probably did not want to marry (“Women”). This lack of freedom encompassed many areas. Women were expected to be housewives and only housewives. They could not leave the home without a male escort and in fact could not even own a home. Women who did not marry were forced to live with a male relative or live in a convent and become...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in the Republic of Florence, which is known nowadays as Italy. He was a sculptor, engineer, mathematician, writer, architect, and much more. However, he is best renowned as a painter. Some of his notable art works are: the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Thanks to his famous art pieces, he can best be described as the archetype of the “Renaissance Man”. His curiosity was able to match his power of inventions. As an engineer, he formed the concepts of a helicopter, tank, calculator, and solar powered machines, even though all of these were ahead of his time. His wisdom was marked as an essential piece in the wake of the Italian Renaissance. The word Renaissance in Italian means “rebirth” and that...
Words: 695 - Pages: 3
...Europe during the turn of the 14th century. The Renaissance as we call this movement changed the society and culture of Europe. The replacement of medieval ideas with the birth of modern principles changed the whole landscape of Europe and even the world as these ideas would gradually spread to other parts of the globe. It was particularly the Italian Renaissance which instigated these changes. It was when handful of humanists sparked off of what would be the one of the most remarkable revolutions. The Catholic Church started to shift away from being the center of the universe and began to be replaced by ideals such as secularism and individualism; a concept unheard of over the last 1000 years. This Renaissance movement were fueled by the people of Florence more so than any other nation. It was Florence which was the center of Renaissance and where it started off. With the discovery of ancient Roman and Greek manuscripts and art, the prosperous city of Florence soon became a mecca of culture and great achievements. It was in early stages of the Renaissance when the son of a goldsmith, Sandro Botticelli created his most famous works; Primavera and The Birth of Venus. After his death, Botticelli’s masterpieces and his artworks’ importance were obscured and underestimated for nearly 400 years before scholars grasped the importance of his work; primarily Primavera and The Birth of Venus and how it played a vital role in the Renaissance movement. Sandro Botticelli in the courts of the...
Words: 1035 - Pages: 5
...Why did the Renaissance first begin in Italy? The Renaissance first began in Italy because Italy had better resources. Anyone was able to go to Italy in search for a fresh start while bringing new ideas people never questioned. 2. Why was Florence at the heart of the Italian Renaissance? Florence was at the heart of the Italian Renaissance because it was started from Florence, and it was one of the wealthiest cities with significant power. The Medici family helped Florence become a cultural center for meetings or discussions about art. 3. What role did the Medici family play in the Renaissance Florence? The Medici family showed special interests for arts and literature, so they financed numerous art creations and get-togethers for the benefit of Florence. 4. Regarding humanism: -What are the characteristics of humanism? How is it different from medieval scholasticism? from nominalism? The characteristics of humanism include learning, anatomy, realism, reason, nature, youth, individualism, and perspective. Scholasticism was more orientated towards philosophers or theologians and it failed to offer moral guidance, however, humanism was about direct sources such as the bible or Latin/Greek classics. Nominalism is considered to believe that abstract or general terms are real, while humanism prefers human views. -Why is Petrarch considered to be the "Father of Humanism"? Petrarch is considered to be the father of humanism because he managed to put classical...
Words: 280 - Pages: 2
...abdelrahman________ Date: ___26/2/2011____________ The Northern Renaissance The Northern Renaissance Begins 1. What changes were occurring in northern Europe around 1450 which helped the Renaissance begin? The population of northern Europe which has been shattered by the bubonic plague, the destructive hundred year war between France and England cities grow rapidly, urban merchants became wealthy to sponsor artists. 2. How was the focus of the Northern Renaissance different from the focus of the Southern Renaissance? Northern renaissance was focus on religious ideas than secular themes popular in Italy, the renaissance idea of human dignity inspired some northern humanists to develop plans for social reform based on Christian values.. Artistic Ideas Spread 1. How did the war in Italy spread the Renaissance? As the war dragged on many Italian artists and writers left to a more safer life in northern Europe, with them they brought the styles and techniques of the renaissance, I addition artists who studied in Italy also carried renaissance ideas north. 2. How was the development and spread of oil painting different from many other Renaissance developments? Oil paint does not dry quickly and it can be blended more easily than other paints by applying layer upon layer of paint, oil painting became popular and spread to Italy and was influenced by many artists n the renaissance. 3. Flanders was the artistic center of northern Europe. Northern Writers...
Words: 516 - Pages: 3
