Chapter 7 - The Renaissance

Question 1

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

Answer 1

1. City of Rome had buildings + ruins (e.g. Forum, Colosseum) to remind citizens of former glory, these inspired artists + architects to rebuild their city as it was in the past
2. In 1453 Turks captured city of Constantinople from the Greeks - Greeks scholars fled the city + settled in Italy, bringing many ancient manuscripts + reviving interest in ancient Greek culture
3. Italy was v. rich place at time - made up of number of wealthy independent city states e.g. Venice, Florence + Milan (ruled by princes/rich merchants who earned fortune from banking + trade)
   - paid money to artists + architects for beautiful works of art –> called patrons, artists sponsored by patrons could afford to practice skills full time rather than as pastime
4. Medici Family from Florence (n. Italy) were most powerful patrons of Renaissance - Lorenzo was greatest patron of all, encouraged + paid artists to work in his city
   - sponsored many works by great artists of day, including Leo + Michel
5. During Middle Ages, Italy became crossroads of world (main trading centre for Europe) - spices + silks from India + China brought into its wealthy ports, place where people from many cultures met + where new ideas + attitudes to world developed

Question 2

Describe the type of architecture done during the Renaissance, and give an example

Answer 2

1. Architects such as the Italian Andrea Palladio designed buildings with large pillars, rounded arches, domed roofs + large front porches (porticoes) with triangle shape on top
2. Same style used in Ancient Greece + Rome, called classical architecture - since the Renaissance many buildings throughout world have been designed in classical style
3. One of first + finest examples of this style during the Renaissance designed for some of cathedral in Florence by architect Filippo Brunelleschi
4. He studied maths + examined ancient Roman buildings to be,p discover secret behind building of arches + domes
5. Used corbelling technique to build dome by placing each layer slightly sticking out from one below until meets top

Question 3

Give the three main new developments in art during the Renaissance

Answer 3

It differed greatly to that of medieval times

1. Before the Renaissance, paintings of people didn’t look v. lifelike; important people painted as larger + less smaller
2. Medieval paintings also show lack of feeling - most of the characters in the paintings look similar, they lack background, + they look flat
   - more care taken with background of Renaissance paintings, often include scenes from nature
3. Renaissance paintings look more real + concentrate of peoples’ feelings
   - many Renaissance artists + sculptors studied human body so could draw it in more realistic fashion, some even dissected corpses to give greater understanding of how body works

Question 4

Describe the new artistic techniques developed + used during the Renaissance

Answer 4

1. Before Renaissance, artists mixed paint with egg yolk to make it bind - but this caused the paint to dry quickly, giving the artist less time to work
   - in middle of 15th century, artists began to add linseed oil instead of egg yolk (oil dries slowly, had more time to work on pictures + could even correct mistakes before paint dried)
2. Renaissance painters managed to avoid flat look of medieval paintings by using perspective - stuff at front of picture painted larger, stuff to back painted smaller; have the illusion of space + distance
3. Use of a technique called sfumato (smoky) made paintings of faces more lifelike by adding some shading to colour of skin
4. Renaissance artists used fresco painting to decorate walls + ceilings (involved painting onto wet plaster so colours absorbed into wall)
   - artist had to work fast bc plaster dries quickly - to lessen chances of mistake, first drew sketches called cartoons on paper of picture they intended to paint on wall

Question 5

Who were the three greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance?

Answer 5

1. Leonardo da Vinci
2. Michelangelo
3. Raphael

Question 6

What is Leonardo da Vinci generally seen as? Why?

Answer 6

1. The perfect example of a ‘Renaissance man’
2. This was because he was an all rounder and showed interest in every aspect of life
3. Was a great artist, inventor, architect, musician, botanist, mathematician + sportsman

Question 7

Give a brief account of da Vinci’s life up to the end of his apprenticeship

Answer 7

1. Born near Florence in 1452, attended school from 5-12 but found it unchallenging + spent most of time drawing sketches
2. Quality of sketches convinced father he should be some full-time artist, showed sketches to Andrea del Verocchio (well know artist in Florence)
3. Agreed to take 12-year-old Leo as one of apprentices
4. Verocchio was also gifted sculptor + goldsmith, had great influence on young Leo - was he who insisted Leo study anatomy so he could paint portraits + sculpt in more realistic way
5. Leo helped Verocchio paint’The Baptism of Christ’ - painted angel at font + landscape in background
6. Difference between style + quality of work soon recognised, leading to offers for Leo to paint on own
7. In June 1472 he was accepted as member of painter’s guild in Florence - apprenticeship over, now free to work for anyone he chose

