Section 5 - The Renaissance

Question 1

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

Answer 1

1) Roman ruins, such as the colosseum, inspired Italians to learn more about Ancient Rome.
2) The Italian language is based Latin, the language of Romans. This made it easy for Italians to learn about Romans via manuscripts.
3) Wealthy rulers of Italy known as patrons of the arts were very interested in the arts and employed artists to decorate their palaces and towns.

Question 2

Mention two ways that Renaissance paintings were different from medieval ones.

Answer 2

1) Renaissance artists studied anatomy which made their paintings very lifelike, unlike medieval ones.
2) Medieval artists only painted religious subjects while Renaissance painters painted normal people too.

Question 3

Renaissance painters used oils to bind their paints, what did medieval painters use?

Answer 3

Egg whites.

Question 4

Lorenzo de Medici was a famous patron of the arts, what rich city-state did he rule?

Answer 4

Florence

Question 5

When was Lorenzo de Medici born?

Answer 5

1449

Question 6

When did Lorenzo de Medici become ruler of Florence?

Answer 6

In 1469, aged 20.

Question 7

Lorenzo was a very talented man, mention three of his talents.

Answer 7

1) Banker
2) Poet
3) Athlete
4) Leader

Question 8

Name one famous sculptor under the patronage of Lorenzo de Medici.

Answer 8

Michelangelo made his statue of David under Lorenzo’s patronage.

Question 9

Lorenzo was also interested in rare manuscripts, how did he get them?

Answer 9

He employed learned people to obtain rare manuscripts of the East. These manuscripts made up the first public library of Europe.

Question 10

What age did Lorenzo did?

Answer 10

Age 43, in 1492.

Question 11

When and where was Michelangelo born?

Answer 11

In 1475 in Florence.

Question 12

Who was Michelangelo’s patron?

Answer 12

Lorenzo de Midici

Question 13

What is Michelangelo’s David made of?

Answer 13

White marble.

Question 14

Name another famous work of art by Michelangelo.

Answer 14

The fresco on the roof of the Sistine chapel.

Question 15

What age did Michelangelo die?

Answer 15

Aged 89, in 1564 (the same year Shakespearian was born)

Question 16

From 1500 onwards, the Renaissance spread beyond Italy, name three countries it spread to.

Answer 16

1) England
2) France
3) Germany

Question 17

Name a famous Renaissance artist or sculptor outside Italy.

Answer 17

Albrecht Dürer, from Germany.

Question 18

When was the Renaissance?

Answer 18

From 1450 to 1659.

Question 19

The word Renaissance means rebirth. What was there a rebirth of?

Answer 19

Of interest in learning, art and history.

Question 20

What was the occupation of Dürer’s father?

Answer 20

A goldsmith. Dürer learned the craft of engraving from his dad.

Question 21

At what age did Dürer begin an apprenticeship from a local artist?

Answer 21

15

Question 22

When was Dürer born?

Answer 22

1471

Question 23

Name a famous work of art by Dürer.

Answer 23

1) Large clod

2) Young hare

Question 24

Name a famous carving by Dürer.

Answer 24

1) Death and the devil

2) The knight

Question 25

When and where was Shakespeare born?

Answer 25

Shakespeare was born in 1564 (the same year Michelangelo died) on Stratford-On-Avon, England

Question 26

Who did Shakespeare marry?

Answer 26

Anne Hathaway

Question 27

What was the name of theatre group Shakespeare was involved in?

Answer 27

The king’s Men

Question 28

Name three of Shakespeare’s plays.

Answer 28

1) Romeo & Juliet
2) The Merchant of Venice
3) King Lear
4) Julius Ceasat

Question 29

Shakespeare’s plays were written in the vernacular, what does this mean?

Answer 29

The spoken language of the people.

Question 30

Where and when did Shakespeare die?

Answer 30

In 1613 he returned to Stratford-on-Avon where he died 3 years later.

Question 31

Who is responsible for the invention of the printing press?

Answer 31

Johann Gütenberg from Germany.

Question 32

Give two results of Gütenberg’s invention.

Answer 32

1) Cheaper books were printed which encouraged people to learn to read and write.
2) New ideas spread faster (e.g. Luther’s ideas)

Question 33

Name two famous Renaissance scientists.

Answer 33

1) Galileo discovered that objects of the same mass fell at the same speed.
2) William Harvey from England discovered that the heart pumped blood around the body.