Chapter 17-Renaissance and Reformation Era Flashcards
Humanism
intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements. Studies classical texts to understand Ancient Greek values. Influenced artists and architects to carry on classical tradition. Popularized study of subjects like history, literature, and philosophy, which were common to classical education.
secular
worldly instead of spiritual and concerned with the here and now. They believed in God, but still lived their lives (enjoyed life without offending God).
patrons
People such as church leaders, merchants, and wealthy families who spent large amounts of money for the funding of art and to financially support artists in order to beautify cities.
Renaissance Man
Man who excelled in many different fields. Also known as “universal man” or “the jack of all trades.”
Renaissance Woman
Expected to know the classics and be charming too, however not seek fame. Should inspire art but rarely create it. Better educated than medieval woman, however most Renaissance woman had little influence in politics.
Perspective
Technique used by Renaissance artists that was copied from classical models. Realistic way of painting which shows three dimensions on a flat surface. As parallel lines stretch away from a viewer, they seem to draw together, until they meet at a spot on the horizon line called the vanishing point. The use of perspective continued in western art for the next 459 years.
vernacular
native language
utopia
In Greek it means “no place”. However, in English it refers to the imaginary land, depicted in Thomas More’s book “Utopia.” In this land, there is no corruption, war, or greed. Also, due to lack of greed, there is little need for money.
The Elizabethan Age
In the mid-1500s, the Renaissance spread to England. The period was known as the Elizabethan Age after the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st from 1558-1603. She was well educated and spoke French, Italian, Latin, and Greek. Wrote poetry and music. Did much to support the development of English art and literature as queen.
indulgence
A pardon. It released a sinner from performing the penalty that a priest imposed for sins. We’re not supposed to affect God’s right to judge. Unfortunately, people didn’t understand this and believed that buying indulgences, is the equivalent to buying their way into heaven.
reformation
A movement for religious reform. It led to the founding of Christian churches that didn’t accept the popes authority.
Martin Luther
His parents wanted him to be a lawyer, but he became a monk and a teacher instead. Taught scripture at the University of Wittenberg in the German state of Saxony. He wanted to be a good Christian, but ended up leading a religious revolution. He opposed Tetzel’s tactics and wrote 95 theses [or formal statements] attacking the “pardon-merchants” he posted these on the door of the castle church and invited other scholars to debate him. Someone copied his words and printed them. He became known all over Germany, and he began the Reformation. Eventually created a separate religious group called the Lutherans.
Pope Leo X
Issued a decree threatening Luther with excommunication unless he took back his statements.Luther refused and instead, his students at Wittenberg gathered at a bonfire and cheered as he threw the poles decree into a fire. Leo then excommunicated Luther.
Protestant
Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches.
Peace of Augsburg
a religious settlement in which Charles V, in 1555 ordered all German princes, both Protestant and Catholic, to meet in the city of Augsburg. There the group agreed that each ruler would decide the religion of his state.