Question 8

Give an account of ‘the Milan years’ of da Vinci’s life

Answer 8

1. From 1482-99 Leo moved to Milan to work for new patron, Duke Ludovico Sforza- most productive years in his artistic career
2. Duke gave Leo free reign to work on any project he chose, had so many ideas he often planned + drew sketches for great works of art only to leave unfinished as he moved on to next project
3. Only 17 of paintings survive, among great works of art during this period are ‘The Virgin on the Rocks’ (1494) + ‘The Last Supper’ (1498), which is painted on wall in dining room in monastery in Milan

Question 9

Describe the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci

Answer 9

1. Was brilliant inventor, drew many sketches of machines during time in Milan, including helicopter, hand glider + parachute (fascinated by ability of birds to fly)
2. Also acted as military engineer for Duke Sforza - accordingly, many of drawings were plans for things like machine guns, armoured tank + cannon that fired mortar bombs
3. Throughout lifetime kept notebooks secret - used mirror writing in diaries (may have been bc left handed, may have been to prevent ideas being copied - was aware people were suspicious of scientific explanations, especially the church, + this could place him in danger)
4. Continued with interest in anatomy during time in Milan, dissected 30+ bodies of men + women of different ages throughout working life
5. Drew images of lung, heart, brain + various muscles; had discovered heart included number of valves but was unaware that it acted as pump for circulation of blood throughout body

Question 10

Briefly describe the most famous portrait painted by da Vinci

Answer 10

The Mona Lisa

1. In 1499 Leo moved back to Florence, it was here he painted most famous painting
2. Believed to be painting of wife of wealthy silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo, + that painting was commissioned to celebrate birth of second child
3. Famous because of use of sfumato + strange smile; also seems to b elooking at you from all angles

Question 11

Describe the last years of da Vinci + the results of his existence

Answer 11

1. From 1513-16 moved to Rome where hoped to work for Pope - but was disappointed to discover two of rivals, Michelangelo + Raphael were already working in Vatican + there was no great demand for services
2. In 1516 he accepted an invitation from King Francis I of France to come + live in royal palace at Chateau Amboise - lived there until death in 1519
3. Took 3 paintings, including ‘Mona Lisa’ with him (Louvre today)
4. Throughout life raised many questions for which he sought answers, e.g. he discovered age of tree can be told from rings
5. Left behind 120 notebooks with over 7000 pages of notes + diagrams, but most of plans weren’t/couldn’t be invented during his lifetime
6. However, many subsequent inventions + teachings bases to certain extent on some of designs + theories, + he’s therefore considered ‘man before his time’

Question 12

Give an account of the life of Michelangelo

Answer 12

1475-1564

1. Painter, sculptor, architect + poet; regarded as another genius of Renaissance period
2. Grew up in Florence where worked for his patron, Lorenzo de Medici - lived in Medici palace where was treated as one of family until death of Lorenzo in 1492
3. Trained as painter + sculptor, but preferred sculpting
4. Moved to Rome, produced the Pietà (pity, famous sculpture), statue of dead Christ in lap of Mary (white marble, in St. Peter’s Basilica today)
5. Returned to Florence in 1501, sculpted giant statue David from single block of white marble - shows muscles, looks lifelike, demonstrates that Michelangelo had also studied anatomy
6. Return to Rome in 1505 at request of Pope Julius II who commissioned him to paint roof of Sistine Chapel in Vatican - at first not keen bc hadn’t painted many frescoes before
7. Took 4 years to finish (painted by lying on back on scaffolding) - started in centre of ceiling where painted God creating Adam, then covered rest with scenes from bible telling story of creation of world
8. Preferred to work on own, refused to let anyone other than Pope view work before completed
9. Also painted large fresco, ‘The Last Judgement’, on wall behind altar of Sistine Chapel
10. Work in Sistine chapel attracts millions of tourists annually, ranks as one of greatest artists of all time like da Vinci

Question 13

Give a brief description of Raphael and some of the work he did

Answer 13

1483-1520

1. As apprentice in Florence, studied painting under Leo + Michelangelo
2. In 1508, invited by Pope Julius II to Rome where he painted fresco ‘The School of Athens’, which shows Ancient Greek philosophers Plato + Aristotle debating in centre
3. This fresco renowned for use of perspective (decreasing size of archways in background)
4. Also famous for many Madonna paintings (Mary with infant) - were in great demand, made him rich + famous
5. Great rivalry between Raphael + Michel (worked in Vatican at same time)

Question 14

Briefly describe the Renaissance outside of Italy (art). Name some famous artists and their works

