HUMANISM

A Renaissance value, is the belief that

“the human being is the measure of all
things,” that people and their
activities are important and
interesting. Humanism focused on
human achievements and potential,
rather than religious themes.
Humanists focus on pleasure and
happiness, rather than the idea of
“right and wrong.” People who are
not humanistic see the human being
as insignificant. They place more
value on God (or gods) or on science
or nature, etc.
 INDIVIDUALISM
Renaissance people believed in individualism.
They thought it right to be themselves and think
for themselves. They were, of course, members
of groups – the church, families, guilds, etc.
Nevertheless, their own ideas and activities gave
them their sense of who they really were. Like
the Romans, people of the Renaissance were
ambitious for fame and worldly success. Like
the Greeks, they believed humans could achieve
great things. These attitudes encouraged
curiosity and adventure. In contrast to the
Middle Ages, uniqueness was encouraged, and
many artists were thought to have been "genius".
Raphael, while creating the School of Athens,
depicted himself in the painting. This was
common way Renaissance artists used "self-
glorification" to show their importance.
Michelangelo's David also depicts
individualism. His confident pose, in contrast to
the Middle Ages' Christian humility, is used to
symbolize that man accomplish anything.
 SKEPTISM
A Renaissance value of having a
questioning attitude. It was seen as a good
thing to experiment, try new things, and
shake up the system. Skepticism (from the
Greek, skeptesthai, 'to examine') is the
philosophical view that it is impossible to
know anything with absolute certainty, or
to know the world as it 'really' is. The
word can also mean a general reluctance to
accept anything on face value without
sufficient proof. People believed that our
senses were inherently suspect, hence we
should doubt just about everything. People
were entitled to their opinions, and all
opinions were valid because we can never
be really sure of facts In the Middle Ages,
exactly the opposite had been considered
right – accept, do not question, and have
faith in the church.

WELL-
ROUNDEDNESS
Renaissance people thought the ideal person was one
who was interested in many things and active in
many fields. Citizens of the Renaissance strived to be
educated, witty, charming, and artistic. A gentleman
should have a firm handle on not just one or two, but
every aspect of his humanity, working to strengthen
himself in every way possible. If he is blessed with
the gift of intelligence, his academic pursuits should
not be chased to the expense of his physical health.
Similarly, a creative personality should not lead a
man to isolate himself and ignore the social aspect of
his being. Excellence in one of these areas does not
take attention away from the pursuit of the others but
rather serves only to increase competence in
complimentary areas, giving man a greater
understanding of himself and the world around him.
The ideal of the Renaissance Man originated in Italy,
and is based on the belief that a man’s capacity for
personal development is without limits; competence
in a broad range of abilities and areas of knowledge
should be every man’s goal and is within every man’s
grasp.

SECULARISM
Secularism is a non-religious belief. It also
means worldliness or a belief in the importance
of this life on earth. Making money, traveling,
and making your home comfortable are secular
activities; however, praying is NOT secular.
Secularists strived to keep the church separate
from their everyday lives. Michelangelo's David
and Raphael's School of Athens both depict the
rising secularism in the Renaissance. As a result
of the Inquisition, a general movement away
from the Catholic Church occurred.
Michelangelo's sculpture was a recreation of the
Biblical figure David. Although Michelangelo
used a religious theme in his art, religious
themes were portrayed not to glorify God, but to
glorify the artists themselves. In Raphael's
School of Athens, secularism is shown in the
philosophers themselves. Lavish clothing of the
era shows an importance in wealth. The spirit of
the Renassiance was more secular than religious.

CLASSICISM
Renaissance people were interested in the
classical age, the time of Greeks and Romans.
The classical age was a time when people were
also secular, individualistic, humanistic, and
skeptical. So, Renaissance people looked back at
their roots for values. Renaissance Classicism
was a form of art that removed extraneous detail
and showed the world as it was. The use of light,
shadow, foreshortening, and perspective had
been perfected and was at the fingertips of these
great artists. Classicism idealized the world as it
was and as the artist felt it. Classicism left out
the extraneous detail to go for the truth of the
matter and emphasize the noble. This style of
painting was the first to stress a balance and
harmony in art and nature. Furthermore, it was
subsidized by the Pope primarily for the painting
of his chapel and by the rich Italian families that
wanted to have that which the Church had.
 PATRONAGE
Patronage is the support, encouragement, or
financial aid that an organization or individual
gives to another. In the history of art, arts
patronage refers to the support that kings, popes,
and the wealthy have provided to artists such as
musicians, painters, and sculptors. Rulers,
nobles and very wealthy people used patronage
of the arts to endorse their political ambitions,
social positions, and prestige. Some patrons,
such as the Medici of Florence, used artistic
patronage to "cleanse" wealth that was perceived
as ill-gotten through loans. Art patronage was
especially important in the creation of religious
art. The Roman Catholic Church and other
religious groups sponsored art and architecture,
as seen in churches, cathedrals, painting,
sculpture and handicrafts. Other disciplines also
benefited from patronage, including musicians,
writers, philosophers, astrologers, and other
scholars. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, and William Shakespeare all
enjoyed the support of nobles or patrons.