The Renaissance
➢ The Renaissance was a cultural movement
spanning the 14th to 17th centuries, starting in
Italy.
➢ The Renaissance influenced every aspect of life,
from politics to science and religion.
➢ It marked the end of the Medieval period.
➢ City-states like Florence, Venice, and Rome
became centers of trade, finance, and culture.
➢ Wealthy merchant families, such as the Medici,
funded art, architecture, and education.
➢ Political competition between city-states fostered
innovation and creativity.
➢ Florence, a wealthy city-state, was the cultural hub
of the Italian Renaissance.
➢ Known for its prosperous banking system led by
families like the Medici.
➢ Artists, writers, and philosophers like Leonardo da
Vinci, Michelangelo, and Dante thrived here.
➢ The Medici family were wealthy bankers who ruled
Florence and made it a hub for artistic and intellectual
innovation.
➢ They supported great artists like Michelangelo,
Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.
➢ The Medici family also built libraries, sponsored
universities, and funded public works.
Humanism
➢ Humanism emphasized the value of human
potential, achievements, and reason.
➢ Inspired by classical texts, it encouraged a focus
on education, ethics, and civic involvement.
➢ Humanists believed in the dignity of the
individual and the pursuit of knowledge.
➢ Renaissance art focused on realism, perspective,
and human emotion.
➢ Artists mastered techniques like linear
perspective, chiaroscuro (light and shadow), and
sfumato (soft edges).
➢ Themes included mythology, religion, and
portraits of prominent individuals.
➢ Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) was a sculptor,
painter, and architect.
➢ Famous works include the Sistine Chapel ceiling, David,
and Pietà.
➢ His art exemplified Renaissance ideals of beauty,
emotion, and human potential.
➢ Michelangelo was also the chief architect of St. Peter’s
Basilica in Rome
➢ Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) was an artist, scientist,
and inventor.
➢ Masterpieces include the Mona Lisa and The Last
Supper.
➢ He made detailed sketches of anatomy, machinery, and
flying devices.
➢ Leonardo’s curiosity and experiments embodied the
Renaissance ideal of a "universal man."
➢ Invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, the
printing press transformed the spread of
knowledge.
➢ Mass production of books made them more
affordable and accessible to the public.
➢ The printing press fueled literacy, education, and
the exchange of ideas across Europe.
➢ The Scientific Revolution began during the late
Renaissance, emphasizing observation and
experimentation.
➢ Thinkers challenged traditional views rooted in
ancient and medieval thought.
➢ Innovations in mathematics, physics, and biology
laid the foundation for modern science.
➢ Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric
theory, stating the Earth revolved around the Sun
rather than the other way around.
➢ His ideas influenced later scientists like Kepler
and Galileo.
➢ Though controversial, Copernicus’s work marked
the start of the Scientific Revolution.
➢ Galileo Galilei used telescopes to observe celestial
bodies, providing evidence for the heliocentric
theory.
➢ Discovered moons orbiting Jupiter, Venus’s
phases, and craters on the Moon.
➢ His studies in physics included the laws of motion
and gravity.
➢ Galileo’s defense of
Copernicus’s ideas led to
conflict with the Catholic
Church.
➢ Despite his trial and house
arrest, Galileo’s work laid
the foundation for modern
science.
➢ The Italian Wars (1494-1559) were a series of battles
between Italy’s city-states and powerful European countries
like France and Spain.
➢ These wars began when France, under King Charles VIII,
invaded Italy in 1494, seeking to claim the Kingdom of
Naples.
➢ The Italian city-states, which had been flourishing during
the Renaissance, were now caught in a struggle for power
and control.
➢ The wars devastated many parts of Italy, disrupting
trade and causing damage to cities and artworks. Rome
was sacked by Spanish troops in 1527.
➢ Despite the turmoil, the Italian Wars helped spread
Renaissance ideas across Europe.
➢ French and Spanish soldiers who fought in Italy
brought back a new appreciation for art, culture, and
architecture.