Answer 14

1. Outside of Italy, Netherlands became centre of art
2. Jan Van Eyck was one of first great artists of Northern European Renaissance
3. Use of perspective wasn’t as good as that of Italian Renaissance artists, but detail in paintings made them stand out
4. One of first to use oil rather than egg yolk to bind paint
5. Precise detail in work can be seen in painting ‘The Arnolfini Marriage’ (1434)
6. Albrecht Dürer was greatest German Renaissance artists
7. Born in Nuremberg, became well known for painting + engravings (loved nature)

Question 15

Name an artist from outside Italy. Describe his early life, influences + what made him stand out

Answer 15

1. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69) was the greatest of Dutch painters
2. Born in university town of Leiden, lived there with family until 25
3. Father was miller who had ambitions son would follow professional career, but Rembrandt left Leiden uni to take up painting career
4. Influenced by work of Caravaggio (1573-1610), an Italian painter
5. Rembrandt’s works are striking bc of use of rich colours + way he includes light + shade in paintings

Question 16

Where did Rembrandt move and when? Give a brief account of his life after this point

Answer 16

1. Moved to Amsterdam in 1631 to work as portrait painter
2. Lived in Jewish quarter where most of patrons resided
3. Here became leading portrait painter in Holland, made lot of money out of commissions from wealthy merchants + for paintings of religious subjects
4. Wife acted as model for many of paintings, following her death he concentrated on sketching own portrait (painted estimate of 60 self-portraits in life - shows changing fortunes)
5. Towards end of life show tired old man, full of sorrow (reflects major setbacks he suffered)
6. 3 of kids died soon after birth, wife died in 1642 shortly after birth of only son to survive into adulthood

Question 17

Name three of Rembrandt’s most famous works

Answer 17

1. St Paul in Prison (1627)
2. The Anatomy Lesson (1632
3. The Night Watch (1642)

Question 18

Name and describe the best known work of Rembrandt, as well as the controversy surrounding it

Answer 18

1. The Night Watch (1642)
2. Shows group of city guardsmen preparing to go to work - little girl in centre probably acted as mascot for guardsmen
3. Rather than painting them in line, Rembrandt decided to add more action to painting by showing them readying themselves as they prepare to go on duty
4. This caused row among guardsmen, especially those who were less visible in background - payment delayed as a result
5. Further controversy when part of canvas had to be cut off in 1715 so it could fit on wall in Amsterdam’s town hall - 3 people disappeared from left as result
6. Famous for contrasting use of light + darkness - if you look closely you’ll notice the shadows of the hands of one of the captains in foreground is reflected on lieutenant’s jacket

Question 19

Describe the development of printing + literature during the Renaissance

Answer 19

1. Invention of modern printing press was one of greatest advancements during Renaissance - allowed spread of ideas (books had to be copied by hand before)
2. Printing first carried out using block print (involved covering block of wood with letters carved on it in ink + pressing onto paper)
3. This was cumbersome, took long time as new block of print had to be carved for each page of book
4. All changed in 1459 when Johann Gutenberg (German goldsmith + metal worker) developed method known as moveable type
5. Individual letters made separately from metal, them placed in special frame to hold words together
6. Gutenberg built printing press which he designed from presses used to crush grapes for wine
7. Once page was printed metal letters could be removed + reset to print the next page
8. Workshop could print around 300 sheets a day
9. In 1455, painted first complete book (edition of Bible, contained over 1,200 pages in 2 volumes)
10. At first, German printers used thick gothic style type (resembled style of writing in old manuscripts)
11. Later Italian printers cast smaller type of print called italic - allowed printer to place more words per page, books became smaller + cheaper as result

Question 20

Describe Renaissance writers, name some famous ones and describe what they wrote/wrote about

Answer 20

1. Development of printing press made it possible for writers to reach much larger audience
2. Like artists, Renaissance writers showed great interest in lives of people –> humanism
3. Great humanist writers of Renaissance period include Thomas Moore + Erasmus
4. In 1516, Thomas Moore published Utopia (most famous book) - tells of imaginary life where everything is perfect (no wars, everything owned by community for common good, no police or prison)
5. Erasmus (Dutch) was friend of Thomas, was Augustinian priests but spent most of time criticising corruption within Catholic Church
6. Hoped that his writings could convince leaders of Catholic Church to live better lives

Question 21

What was a massive change in how riders wrote during the Renaissance?

