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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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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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​Michelangelo was a painter, sculptor, and architect.

He was asked to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. It took four a half years to complete and it partially paralyzed Michelangelo.

Today people travel from all over the world to see his work

Michelangelo

Around 1450, a German inventor names Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press. The printing press allowed for typing and mass production of the written world.

Printing Press

In 1455, Gutenberg published the Bible. This meant more people than ever before were reading. It was now cheaper to buy books because they could be produced more easily.

By 1500, between 8 million and 20 million books were printed in Europe

Printing Press and The Bible

​Another legacy of the Renaissance was the increasing number of women in politics and arts.

One example is Catherine Medici who became Queen of France and was known for supporting the arts and brought ballet to France

Renaissance Women

Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 17th November 1558 to 24th March 1603. She’s regarded as one of the greatest monarchs of England.

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Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

Queen of England in the 1500s who is regarded as one of the greatest Monarchs of all time

• Italian diplomat and philosopher

• Wrote "The Prince," a manual for politics and how to rule/govern.

• Considered the founder of modern political philosophy