Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

A. Determining Main Ideas As you read about the rebirth of learning and the arts in Italy, write notes to answer the questions.

In Italy, thriving urban centers, a wealthy merchant class, and the classical heritage of Greece and Rome encouraged the development of new ideas and values. 

1. How did humanism influence the growth of learning?	intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements. Popularized classical tradition.
2. How did ideas about piety and a simple life change?	More people had nice houses and lavish lifestyles. Many owned fancy things such as mansions.
3. What role did patrons of the arts play in the development of Renaissance ideas?	They financially supported artists by spending huge amounts on art for Rome and other cities.

Styles in art and literature changed as artists and writers emphasized the individual. 

4. What effects did the emphasis on individuals have on painters and sculptors?	Painters began to paint prominent citizens. The painting revealed what was distinctive about each person. Natural postures and expressions were revealed in sculptures.
5. How did writers reflect Renaissance values in their work?	Renaissance writers wrote either for self-expression or to portray the individuality of their subjects.
6. How did the writing of Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Machiavelli demonstrate the values of humanism?	They wrote with a style related to classical tradition.

B. Summarizing On the back of this paper, define Renaissance, humanism, per- spective, and vernacular.

• Renaissance- movement that started in Italy caused an explosion of creativity in art, writing, and thought that lasted approximately from 1300 to 1600.

• humanism- The study of classical texts.

• perspective- shows three dimensions on a flat surface.

• vernacular- native language.

TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.

• Renaissance- movement that started in Italy caused an explosion of creativity in art, writing, and thought that lasted approximately from 1300 to 1600.

• humanism- The study of classical texts.

• secular- worldly rather than spiritual and concerned

with the here and now.

• patron- financially supporting artists.

• perspective- shows three dimensions on a flat surface.

• vernacular- native language.

2. Discuss which of Italy’s advantages was most important for creating the Renaissance. Why?

The explosion of writing and art because that's what this period was about.

MAIN IDEAS

3. What are some of the characteristics of the “Renaissance man” and “Renaissance woman”?  

Charming, educated, women were supposed to inspire art, men were supposed to dance and play music.

4. How did Italy’s cities help to make it the birthplace of the Renaissance?

They were filled with art.

5. What was the attitude of Church leaders and the wealthy toward the arts? Why?

They liked it and tried to fill cities with it. Wealthy demonstrated their own importance.