Renaissance Europe

Historical time period from about 1300 to 1600 in Europe. The term means "rebirth." It refers to a revival of art and learning. The educated people of Europe hoped to bring back the culture of classical Greece and Rome. ​

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​What was the European Renaissance?

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The Renaissance began in Northern Italy particularly the city of Florence and eventually spread to the rest of Europe. Florence had three advantages that made it the birthplace of the Renaissance: thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and the classical heritage of Greece and Rome.

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​Where did the Renaissance begin?

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The growth of city-states in Italy led to increased trade. Cities are often places where people exchange ideas. ​A wealthy merchant class developed in each Italian city-state. These merchants became patrons of the arts and helped to fund new learning. A patron is someone who financially supports artists.

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​What led to the Renaissance?

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During the Renaissance, the city of Florence came under the rule of one powerful banking family, the Medici. Cosimo de Medici was the wealthiest European of his time. His family were generous patrons of the arts who collected many rare manuscripts. Eventually the Medici family made their library available to the public. ​

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​The Medici Family

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​Philosophy of the Renaissance

The study of classical texts led to humanism, an intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements. Instead of trying to make classical texts agree with Christian teaching as medieval scholars had. Also, humanists popularized the study of subjects common to classical education, such as history, literature, and philosophy. These subjects are called the humanities. ​

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During the Middle Ages in Europe people were focused on spiritual behavior. They were very concerned with their souls and the afterlife. The Catholic church was very influential.​

​​Spiritual

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​However, during the Renaissance society became more secular or worldly. People were more concerned with the here and the now.

​​Secular

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The Renaissance Man​

Renaissance writers introduced the idea that all educated people were expected to create art. The ideal individual tried to master almost every area of study. A man who excelled in many fields was praised as a "universal man." Later ages called such people "Renaissance men." Leonardo da Vinci was an example of such a person because of his many talents.​

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Renaissance artists often portrayed religious subjects, but they used a style copied from the Greeks and Romans. They also used perspective to show three dimensions on a flat surface. They also studied human form to make more realistic looking art.​

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​Renaissance Art

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Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, inventor, and scientist. He was a interested in how things worked. Among his many masterpieces, Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. ​

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​Leonardo Da Vinci

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