Italy: The Birthplace of the Renaissance

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• Italy The Birthplace of the Renaissance

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Cultural Revivals 1300-1400s

• CHINA
• Ming Dynasty 1368
• Promotion of Chinese culture (Mongols expelled)
• Confucian Education
• Yongles Encyclopedia
• Zheng He (cultural exchanges / promoted Chinese
  goods)

• WESTERN EUROPE
• Renaissance (Rebirth) in post-Plague, post-Middle
  Ages era
• Artistic, Intellectual, Creative rebirth
• Classical rebirth (Greece Rome) in art,
  sculpture, literature, philosophy)
• Urban society again
• Strong Political Authorities (begin looking
  outward / exploration)

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The Renaissance Rebirth

• Europe had suffered years of war and plague
• Many wanted a rebirth in classical culture, arts,
  and learning
• Italy became the center of the Renaissance for 3
  reasons
• Urban Centers people exchanged ideas easily in
  large cities. The plague stopped many merchant
  businesses many turned to art and learning
• Merchants Wealthy people who dominated
  politics.
• Classical Heritage Wanted to return to the
  greatness of Ancient Greece and Rome.

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Renaissance Values

• Many studied Humanism focus on human potential
  and achievements, not just Christian teachings
• Enjoying worldly pleasures
• Patrons of the arts (those wealthy enough to
  donate to artists)
• Many wanted to become a Renaissance Man (a
  universal man one who mastered every area of
  study)

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Renaissance Artwork

• Realistic styles
• Greek and Roman subjects became popular
• Many well-known artists
• Michelangelo glorified the human body
• Donatello Realistic sculptures with posture and
  personality
• Leonardo da Vinci Sculptor, inventor,
  interested in how things work
• Well-known works include the Mona Lisa and the
  Last Supper

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Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa
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Vanishing Point

• Mastered the technique of a Vanishing Point
  which is a perspective based on an illusion
• As parallel lines stretch from the viewer, they
  seem to draw together until they meet at a spot
  on the horizon

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The Sistine Chapel - Michelangelo
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Renaissance Sculpture
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Renaissance Literature

• Niccolo Machiavelli Wrote The Prince
• Examined imperfect conduct of humans
• Said that most are selfish and corrupt
• To be successful, a leader must trick his enemies
  and his own people for the good of the state
• Not concerned with morals but what was effective