Period FAQs

when was the renaissance period

by Kaitlin Bednar Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages. Generally described as taking place from the 14th century to the 17th century, the Renaissance promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art.Apr 4, 2018

Full Answer

When exactly did the Renaissance start and end?

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that initially began in Florence, Italy, but later spread throughout Europe. It started around 1350 and ended around 1600. During the Renaissance (a word that means “rebirth”), people experienced changes in art, learning, and many other things. When and where did the Renaissance art start?

What is the difference between Middle Ages and Renaissance?

Summary:

  1. The Middle Ages was a period from the 5th to 16th centuries. The Renaissance was the period between the 14th and the 16th centuries.
  2. The printing press was used in the Renaissance Age whereas parchment was used in the Middle Ages.
  3. The Renaissance Age portrayed humanism in art while Gothic art was prevalent in the Middle Ages.

More items...

What caused the Renaissance to begin?

The first main cause of the Renaissance was the increased interaction between different cultures and societies in the time before and during the start of the Renaissance. This is important because at the time Europe was in the midst of the Middle Ages.

What were 5 major effects of the Renaissance?

What were the 5 major changes during the Renaissance? Some major developments of the Renaissance include astronomy, humanist philosophy, the printing press, vernacular language in writing, painting and sculpture technique, world exploration and, in the late Renaissance, Shakespeare’s works.

image

When did the Renaissance era end?

17th centuryThe Renaissance arrived at different countries at varying times- Italy was the first to experience this movement beginning in the 14th century while the it did not reach England until the sixteenth century. A general consensus among historians is that by the early 17th century, the Renaissance had come to an end.

What are the 3 major periods of the Renaissance?

Although the evolution of Italian Renaissance art was a continuous process, it is traditionally divided into three major phases: Early, High, and Late Renaissance.

When did Renaissance start and where?

There is some debate over the actual start of the Renaissance. However, it is generally believed to have begun in Italy during the 14th century, after the end of the Middle Ages, and reached its height in the 15th century. The Renaissance spread to the rest of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

When did the Renaissance begin?

1300Renaissance / Began approximately

What kicked off the Renaissance?

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 is almost certainly what kicked off the renaissance. The capture of the capital city of the Byzantine empire by the Ottomans caused many of their scholars to flee with what was most precious to them.

What caused Renaissance?

In conclusion, historians have identified several causes of the Renaissance in Europe, including: increased interaction between different cultures, the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman texts, the emergence of humanism, different artistic and technological innovations, and the impacts of conflict and death.

What is Renaissance known for?

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

Why is it called the Renaissance period?

In the 14th century, Italian artists began to revive the heritage of Greek and Roman Antiquity. This is why this period is called the “Renaissance”, a word which comes from the Italian Rinascita, which was first used in the 14th century.

Why is the Renaissance important?

It was an incredible time of beauty, blossoming with creativity and curiosity. The Renaissance era also witnessed the discovery and exploration of new continents, the growth of commerce, and the inventions of innovations such as paper, printing, the mariner's compass and gunpowder.

When was the Renaissance start and end?

The Renaissance, which means "rebirth" in French, typically refers to a period in European history from A.D. 1400 to A.D. 1600. Many historians, however, assert that it started earlier or ended later, depending on the country.

What is Renaissance in simple words?

Renaissance is the French word 'rebirth'. The Renaissance was a period in European history which led to a revival in classical learning and wisdom.

Why the Renaissance began in Italy?

The Renaissance Began in Italy, Because Italy Was the Birthplace of Antiquity. The Renaissance began in Italy, the birthplace of the Roman Empire. Following the fall of the empire in the 4th century, and the subsequent dark ages, the incredible art and ideas of Roman times were temporarily lost.

What were 3 areas in which Renaissance achievements were made?

Some major developments of the Renaissance include astronomy, humanist philosophy, the printing press, vernacular language in writing, painting and sculpture technique, world exploration and, in the late Renaissance, Shakespeare's works.

