IV.

Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and the Renaissance culture

A. Questions to answer:
1. What are some of the key characteristics of Romanesque and Gothic architecture?
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of medieval Europe characterized by semi-
circular arches. Combining features of ancient Roman and Byzantine buildings and other local
traditions, Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, thick walls, round arches,
sturdy pillars, barrel vaults, large towers and decorative arcading. Each building has clearly
defined forms, frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan
Gothic architecture (or pointed architecture) is an architectural style that was particularly
popular in Europe from the late 12th century to the 16th century. The defining design element of
Gothic architecture is the pointed or ogival arch. The use of the pointed arch in turn led to the
development of the pointed rib vault and flying buttresses, combined with elaborate tracery and
stained glass windows
What are some of the best examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture in and outside of
Hungary?

Gothic buildings: the Notre-Dame De Paris (1345 CE), Westminster Abbey (1245 CE), Chartres
Cathedral (12-13th century), Milan Cathedral (1386-1865 CE)
castle of hollókő-Hungary

Romanesque buildings: The Bamberg Cathedral – Bamberg- Germany, The Modena Cathedral –
Modena- Italy, The Basilica of Saint Servatius
Ják church-Hungary

What and when was the Renaissance and how is humanism connected to it?

The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth”
following the Middle Ages. taking place from the 14th century to the 17th century, the Renaissance
promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art.
Humanism was the major intellectual movement of the Renaissance

How did humanism criticize the contemporary order and society?

it changed the way people viewed there lives and jobs, it showed them that they can move out of
there social class, become a merchant instead of staying a pheasant. They learned that they can
achieve a personal best.

Who are some important relevant artists or writers?

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, William Shakespeare, Giovanni Boccaccio
 B. Terms to define:
1. scholasticism: scholasticism was a method of learning about the world - based on Classical Greek philosophy - it
focused on dialectical reasoning to arrive at the truth - uses logic to find order in the world - but! everything can be
explained by God's existence - famous scholastic philosophers: Pierre Abelard, William of Ockham, St. Thomas Aquinas -
used in European universities until the 17th c.
2. university: - universities received a charter from the king to operate independently from the Church - First
universities: Bologna, Paris, Oxford, Cambridge, Salamanca (11-12th centuries) - Central Europe: Prague, Kraków,
Vienna, Pécs (1367)
3. Romanesque style, Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of medieval Europe
characterized by semi-circular arches.
4. Gothic style, The Gothic style evolved from Romanesque architecture, a medieval aesthetic
characterized by arches, vaulted ceilings, and small stained glass windows
5. the Renaissance, The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and
economic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages
6. humanism, Humanism stresses the importance of human values and dignity. It proposes that
people can resolve problems through the use of science and reason. Rather than looking to
religious traditions
7. “ad fontes” back tot he sources

Important names: Macchiavelli: Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat,
philosopher, Humanist, and writer, often called the founder of modern political science.
Erasmus: Erasmus was a Dutch Renaissance Humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian
known as the “Prince of the Humanists” for his influential scholarship and writings
Topographical data: Venice, Florence, Milan
Chronology: the Trecento, the Quattrocento and the Cinquecento

Humanism
In this era, humanist principles emerged like universal human dignity, individual freedom and the importance of happiness. Humanism
also placed importance on education, saying that a free man can only be complete if he is learned in grammar, rhetoric, history and
philosophy. Although humanism was not anti-religious, it wanted to understand the natural world without the constraints of the
church and the faith. They believed they have to reconstruct a large chunk of their knowledge by going back to their Greco-Roman
source (ad fontes = back to the source). Famous humanists include: Erasmus of Rotterdam, Niccoló Macchiavelli, Thomas More.