The Italian Renaissance Notes Flashcards
1
Q
Renaissance
A
- A term literally meaning ‘rebirth’ but refers to the period in European civilization of change and that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom
2
Q
Italian City States
A
- Italy was made up of individual city states
→ An independent urban centre and the surrounding countryside including small towns that were governed by its own laws and political system - City states were run by a variety of different political systems
→ Republics such as Florence, Venice, Siena and Lucca
→ Hereditary rulers such as Naples (king) and Milan (duke) - Were often at war with each other competing for status
2
Q
The Role of Commerce, Trade and Travel in the Renaissance
A
- Renaissance flourished and thrived in Florence, Genoa and Venice → at crossroads of trade routes linking Europe, Middle East and Asia
- Greek scholars moved to Italy → bought classical works with them and ignited interest in the classical world
- Increase in trade with the East → made men wealth → wanted to show off wealth and status → commissioned art, literature, architecture and music → spread and developed new ideas in the Renaissance
- Felt the need to imitate and surpass ancient civilisations
2
Q
Florence
A
- ‘Birthplace of the Renaissance’
- Attracted brilliant minds including renowned artists, architects, scholars and thinkers
- Centre of European wool trade
→ Political power was held by wealthy merchants
→ Vibrant trade and wealth, patronage was fostered - On the banks of the river Arno → vital for cloth making
- Government was dominated by wealthy, merchant families → networked to influence politics → Medici family
- Was a republic
- Had to be male, a citizen, a taxpayer and a member of a guild to vote and be apart of political system
3
Q
Art, Sculpture and Architecture
A
- Increase in demand for artistic works
- Experimentation with light, technique and colour
→ Use of rich colours
→ Painted perspectives and distances realistically
→ 3D - Frescoes
- Aimed for realism
- Inspired by classical styles
- Studied anatomy to achieve more realistic depictions
- Did not just depict religious scenes
- Architects copied styles and techniques from Ancient Greek and Roman buildings to design new buildings
4
Q
Humanism
A
- An intellectual movement that responded to a revived interest in the classical world and studies
- Focused not onreligionbut on what it is to be human
- Humanists believed the importance of an education in classical literature and the promotion of civic virtue
5
Q
Scientific Discoveries and Thinking
A
- Leonardo De Vinci → underwater diving suit, glider and robot
- Heliocentric solar system
- Anatomical discoveries → autopsies
- Telescopes
- Overall, great interest in mathematics, science, astronomy and physiology as well as the arts
6
Q
Republic
A
A system of government in which many people share power
7
Q
Renaissance
A
A period of cultural change that occured in Italy
8
Q
City state
A
An urban centre with its own laws and political system
9
Q
Humanism
A
The belief in the potential of people to create and innovate
10
Q
Merchant
A
A person who makes their money from trade or industry
11
Q
Patron
A
A person or group who pays for a work of art or literature to be created
12
Q
Dowry
A
Money and property that a woman brought with her when she married