What are the stages of Renaissance?

The Four Main Stages of the Italian Renaissance were the Proto Renaissance, the Early Renaissance, the High Renaissance and the Venetian Renaissance.

What are the 4 periods of history?

The four periods of history are as follows:Ancient Times (600 B.C. to 476 A.D.)The Middle Ages (476 A.D. to 1450 A.D.)Early Modern Era (1450-A.D. to 1750 A.D.)Modern Era (1750 A.D to Present)

What are the three stages of Renaissance architecture?

The three stages of Renaissance architecture are: Early (c. 1400), High (c. 1500), and Late Renaissance (c. 1520).

What does “Renaissance” mean?

Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth.” It refers to a period in European civilization that was marked by a revival of Classical learning a...

When did the Renaissance happen?

There is some debate over the actual start of the Renaissance. However, it is generally believed to have begun in Italy during the 14th century, af...

Who are some important people of the Renaissance?

Prominent figures of the Renaissance included philosopher and statesman Niccolò Machiavelli, known for the political treatise The Prince; Francis B...

What is Renaissance art?

One of the fields that embodied the Renaissance was fine art, especially painting and sculpture. Works from this period were inspired by Classical...

What does “Renaissance man” mean?

The idea of a Renaissance man developed in Italy and derived from Leon Battista Alberti’s notion that “a man can do all things if he will.” The ide...

What was the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages. Generally described as taking place from the 14th century to the 17th century, the Renaissance promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art. Some of the greatest thinkers, authors, statesmen, ...

Where did the Renaissance start?

The Renaissance started in Florence, Italy, a place with a rich cultural history where wealthy citizens could afford to support budding artists. Members of the powerful Medici family, which ruled Florence for more than 60 years, were famous backers of the movement.

What was the Renaissance credited with?

The Renaissance is credited with bridging the gap between the Middle Ages and modern-day civilization.

What were the most important works of the Renaissance?

Some of the most famous artistic works that were produced during the Renaissance include: 1 The Mona Lisa (Da Vinci) 2 The Last Supper (Da Vinci) 3 Statue of David (Michelangelo) 4 The Birth of Venus (Botticelli) 5 The Creation of Adam (Michelangelo)

What was the dark era?

Also known as the “Dark Ages,” the era is often branded as a time of war, ignorance, famine and pandemics such as the Black Death.

Who was the most famous Renaissance artist?

Renaissance Geniuses. Some of the most famous and groundbreaking Renaissance intellectuals, artists, scientists and writers include the likes of: Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519): Italian painter, architect, inventor, and “Renaissance man” responsible for painting “The Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.

Who promoted the renewal of traditional Greek and Roman culture and values?

As a result of this advance in communication, little-known texts from early humanist authors such as those by Francesco Petrarch and Giovanni Boccaccio, which promoted the renewal of traditional Greek and Roman culture and values, were printed and distributed to the masses.

When did the Renaissance start?

There is some debate over the actual start of the Renaissance. However, it is generally believed to have begun in Italy during the 14th century, after the end of the Middle Ages, and reached its height in the 15th century. The Renaissance spread to the rest of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

What is the Renaissance?

Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth.”. It refers to a period in European civilization that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom. The Renaissance saw many contributions to different fields, including new scientific laws, new forms of art and architecture, and new religious and political ideas.

What was the Middle Ages?

The term Middle Ages was coined by scholars in the 15th century to designate the interval between the downfall of the Classical world of Greece and Rome and its rediscovery at the beginning of their own century, a revival in which they felt they were participating. Indeed, the notion of a long period of cultural darkness had been expressed by Petrarch even earlier. Events at the end of the Middle Ages, particularly beginning in the 12th century, set in motion a series of social, political, and intellectual transformations that culminated in the Renaissance. These included the increasing failure of the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire to provide a stable and unifying framework for the organization of spiritual and material life, the rise in importance of city-states and national monarchies, the development of national languages, and the breakup of the old feudal structures.

