A: Renaissance Europe 3. The Humanist Approach p.58 Flashcards
Humanist
A person who adopts a system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities and worth; concern the interest, needs, and welfare of humans
They looked back to the ancient classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, studied their writings and art and applied classical ideas in their own lives and work.
Humanism was spread through the wealthy people of society.
Humanists believed that:
- human beings can use the power of reason, that is, thinking, to find truth for themselves
- It is important for a person to have an open, curious, and questioning mind
- People can achieve great things through learning
- Individuals should be skilled in many different areas (mind, body, and spirit)
- they wanted to make ancient works available to the widest possible readership
- people should read good books, and look at great works of art
- many humanists were dedicated teachers who ran their own schools “educating the whole child”
Why did humanists put so much emphasis on education?
They believed it was important to train people’s characters as well as their minds
Scholar
A humanist thinker
Civic
Civic humanist
Relating to citizenship or civic affairs
A civic humanist would believe that being a responsible citizen meant educating yourself about history and political issues and working to improve society
What did civic humanists believe?
Civic humanists believed that being responsible citizen meant educating yourself about history and political issues and working to improve society.
Who was Francesco Petrarch?
- humanist thinker
- early Renaissance
- believed in Classical past
- did not like the medieval world which he called the dark age
“our own age has always repelled me… In order to forget my own time, I have constantly striven to place myself in spirit in other ages, and consequently I delighted in history”
Classical
Ancient Greek or Latin literature art or culture
Latin is the language of the Romans and was the language of scholars and the church.
Who developed the Olympic Games?
The Greeks
Who developed the jury system?
The Greeks
Renaissance worldview was a result of intercultural contact with earlier civilizations. Which civilizations were these?
- Classical civilization: Greek and Roman
- Islamic civilization: that preserved classical civilization and further developed it especially in sciences, math, and medicine with influence from India and the Far East
What are some remarkable ruins of the Roman civilization?
- Colosseum in Rome where gladiators sometimes fought to the death
- Aqueducts that even today carry water great distances into the cities
- Roads that once allowed travel throughout the Roman Empire
Colloseum
A large theatre or stadium
Aqueduct
A channel used to move water, usually supported on a bridge structure when it had to cross a valley
Philosopher
One who studies the truth and principles underlying human conduct and knowledge and the nature of the universe
They taught people how they could improve themselves and their society through their own efforts
Democracy
A form of government in which people elect representatives to rule a country
Named after the Greek system of participatory government
What is civic humanism?
Public service was the duty of everyone in soviety
Rhetoric
The art of making speeches
Patrons
A person who pays artist to create works of art
They played an important role during the Renaissance.
Artists made works to decorate private homes or to display in public places.
Petroglyphs
Art that is carved into a rock.
Ojibwa artist Norval Morrisseau uses images from these rocks now since the rocks were an excellent medium to preserve art over a long period of time.
Pictographs
Drawings or paintings on a rock wall (drawn on rather than carved into)
Pieta
A sculpture that represents the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of Jesus
Facade
The face of a building
Vernacular
The language commonly spoken by the people who live in that region (such as Italian, French, and English)
The vernacular became more common in books or texts throughout the Renaissance.
Why did historic books become more accessible?
Because they were written in the vernacular of the nation
Who created the David?
Michaelangelo
What does the David represent?
It represents that they the people can overcome the government
What did the educated people of the Renaissance think of ancient works?
Thy admired the elegant writing styles
How was humanism connected with religion?
To develop ones talents was to serve God because God provided you with those talents
What were the four things humanists believed?
- Human beings can use the power of reason to find truth for themselves
- It is important for a person to have an open, curious, questioning mind
- People can achieve great things through learning
- Individuals should be skilled in many different areas
How was religion affected during the Renaissance time?
Because humanism encouraged open questioning minds people didn’t need the church to tell them everything
What kind of themes of art was there in the Middle Ages and Renaissance?
Religious themes and landscapes
What are the elements Renaissance artists used to paint?
Natural world Light and shadow Texture and pattern Realistic details Elegance
What were artists seen as before they became popular?
They went from skilled labourer to artist
Why did people begin to sign their work?
To take credit for their masterpieces
Who was Christian de Pisan?
She was the first professional European writer
