1.1/1.2 - Italian Renaissance 

The Renaissance

Definition and Origins:

• Renaissance means "rebirth."

• It was a European movement that emerged from the rediscovery of the classical texts of Ancient Greece and Rome.

• These classical teachings had largely been forgotten in Europe, partly due to the Black Plague and limited access to the texts.

Impact of the Renaissance:

• The Renaissance marked significant changes in Europe's political, economic, and cultural landscapes.

• However, there was also continuity with the Middle Ages in many aspects, which will be discussed in further detail in subsequent lectures.

Beginnings in Italy:

• The Renaissance began in Italy, primarily among the societal elite.

• One of the key figures of the early Renaissance was Petrarch, often referred to as the "Father of the Renaissance."

Petrarch and Humanism:

• Petrarch lived before 1450 but is credited with laying the intellectual groundwork for the Renaissance.

• He developed a philosophy called Humanism, which emphasized the unlimited potential of human beings.

• Petrarch was also the first major figure to explore classical texts, notably finding inspiration in the writings of the ancient Roman orator Cicero. This inspired the Renaissance focus on eloquence in Latin.

Philology and Lorenzo Valla:

• The emphasis on classical texts led to the development of Philology, the study of the history and development of language, especially Latin.

• Lorenzo Valla became a central figure in philological studies, identifying different stages in the development of Latin.

• Valla's work was significant because it allowed him to demonstrate that some documents, previously believed to be ancient and authoritative, were actually written much later, thus challenging their authority, particularly those related to the Church.

Renaissance Humanists:

• Renaissance thinkers consciously identified as Humanists, following in Petrarch's footsteps.

• An example is Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, who wrote the influential book Oration on the Dignity of Man. In this work, he eloquently discussed the limitless potential of humans.

Secularism and the Renaissance

Humanism and New Philosophies:

• The Renaissance saw a revival of classical texts and the rise of Humanism, a philosophy emphasizing human potential.

• While some Renaissance humanists continued to believe in God, others began to advocate for Secularism and Individualism:

  • Secularism refers to the separation of religious belief from societal and governmental structures.

  • Individualism emphasizes the importance and triumph of the individual over the community.

Spread of Ideas:

• Initially, these new ideas were mostly confined to the elite.

• However, the invention of the printing press in the 1440s significantly accelerated the spread of Renaissance ideas, challenging the traditional power structures of universities and other institutions.

Changes in Education:

• Education became increasingly important during the Renaissance, largely influenced by Humanism.

• Humanism held that human beings had unlimited potential, but this potential could only be realized through education.

• The emphasis on education led to the development of Liberal Studies, which included subjects such as rhetoric, grammar, logic, history, and moral philosophy. These disciplines were believed to shape individuals into virtuous and thoughtful beings.

Civic Humanism

Introduction to Civic Humanism:

• Humanism not only influenced individual thinking but also reshaped how people viewed their roles in society, especially within the public sphere.

• This shift began in the Italian city-states, which were regional kingdoms at the time, not the unified Italy we know today.

Key Concepts of Civic Humanism:

• Civic Humanism emerged as the application of humanistic principles to political and economic life.

• The idea was that the effort invested in cultivating a virtuous and educated mind should extend to serving the state and the community.

Influential Figures and Works:

• Baldassare Castiglione wrote The Courtier, a guide on how an educated young man should behave in courtly society. He emphasized that a gentleman should:

  • Be skilled in humanistic disciplines.

  • Write and speak eloquently.

  • Maintain physical strength.

  • Remain mentally alert.

• Leonardo Bruni in The New Cicero argued that intellectuals had a duty to use their education in service of the state.

• Niccolò Machiavelli, an important figure in Civic Humanism, is best known for his work The Prince.

  • Machiavelli argued that the primary goal of a ruler should be to preserve power at all costs, as this would ensure order and stability.

  • He believed that human beings were inherently self-interested, and a ruler must wield power accordingly.

  • If maintaining power required brutality, so be it; if kindness was necessary, then that was the approach. The ultimate aim was to maintain power, a sharp departure from previous ideals that measured rulers by Biblical virtues.

Art in the Renaissance

Artistic Revival and Humanism:

• The Renaissance marked a significant shift in artistic expression, much like other aspects of the period, influenced by classical revival and humanist ideas.

• While medieval art primarily focused on religious themes rich in symbolism, Renaissance artists expanded their subjects to include personal, political, and classical themes.

Naturalism and Geometric Perspective:

• Renaissance artists emphasized Naturalism, aiming to depict the world realistically rather than relying on symbolic figures and the flatness typical of medieval art.

  • This focus on realism is evident in the frequent portrayal of the human body in its natural state, exemplified by the many depictions of nude figures.

• A new technique called Geometric Perspective was developed to create a realistic sense of depth in paintings.

  • Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper is a prime example, where the lines in the room are designed to create the illusion of depth.

Notable Renaissance Artists:

• Michelangelo:

  • Famous for his sculpture of the biblical figure David, which, while religious in theme, shows a strong humanist influence by depicting David in the idealized form of a Greek god.

• Raphael:

  • His painting The School of Athens is a showcase of classical themes, featuring figures like Plato and Aristotle at the center. The use of geometric perspective in the painting highlights balance and order.

• Filippo Brunelleschi:

  • An influential architect, known for his work on the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence. He rejected the Gothic style of medieval cathedrals, instead opting for Roman-inspired columns and arches.

Patronage of the Arts:

• Most Renaissance artists were supported by wealthy patrons or those in power, with the Medici family being one of the most significant patrons of the time.