What are some examples of Renaissance man?

Leonardo da Vinci is a leading example of a Renaissance man, noted for his achievements in art, science, music, invention, and writing. Humanism. Learn more about humanism. A brief treatment of the Renaissance follows. For full treatment, see Europe, history of: The Renaissance.

What were the works of the Renaissance known for?

Works from this period were inspired by Classical Greek and Roman art and were known for their grace, harmony, and beauty. Artists worked from the living model and perfected techniques such as the use of perspective. In addition, the Renaissance saw the refinement of mediums, notably oils.

What was the birthplace of the Renaissance?

Overview of Florence, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Renaissance, (French: “Rebirth”) period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages and conventionally held to have been characterized by a surge of interest in Classical scholarship and values. The Renaissance also witnessed the discovery ...

Who were the most important artists of the Renaissance?

In addition, the Renaissance saw the refinement of mediums, notably oils. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael are widely considered the leading artists of the period. Read more below: Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci. Learn more about Leonardo da Vinci, a well-known Renaissance artist.

When was the Renaissance?

The Renaissance Period is ranked among the most influential periods in the history of Europe, and it took place between 1300 and 1700. It is considered as the cultural link from the middle Ages to modern history.

Where Did the Renaissance Begin?

Historians agree that the Renaissance originated in Italy, but they disagree on the particular time it began. Several theories have been put forward to explain why the period commenced in Italy and why it began at the time it did. The wealth of Italy was greatly expanded in the 14th to the 16th centuries by extending trade into Europe and Asia. Tyrol prospered from silver mining while Venice and Genoa had an abundance of luxuries from the Eastern world. Artists relied on patrons to fund their artistic ventures, and the prosperity of Italy put money in the patrons' hands. In the late middle Ages, Italy was constituted of city states and territories which had a degree of political freedom that enabled artistic and academic advancement. The existence of such Merchant Republics such as Venice and Florence ensured there was a constant flow of money. The Black Death has also been suggested as one of the factors which triggered the Renaissance. Italy registered a lot of deaths during the plague, and the subsequent familiarity with death led scholars to dwell more on their existence on Earth rather than on the afterlife and spirituality. The Renaissance began in Florence in particular, and historians have suggested that this was because of the presence of wealth and generous patrons or it was due to luck.

What Were the Contributions of the Renaissance?

Painters such as Leonardo da Vinci depicted the human anatomy and contributed to the understanding of the human form. Painters such as Jan van Eyck as well as Hugo van der Goes adopted the use of oil paint and canvas and also popularized the technique of naturalism. The Renaissance style of architecture revived some elements of ancient Roman and Greek architecture. Renaissance literature, unlike earlier literature, focused on human behaviors and characteristics. Significant science and engineering breakthroughs also took place during the Renaissance period including the invention of telescopes, spectacles, printing, gunpowder, the mariner's compass, paper, and clocks. New musical instruments such as the violin and the harpsichord gave birth to the opera and composers sought to make music with an emotional effect. Other Renaissance developments include the rise of Protestantism, the growth of a capitalist market economy in place of feudalism, and the discovery of the New World attributed to Columbus.

How did the Renaissance influence Europe?

The scholars achieved this by interpreting, expanding, and improving classical values and philosophies, creating their styles of art, and triggering a scientific and philosophical inquiry. The influence of the Renaissance was evident in religion, music, literature, politics, philosophy, science, and art . Renaissance scholars adopted humanism in their studies.

How did the Renaissance impact civilization?

The Renaissance Period had an enduring impact on civilization. The developments in geography and science enabled people to understand the Earth and the Universe better. The printing press is among the most notable inventions, and it enabled the ideas of scholars to become accessible to the public and promoted education.

What was the Renaissance style?