Answer 21

1. Before the Renaissance most European writers wrote in Latin (the language of the Church + the educated)
2. However, during Renaissance writers increasingly began to use vernacular language (the common language of the people in a particular country)

Question 22

Name a famous vernacular writer of the Renaissance, describe his career and some of his works

Answer 22

1. William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
2. Born in Stratford-on-Avon, married Anne Hathaway at 18 (daughter of local, wealthy landowner)
3. Moved to London soon after to become an actor (successful actors also encouraged to write own plays at this time)
4. At first rewrote old plays by adding extra scenes/changing lines to bring them up to date
5. Gradually began to write own plays from scratch - was most famous playwright in England by 1595
6. Plays appealed to all classes: included heroes, villains, likeable rogues + historic figures
7. Wrote 37 plays in all (comedies like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing; tragedies like King Lear, Romeo + Juliet, Macbeth; plays based on English history like Henry V + Richard III)
8. Also famous for writing sonnets (short love poems)
9. Plays + poems made him rich, retired to Stratford in 1910 following 20 successful years working in London
10. Died in home town in 1616, buried in local church
11. Plays have stood test of time, remain popular today

Question 23

What did Shakespeare open? Describe what going to such a place was like

Answer 23

1. Opened own theatre called the Globe: round wooden building with open air stage in middle
2. Could hold up to 2,000 people
3. Most bought tickets for standing area in front of stage; seats in covered gallery cost a little more, while royals + nobles could hire put more comfortable private box overlooking stage
4. Standard of acting had to be v. good as little scenery onstage
5. Visit to theatre could be quite rowdy; common for audience to heckle actors
6. If play considered boring, rotten apples often thrown at actors
7. On occasion, scuffles broke out between members of audience while play in progress

Question 24

Give an account of the medical and scientific advances during the Renaissance

Answer 24

1. During medieval period, illness + disease treated using mixture of traditional knowledge, trial + error, + prayer
2. Doctors believed many illnesses could be cured by bloodletting (sometimes carried out by local barber: hence red + white sticks outside barbers)
3. Sometimes doctors used leeches to suck blood from patients as way of improving health
4. In 16th century, revolution in anatomy took place (largely due to artists like Leo + Michelangelo, as well as doctors, beginning to dissect bodies
5. Before this, human dissection was restricted + usually done in secret due to objections from Church (believed cutting up of bodies was disrespectful to God)
6. This attitude gradually changed, human dissection became part of doctors training
7. Andreas Vesalius (1514-64) was one of most famous Renaissance doctors - published his major work in 1543: On the Fabric of the Human Body - based on knowledge from dissecting bodies
8. William Harvey (1578-1657), English doctor, discovered heart was like pump + main function was to send blood throughout body

Question 25

Give an account of the discoveries made in astronomy and their results during the Renaissance PART 1

Answer 25

1. Since 2nd century, people taught that sun etc. revolved around earth (based on teachings of Greek philosopher Ptolemy)
2. Church accepted beliefs of Ptolemy, claimed they showed god created universe for benefit of human beings (by placing earth in centre of universe)
3. In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), a Polish astronomer + mathematician questioned these views, claimed Sun was at centre of universe (feared church so kept secret + published on deathbed)

Question 26

Give an account of the discoveries made in astronomy and their results during the Renaissance PART 2

Answer 26

1. Galileo (1564-1642), astronomer + physicist, was born in Pisa, Italy - challenged many scientific theories of time, took pleasure in proving them wrong (sometimes made him unpopular with other scientists)
2. First big scientific success was proof that objects fall at same speed no matter weight
3. He proved this by dropping cannon ball + bullet from Leaning Tower of Pisa - both reached ground at same time
4. In 1609, heard reports that Dutch spectacle maker had discovered that two lenses could be used to magnify objects some distance away
5. Using this knowledge, he developed the telescope by placing magnifying lens at either end of lead pipe
6. Was now able to look at moon at 30x size it appeared to naked eye - discovered it faced sun at different angles at different times, leading him to believe Copernicus was right
7. Public support for Copernicus published in his book: Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems, led to storm of protest from Church - claimed theories were foolish + absurd
8. Arrested + put on trial before Inquisition (set up to punish those who questioned theories of Church)
9. Forced to withdraw claim that earth revolved around sun in order to save life
10. Sentenced to house arrest until death in 1642

Question 27

Describe the effects of the Renaissance

Answer 27

1. Allowed people to look at world in different way by questioning theories that has been accepted as fact for 1000+ years
   - from then on, people learned by observation + experiment rather than tradition
2. Encouraged some to travel more + discover new lands (Age of Exploration)
3. Spread of information through development of printing made it difficult for political + religious leaders to stop those who didn’t agree with them from reaching the ordinary people
   - Renaissance can therefore be said to have played a part in the Reformation (major split in the Christian Church in the 16th century)