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Renaissance Medici
Family
Overview
Philosophy
The Renaissance was a fervent period of European
cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth”
of
following the Middle Ages. Generally described as Humanism
taking place from the 14th century to the 17th
century, the Renaissance promoted the rediscovery
of classical philosophy, literature and art. Some of Petrarch
the greatest thinkers, authors, statesmen, scientists
and artists in human history thrived during this era,
while global exploration opened up new lands and Leonardo da
cultures to European commerce. The Renaissance is Vinci
credited with bridging the gap between the Middle
Ages and modern-day civilization.
Michael
The Renaissance was the time period of creativity
and change in Europe and during the 1300s to the Angelo
1600sin which there were changes in many areas
such as political, social, economical, and cultural.
The most important change was that of the people Raphael
and how they saw themselves and their world.
Many people showed interest in classical learning,
especially the culture of the ancient Romans. They Donatello
set out to change their own age. The Renaissance,
as they felt, was a time of rebirth after the disorder
and disasters of the medieval world. Giovanni
Boccaccio
The Renaissance began in Italy in the mid 1300s
and spread north throughout the rest of Europe.
Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance for
many reasons. First of all, since Italy was the
center of ancient Roman history, it was natural for
the Renaissance to start there. Some things such as
architectural remains, antique statues, coins and
inscriptions reminded Italians of the glory of the
Roman Empire.
14 to 17 century
participate in the government (this The Florentine people were very proud
of their form of government in the
early 15th century (as we are of our
democracy). A republic is, after all, a
place that respects the opinions of
individuals, and we know that
individualism was a very important
part of the Humanism that thrived in
Florence in the fifteenth century.
The de Medici during their rule of How Humanism gave rise to the art of
Florence in the fifteen century did the Renaissance
much to influence the Renaissance
and to enable the great artists, Petrarch’s sonnets were admired and
humanists, and writers, to produce imitated throughout Europe during the
their works that have been so Renaissance and became a model for
influential down the centuries. The lyrical poetry.
family brought stability and peace to
the city of Florence. This was crucial in Petrarch was born in the Tuscan city
the cultural flourishing in the city in of Arezzo in 1304. Petrarch spent his
the fifteenth century. The de Medici early childhood in the village of Incisa,
largely peaceful rule did much to near Florence
promote the Renaissance in the city.
They also in their relations with the Petrarch studied law at the University
other city-states did much to bring of Montpellier (1316–1320) and the
peace to North Italy. Then the de University of Bologna (1320–23);
Medici was very instrumental in the because his father was in the
growing interest in Greek culture and profession of law he insisted that
history. Petrarch and his brother study law
also. Petrarch, however, was primarily
# The first leader from the Medici interested in writing and Latin
family. literature, and considered these seven
# Who are the four Popes produced years wasted.
during the reign of the Medici family
# Discuss the impact of the Medici He traveled widely in Europe, served
family in the Renaissance period. as an ambassador, and has been
called “the first tourist” because he 1. For which form of art is Petrarch
traveled just for pleasure. During his best known?
travels, he collected crumbling Latin
manuscripts and was a prime mover in a. Poetry
the recovery of knowledge from b. Painting
writers of Rome and Greece.. c. Sculpture
d. Petrarch was not an artist, just a
Disdaining what he believed to be the scholar.
ignorance of the centuries preceding 2. Petrarch is credited with helping to
the era in which he lived, Petrarch is launch which philosophical movement?
credited or charged with creating the a. Neoclassicism
concept of a historical “Dark Ages. b. Empiricism
c. The Enlightenment
Petrarch's Renaissance Role d. Humanism
Sistine Madonna
Raphael did not paint the ceiling with
They’re Michaelangelo in the Sistene Chapel,
presented in a but he was commissioned to do
coup de theatre tapestries for the Chapel.
apparition
revealed by Giovanni Boccaccio
drawn curtains; the Humanist
a curtain rod at
the top Giovanni
completes the Boccaccio
illusion, as Italian: 16 June
though the 1313 – 21
curtain is being drawn back to reveal December 1375)
this vision. The cloud-filled space they was an Italian
inhabit is meant to be infinite, writer, poet,
indicated beautifully by the irresistible correspondent of
little angels at the bottom, who lean Petrarch, and an
their arms on the lower edge of this important
opening “like children in a swimming Renaissance
bath,” as an English writer once put it. humanist.