The Renaissance style of architecture revived some elements of ancient Roman and Greek architecture. Renaissance literature, unlike earlier literature, focused on human behaviors and characteristics. Significant science and engineering breakthroughs also took place during the Renaissance period including the invention of telescopes, spectacles, ...

What were the major developments in the Renaissance?

Other Renaissance developments include the rise of Protestantism, the growth of a capitalist market economy in place of feudalism, and the discovery of the New World attributed to Columbus.

Where did the Renaissance originate?

It is considered to have originated in Italy.

What Was the Renaissance?

Essentially, it was a cultural and intellectual movement, intimately tied to society and politics, of the late 14th to early 17th centuries, although it is commonly restricted to just the 15th and 16th centuries. It is considered to have originated in Italy. Traditionally people have claimed it was stimulated, in part, by Petrarch, who had a passion for rediscovering lost manuscripts and a fierce belief in the civilizing power of ancient thought and in part by conditions in Florence.

What did the Renaissance believe?

Renaissance literally means ‘rebirth’, and Renaissance thinkers believed the period between themselves and the fall of Rome, which they labeled the Middle Ages, had seen a decline in cultural achievement compared with the earlier eras. Participants intended, through the study of classical texts, textual criticism, and classical techniques, ...

What was the Renaissance art movement?

Renaissance Art. There were Renaissance movements in architecture, literature, poetry, drama, music, metals, textiles and furniture, but the Renaissance is perhaps best known for its art. Creative endeavor became viewed as a form of knowledge and achievement, not simply a way of decoration.

How did the Renaissance spread?

From its origins in Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, the ideas changing and evolving to match local conditions, sometimes linking into existing cultural booms, although still keeping the same core. Trade, marriage, diplomats, scholars, the use of giving artists to forge links, even military invasions, all aided the circulation. Historians now tend to break the Renaissance down into smaller, geographic, groups such as the Italian Renaissance, The English Renaissance, the Northern Renaissance (a composite of several countries) etc. There are also works which talk about the Renaissance as a phenomenon with global reach, influencing – and being influenced by – the east, Americas, and Africa.

What was the first expression of the Renaissance?

Perhaps the earliest expression of the Renaissance was in humanism, an intellectual approach which developed among those being taught a new form of curriculum: the studia humanitatis, which challenged the previously dominant Scholastic thinking.

What was the Carolingian Renaissance?

There was the Carolingian Renaissance in the eighth to ninth centuries and a major one in the “Twelfth Century Renaissance”, which saw Greek science and philosophy returned to European consciousness and the development of a new way of thinking which mixed science and logic called Scholasticism.

What is the Renaissance?

The Renaissance refers to the period in European history between the 14 th and 17 th centuries. As a historical era, the Renaissance was preceded by the Middle Ages, and succeeded by the early modern period. Alternatively, the Renaissance is considered more of an intellectual and cultural movement, rather than a historical period.

Where did the Renaissance take place?

The Renaissance in Germany, on the other hand, was quite different from that of Italy and France. The Renaissance spread to that area of Europe around the second half of the 15 th century, and subsequently became intertwined with the Protestant Reformation of the early 16 th century.

Why were the Medicis important to the Renaissance?

The Medicis, as well as other noble families of the Italian city-states, needed to legitimize their new social and political status, and were keen to display their wealth. As these nobles were also heavily influenced by humanism, they decided to do this through the arts and culture. Thus, these powerful families became important patrons of the arts, and it was their great wealth that funded the Renaissance. As humanists, the Italian nobles had no qualms in drawing inspiration from both the pagan classical world, as well as from Christianity. Whilst the former allowed these nobles to link themselves with the lost glories of ancient Greece and Rome, the latter displayed their piety. Thus, the works of art of the Renaissance had both paganism and Christianity as their subject matter. For instance, at the same time Raphael was painting The School of Athens , Michelangelo was painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel , both are considered some of the best Renaissance artworks to be completed by two of the most influential artists.

