Renaissance Overview

Renaissance Europe

By James Moran

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 word, "renaissance" means what?

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Which two classical civilizations did the Renaissance view as worthy of study? (SELECT TWO ANSWERS)

• Egypt

• Mesopotamia

• Greece

• Sumaria

• Rome

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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Multiple Choice

Where was the birthplace of the Renaissance?

• England

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Itlay

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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Multiple Choice

A person who financially supports the Arts is called

• Patron

• King

• Nobleman

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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Multiple Choice

Why were the Medicis important to the Renaissance?

• The commissioned many expeditions.

• They started a university in Florence.

• They believed in the teachings of Luther.

• They were patrons of the arts.

Humanism

​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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Multiple Choice

__________________ was a Renaissance intellectual movement in which thinkers studied classical texts and focused on human potential and achievements.

• Indulgence
• Humanism
• Secular
• Perspective

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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Multiple Choice

Renaissance Europeans turned towards non-religious interests/topics. This is known as:

• Nationalism

• Secularism

• Humanism

• Realism

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes, "the spirit of the renaissance"?

• "People should work hard and stick to tradition."

• "People are not creative and shouldn't try new things."

• "People are capable of learning and should create new things."

• "knowledge is reserved only for those in positions of authority.”

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.​

Subject | Subject

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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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Multiple Choice

What is the artistic technique that is used to show depth and distance on a flat surface?

• realism
• perspective
• idealism
• distancism

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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Multiple Choice

Who painted the Mona Lisa?

• Michelangelo
• Boticceli
• Leonardo da Vinci
• Donatello