They’re charming; it is Raphael’s Boccaccio wrote
graceful skill that keeps the charm a number of notable works, including
just this side of saccharine. The Decameron and On Famous
Women. He wrote his imaginative
Common Questions About Raphael’s literature mostly in Tuscan vernacular,
Madonna as well as other works in Latin, and is
Q: Who is the Madonna in Raphael’s particularly noted for his realistic
paintings? dialogue which differed from that of
his contemporaries, medieval writers
The Madonna in Raphael’s paintings is who usually followed formulaic models
the Virgin Mary appearing with an for character and plot.
infant Jesus.
Q: What symbolism does the Madonna The Decameron.
represent? It was probably in the years 1348–53
that Boccaccio composed the
The Madonna and the colors she bears Decameron in the form in which it is
are a symbol of virtue, virginity, read today. In the broad sweep of its
innocence and purity of spirit. range and its alternately tragic and
Q: What is Raphael most famous for? comic views of life, it is rightly
regarded as his masterpiece.
Raphael is most famous for his unique Stylistically, it is the most perfect
style in the paintings of the Madonna, example of Italian classical prose, and
particularly for the Sistene Madonna its influence on Renaissance literature
for the Palace of the Vatican. throughout Europe was enormous.
Q: Was Raphael involved in the
painting of the Sistene Chapel?
Name_____________________ Instructor_______________________
Course____________________
Date______________________ 8. Considered a Renaissance Man
because he was a sculptor, inventor,
architect, and painter. He was also famous
Instructions: Encircle the letter of the for painting the Mona Lisa and Last
Supper.
correct answer. Use blue pen. No
a. Raphael c. Machiavelli
erasure.
b. Gutenberg d. Davinci
9. Invented the movable type printing
1. Who had a major influence on A More c. Holbein
Boccaccio's work and life? b. Petrarch d. Gutenburg
a. Shakespeare c. Chaucer 10. Who made this
b. Petrarch d. Heath Ledger a. Donatelo
2. . Which work is largely considered b. Michelangelo
Boccaccio's masterpiece? c. Davinci
a. Filocolo c. Decameron d. Petrarch
b.Teseida d. Elegia di Madonna 11. What is humanism?
3. What does Decameron mean? a. The thought of an educated rebirth
b. The thought that humans are the most
a. Decameron's life during the Black important thing on Earth
Death c. The thought that humans should be
b. Black Death in Italy equal
c. Ethical and fulfilled life d. The thought that all thin
d. 10 days' work TRUE or FALSE.. Write the word VIRUS if
4. Which theme does Decameron follow? the statement is TRUE and write the word
a. A story about the moral and religious COVID if the statement is false, if false
significance of the Black Death change the underlined word/phrase to
b. A story about the dehumanizing of make it true. Write your answer on the
Florence's society space provided before each number.
c. A story about Italian traders losing
their battle to a Mongolian army ___________1. . Petrarch was the first
d. None of these apply. Western artist whose biography was
5. What famous Painting did Michelangelo published while he was alive.
Make? ___________2. The Middle Ages and
a. Pieta c. David modern ages are of crucial importance in
b. The Last Supper European history.
d. Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel ___________3. Medici is the clan that
6. Michelangelo was commissioned to controls the entire Florence.
make a statue of a crucified Jesus lying ___________4. Michelangelo and
across the knees of his mother, Mary. This Donatelo are the creator of David.
statue is called _____ ___________5. Madonna visual
a. Pieta c. David expressions of popular concern with the
b. The Last Supper emotional aspects of the lives of Christ
d. Ceiling of the Sistine Chape and the Virgin Mary.
7. Who is the youngest of the four
turtles? ESSAY: Write Your answer at the back of
a. Michelangelo c. Raphael this page.
b. Donatello d. Leonardo
8. He traveled widely in Europe, and has 1. Discuss briefly why renaissance is
been called “the first tourist”. considered as the bridge between middle
a. Donatelo c. Davinci ages and the modern ages.
b. Michelangelo d. Petrarch