What does the term Renaissance mean?

Death Before Rebirth. Since the word ‘renaissance’ means ‘rebirth’, it must naturally follow that the era preceding it was a period of ‘death’. Not only does this contrast enhance the meaning of the term the ‘Renaissance’, but it also serves to heighten the significance of this moment in history. One of the negative effects ...

What is the second era of art?

The ‘Second Age’ deals with the 15 th century , and includes such artists as Masaccio, Donatello, and Brunelleschi. The ‘Third Age’ deals with Vasari’s own lifetime, i.e. the first half of the 16 th century, and includes such artists as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

What is the rebirth of Europe?

On the one hand, it may be taken specifically to mean the ‘re-discovery’ of classical texts and learning, and their application in the sciences and arts.

Where did the word Renaissance come from?

The word ‘renaissance’ comes from the French language , and simply means ‘rebirth’. This term was made popular by the 19 th century French historian Jules Michelet, and became current in the English language during that time. This concept was further developed by Jacob Burckhardt, a Swiss historian who lived around the same time as Michelet. We owe our modern perception of the Renaissance largely to these two historians. The so-called ‘rebirth’ of Europe may be considered from two different angles. On the one hand, it may be taken specifically to mean the ‘re-discovery’ of classical texts and learning, and their application in the sciences and arts. On the other, it may refer more generally to the ‘revitalization’ of Europe as a result of such activities.

What is the Elizabethan period?

In a tradition of literature remarkable for its exacting and brilliant achievements, the Elizabethan and early Stuart periods have been said to represent the most brilliant century of all. (The reign of Elizabeth I began in 1558 ...

Which period of history is the most brilliant?

In a tradition of literature remarkable for its exacting and brilliant achievements, the Elizabethan and early Stuart periods have been said to represent the most brilliant century of all. (The reign of Elizabeth I began in 1558 and ended with her death in 1603; she was succeeded by the Stuart king James VI of Scotland, ...

How did the religious revolution affect the 16th century?

The majority of people were more immediately affected by the religious revolutions of the 16th century. A person in early adulthood at the accession of Elizabeth in 1558 would, by her death in 1603, have been vouchsafed an unusually disillusioning insight into the duty owed by private conscience to the needs of the state. The Tudor church hierarchy was an instrument of social and political control, yet the mid-century controversies over the faith had already wrecked any easy confidence in the authority of doctrines and forms and had taught people to inquire carefully into the rationale of their own beliefs (as John Donne does in his third satire [c. 1596]). The Elizabethan ecclesiastical compromise was the object of continual criticism, from radicals both within (who desired progressive reforms, such as the abolition of bishops) and without (who desired the return of England to the Roman Catholic fold), but the incipient liberalism of individuals such as John Milton and the scholar and churchman William Chillingworth was held in check by the majority’s unwillingness to tolerate a plurality of religions in a supposedly unitary state. Nor was the Calvinist orthodoxy that cradled most English writers comforting, for it told them that they were corrupt, unfree, unable to earn their own salvations, and subject to heavenly judgments that were arbitrary and absolute. Calvinism deeply affects the world of the Jacobean tragedies, whose heroes are not masters of their fates but victims of divine purposes that are terrifying yet inscrutable.

What happened in England in the 1620s?

In this period England’s population doubled; prices rocketed, rents followed, old social loyalties dissolved, and new industrial, agricultural, and commercial veins were first tapped. Real wages hit an all-time low in the 1620s, and social relations were plunged into a state of fluidity from which the merchant and the ambitious lesser gentleman profited at the expense of the aristocrat and the labourer, as satires and comedies current from the 1590s complain. Behind the Elizabethan vogue for pastoral poetry lies the fact of the prosperity of the enclosing sheep farmer, who sought to increase pasture at the expense of the peasantry. Tudor platitudes about order and degree could neither combat nor survive the challenge posed to rank by these arrivistes. The position of the crown, politically dominant yet financially insecure, had always been potentially unstable, and, when Charles I lost the confidence of his greater subjects in the 1640s, his authority crumbled. Meanwhile, the huge body of poor fell ever further behind the rich; the pamphlets of Thomas Harman (1566) and Robert Greene (1591–92), as well as Shakespeare ’s King Lear (1605–06), provide glimpses of a horrific world of vagabondage and crime, the Elizabethans’ biggest, unsolvable social problem.

