The Humanist Concept of the Renaissance
By: bona
College Board Theme:
Development and Interactions of Cultures: Religion, Belief Systems, Science & Technology, Philosophy, Art & Architecture
This topic relates to the development and interactions of cultures in all the different aspects. With the revival of the arts and learning, people of the Renaissance took on the ideas of Classical Greek and Roman art, which was presented through buildings, writings, and other different works. Due to the result of interactions between cultures of different time periods, development took place, allowing the growth of the European society in both style and thinking.
Development and Interactions of Cultures: Religion, Belief Systems, Science & Technology, Philosophy, Art & Architecture
This topic relates to the development and interactions of cultures in all the different aspects. With the revival of the arts and learning, people of the Renaissance took on the ideas of Classical Greek and Roman art, which was presented through buildings, writings, and other different works. Due to the result of interactions between cultures of different time periods, development took place, allowing the growth of the European society in both style and thinking.
Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
- 14-17th century
- French word for "rebirth"
- Refers to the revival of the arts and learning
- Painters, sculptors, and architects
- Preferred classical over modern predecessors
- Inspired by Greek and Roman artists for the simplicity and realism
- Preferred classical over modern predecessors
- Revive classical aesthetic standards
- Scholars
- Also known as humanists
- Preferred classical literary models over medieval
- Adapted the moral thought to the needs of the urban society
- Also known as humanists
Italian Renaissance
- Artists
- Studied the human form
- Illustrated emotions in their subjects
- Masaccio & Leonardo da Vinci
- Technique of linear perspective: 3-dimensions of life on 2-dimensional surfaces
- Studied the human form
- Sculptors
- Donatello & Michelangelo Buonarotti
- Donatello & Michelangelo Buonarotti
- Natural poses with the reflection of the workings of the human muscle rather than the rigid postures of earlier sculptures
- Architects
- Simple, elegant style buildings (Classical Greek and Roman)
- Domed buildings: enclosed large spaces but kept them open and airy under massive domes--did not survive the collapse of the Roman empire
- Filippo Brunelleschi: inspired by the Pantheon--Roman temple in the 2nd century CE-- he oversaw the construction of the cathedral of Florence, which was viewed as the symbol of the city’s wealth and its leadership in artistic and cultural affairs
- Simple, elegant style buildings (Classical Greek and Roman)
- Humanists
- Scholars interested in humanities--literature, history, and moral philosophy
- Deeply committed to Christianity & drew inspiration from the intense spirituality and high moral standards of early Christianity--promoted these values in their society
- Prepared and translated texts of the New Testament and other important Christian writings
- Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam
- 1516: Published the 1st edition of the Greek New Testament along with a Latin translation and many other annotations
- Preferred classical Greek and Roman authors and early church fathers, due to the elegant and polished language
- Scholars interested in humanities--literature, history, and moral philosophy
- Traveled throughout Europe in search for manuscripts of classical works
- Enlarged the body of classical Greek and Latin works by becoming acquainted with the Byzantine scholars
- Traveled throughout Europe in search for manuscripts of classical works
- Classical Greek & Latin values
- Encouraged humanists to reconsider medieval ethical teachings
- Medieval vs Renaissance
- Medieval: The most honorable calling is that of monks and nuns who withdrew from the world and dedicated their lives to prayer, contemplation, and the glorification of God.
- Humanists: It is possible to both lead a morally virtuous life while participating actively in the affairs of the world
- Renaissance humanists: It is honorable for Christians to enter into marriage, business relationships, and public affairs; offered a spirited defense for those who rejected the cloister, or a monastery, in favor of an active life in society
- Reconcile Christian values and ethics with the urban and commercial society of the Renaissance Europe
- Classical Greek & Latin values
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci--It is one of his well-known works that portrays the 3-dimension qualities on 2-dimensional surface.
|
This is a movable type, which allowed the expansion of literacy and literature.
|
Comparison: Renaissance vs Enlightenment
I compared the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, for the reason that they were both similar in their concept of revival from darkness. Like how the people of the Renaissance recovered from the "Dark Ages," people of the Enlightenment, specifically the intellectuals, recovered from the darkness of unapproved scientific methods. Also, the development of secular art, music, literature, and moral thought during the Renaissance was further spread by the philosophers of the Enlightenment.
I compared the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, for the reason that they were both similar in their concept of revival from darkness. Like how the people of the Renaissance recovered from the "Dark Ages," people of the Enlightenment, specifically the intellectuals, recovered from the darkness of unapproved scientific methods. Also, the development of secular art, music, literature, and moral thought during the Renaissance was further spread by the philosophers of the Enlightenment.
The Renaissance - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires
