Final Flashcards
Define Terms
Francesco Guicciardini
Florentine statesman, diplomat, and historian, author of the most important contemporary history of Italy. Storia d’Italia. Known for his history of Italy, which covers the period from 1492 to 1532. “should write so that someone born in a far distant age would have those things as much before his eyes as did those who were then present. That is inded the aim of history.” He was particularly concerned about the moral choices that individuals make as well as the role of necessity in determining events.
Baldassare Castiglione
Italian courtier, diplomat, and writer best known for his dialogue Il ilbro del cortegiano. Was an Italian courtier, soldier and a prominent Renaissance author, who is probably most famous for his authorship of Il Cortegiano. The work was an example of a courtesy book dealing with questions of etiquette and morality of the courtier, was very influential in 16th century European court circles.
Ludovico Ariosto
Italian poet remembered for his epic poem, Orlando furioso which is generally regarded as the finest expression of the literary tendencies and spiritual attitudes of the italian Renaissance. Romantic epics, which combined the style of classic epics by the Greek Homer and the ROman Vergil wtih the tradition of medieval romance.
Pietro Aretino
Italian poet, prose writer, and dramatist celebrated throughout Europe in his time for his bold and insolent literary attacks on the powerful. His fiery letters and dialogues are of the great biographical and topical interest. Known as “The Scourge of Princes” for his merciless satires of the rich and famous. People paid him to write or not write about them.
Veronica Franco
was an italian poet and courtesan in the 16th century Venice. Daughter of a lowly sex worker. A number of her clients and friends were men of literary ability and they recognized similar talents in her. Opened a refugee center for ex-sex workers, shortly before her death in 1591.
Vittoria Colonna
Italian poet, less important for her poetry than for poetry than her personality and her associations with famous contemporaries particularly Michelangelo.
Christine de Pizan
prolific and versatile French poet and author whose diverse writings include numerous poems of courtly love, a biography of Charles V of France, and several works championing women. First woman to write professionally and the first published feminist.
Louis Labé
French poet, the daughter of a rope maker. Member of the 16th century school of humanists poets dominated by Maurice Sceve. Her wit, charm, accomplishments, and the freedom she enjoyed provoked unverifiable legends, such as those claiming she rode to war, was taken to dressing like a man, and was a cultured courtesan. Unconventional French literary figure. She recieved a much better education than was typical of her class. Urged other women to “raidse their minds somewhat abouve their distaffs and spindles” and find pleasure in studey. Fought in a battle distiguesd as a man.
Marguerite of Navarre
queen consort of Henry II of Navarre, who , as a patron of humanists and reformers and as an author in her own right, was one of the most outstanding figures of the French Renaissance. The most renowned female literary figure of the period. She wrote intesnsely mystical poetry of great emotional power.
François Rabelais
French writer and priest who for his contemporaries was an eminent physician and humanist and for his posterity is the author of the comic masterpiece Gargantua and Pantagruel. The Four novels composing this work are outstanding for their rich use of Renaissance French and for their comedy, which ranges from gross burlesque to profound satire. He was at times a licentioius monk, a medical student, a classicist and a mocker of religious beliefs who was at the same time a true believer.
Miguel de Cervantes
Spanish novelist, playwright, and poet, the creator of Don Quixote has been translated, in ful or in part, into more than 60 languages. Considered the greatest Spanish author of all time.
Jan van Eyck
Netherlandish painter who perfected the newly developed technique of oil painting. His naturalistic panel paintings, mostly portraits and religious subjects, made extensive use of disguised religious symbols. Most famous for using a form of oil painting.
Albrecht Durer
painter and print-maker generally regarded as the greatest German Renaissance artist. His vast body of work includes altarpieces and religious works, numerous portraits and self portraits, and copper engravings. Served as one of the most important links between Italian and northern art. He was also the greatest artist of the Renaissance in Germany, as a master of an astonishing variety of techniques and styles.
Lucas Cranach
leading painter of Saxony, and one of the most important and influential artists in 16th-century German art. Among his vast output of paintings and woodcuts, the most important are altarpieces, court portraits and portrats of the Protestant Reformers, and innumerable pictures of women. Was a northern Franconian who learned the art of engraving from his father.
Hans Holbein
German painter, draftsman, and designer, renowned for the precise rendering of his drawings and the compelling realism of his portraits, particularly those recording the court of King Henry VIII of England. Was the son of a well-known artist, who sent him to Italy to further his skills.