What era preceded the Renaissance?

Learn more about the Middle Ages, the era that preceded the Renaissance.

How long did the High Renaissance last?

High Renaissance art, which flourished for about 35 years, from the early 1490s to 1527, when Rome was sacked by imperial troops, revolves around three towering figures: Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), Michelangelo (1475–1564), and Raphael (1483–1520).

What are the characteristics of Renaissance art, and how does it differ from the art of the Middle Ages?

Renaissance art is marked by a gradual shift from the abstract forms of the medieval period to the representational forms of the 15th century. Subjects grew from mostly biblical scenes to include portraits, episodes from Classical religion, and events from contemporary life. Human figures are often rendered in dynamic poses, showing expression, using gesture, and interacting with one another. They are not flat but suggest mass, and they often occupy a realistic landscape, rather than stand against a gold background as some figures do in the art of the Middle Ages. Renaissance art from Northern Europe emphasized precise detail as a means of achieving a realistic work.

How did humanism and religion affect Renaissance art?

Although Renaissance culture was becoming increasingly secular, religion was still important to daily life, especially in Italy, where the seat of Catholicism was located. A good portion of Renaissance art depicted scenes from the Bible or was commissioned by the church. Emphasis on naturalism, however, placed such figures as Christ and the Madonna not on a magnificent gold background, as in the Middle Ages, but in landscapes from the observable world.

What made Renaissance art revolutionary?

The developments of the Renaissance period changed the course of art in ways that continue to resonate. Interest in humanism transformed the artist from an anonymous craftsman to an individual practicing an intellectual pursuit, enabling several to become the first celebrity artists. A growing mercantile class offered artists new patrons that requested novel subjects, notably portraits and scenes from contemporary life. Moreover, scientific observations and Classical studies contributed to some of the most realistic representations of the human figure in art history. Figures have accurate anatomy, stand naturally through the Classical scheme of contrapposto, and have a sense of mass, an accomplishment made easier by the flexibility of oil paint, a medium that was gaining popularity. They also occupy believable space—an achievement based on the development of linear perspective and atmospheric perspective, illusionistic devices to suggest depth on a two-dimensional surface.

How did the Renaissance change art?

The developments of the Renaissance period changed the course of art in ways that continue to resonate. Interest in humanism transformed the artist from an anonymous craftsman to an individual practicing an intellectual pursuit, enabling several to become the first celebrity artists.

Who was the founder of the Renaissance?

The founder of Renaissance painting was Masaccio (1404–28). The intellectuality of his conceptions, the monumentality of his compositions, and the high degree of naturalism in his works mark Masaccio as a pivotal figure in Renaissance painting.

image

Overview

Where Did The Renaissance Begin?

  • Historians agree that the Renaissance originated in Italy, but they disagree on the particular time it began. Several theories have been put forward to explain why the period commenced in Italy and why it began at the time it did. The wealth of Italy was greatly expanded in the 14th to the 16th centuries by extending trade into Europe and Asia. Tyr...
See more on worldatlas.com

What Were The Contributions of The Renaissance?

  • Renaissance art leaned towards realism, and it contained perspective. Painters such as Leonardo da Vinci depicted the human anatomy and contributed to the understanding of the human form. Painters such as Jan van Eyck as well as Hugo van der Goes adopted the use of oil paint and canvas and also popularized the technique of naturalism. The Renaissance style of architecture …
See more on worldatlas.com

How Did The Renaissance Influence The World?

  • The Renaissance Period had an enduring impact on civilization. The developments in geography and science enabled people to understand the Earth and the Universe better. The printing press is among the most notable inventions, and it enabled the ideas of scholars to become accessible to the public and promoted education. The elements of the Renaissance period set the foundation …
See more on worldatlas.com

What Was The Renaissance?

Image
There remains debate about what exactly constituted the Renaissance. Essentially, it was a cultural and intellectual movement, intimately tied to society and politics, of the late 14th to early 17th centuries, although it is commonly restricted to just the 15th and 16th centuries. It is considered to have originated in Italy. Traditional…
See more on thoughtco.com

The Renaissance Period

  • “Renaissance” can also refer to the period, c. 1400 – c. 1600. “High Renaissance” generally refers to c. 1480 – c. 1520. The era was dynamic, with European explorers “finding” new continents, the transformation of trading methods and patterns, the decline of feudalism (in so far as it ever existed), scientific developments such as the Copernican sy...
See more on thoughtco.com

Why Was This Renaissance Different?

  • Classical culture had never totally vanished from Europe, and it experienced sporadic rebirths. There was the Carolingian Renaissance in the eighth to ninth centuries and a major one in the “Twelfth Century Renaissance”, which saw Greek science and philosophy returned to European consciousness and the development of a new way of thinking which mixed science and logic cal…
See more on thoughtco.com

The Society and Politics Behind The Renaissance

  • Across the fourteenth century, and perhaps before, the old social and political structures of the medieval period broke down, allowing new concepts to rise. A new elite emerged, with new models of thought and ideas to justify themselves; what they found in classical antiquity was something to use both as a prop and a tool for their aggrandizement. Exiting elites matched the…
See more on thoughtco.com

The Spread of The Renaissance

  • From its origins in Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, the ideas changing and evolving to match local conditions, sometimes linking into existing cultural booms, although still keeping the same core. Trade, marriage, diplomats, scholars, the use of giving artists to forge links, even military invasions, all aided the circulation. Historians now tend to break the Renaissance down i…
See more on thoughtco.com

The End of The Renaissance

  • Some historians argue that the Renaissance ended in the 1520s, some the 1620s. The Renaissance didn’t just stop, but its core ideas gradually converted into other forms, and new paradigms arose, particularly during the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. It would be hard to argue we are still in the Renaissance (as you can do with the Enlightenment), as cultu…
See more on thoughtco.com

The Interpretation of The Renaissance

  • The term ‘renaissance’ actually dates from the nineteenth century and has been heavily debated ever since, with some historians questioning whether it’s even a useful word anymore. Early historians described a clear intellectual break with the medieval era, but in recent decades scholarship has turned to recognize growing continuity from the centuries before, suggesting th…
See more on thoughtco.com

Renaissance Art

  • There were Renaissance movements in architecture, literature, poetry, drama, music, metals, textiles and furniture, but the Renaissance is perhaps best known for its art. Creative endeavor became viewed as a form of knowledge and achievement, not simply a way of decoration. Art was now to be based on observation of the real world, applying mathematics and optics to achieve …
See more on thoughtco.com

Renaissance Humanism

  • Perhaps the earliest expression of the Renaissance was in humanism, an intellectual approach which developed among those being taught a new form of curriculum: the studia humanitatis, which challenged the previously dominant Scholastic thinking. Humanists were concerned with the features of human nature and attempts by man to master nature rather than develop religiou…
See more on thoughtco.com

Politics and Liberty

  • The Renaissance used to be regarded as pushing forward a new desire for liberty and republicanism - rediscovered in works about the Roman Republic—even though many of the Italian city-states were taken over by individual rulers. This view has come under close scrutiny by historians and partly rejected, but it did cause some Renaissance thinkers to agitate for greater r…
See more on thoughtco.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9