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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,

scientists and artists in human history thrived during
this era, while global exploration opened up new lands
and cultures to European commerce. The Renaissance
is credited with bridging the gap between the Middle
Ages and modern-day civilization.

The School of Athens (1509–1511) by Raphael

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 From Darkness to Light: The Renaissance Begins
During the Middle Ages, a period that took place
between the fall of ancient Rome in 476 A.D. and the
beginning of the 14th century, Europeans made few
advances in science and art.

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.

Some historians, however, believe that such grim

depictions of the Middle Ages were greatly
exaggerated, though many agree that there was
relatively little regard for ancient Greek and Roman
philosophies and learning at the time. Military and religious life in the Middle Ages and at the period of the Renaissance (1870)

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 Humanism
During the 14th century, a cultural movement called humanism Humanism centered around its emphasis on an individual’s social
potential and agency.
began to gain momentum in Italy. Among its many principles, This way of thinking viewed human beings as a worthwhile
humanism promoted the idea that man was the center of his own foundation for significant
universe, and people should embrace human achievements in moral and philosophical investigation.
education, classical arts, literature and science.

In 1450, the invention of the Gutenberg printing press allowed

for improved communication throughout Europe and for ideas to
spread more quickly.
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.

Additionally, many scholars believe advances in international

finance and trade impacted culture in Europe and set the stage for
the Renaissance.

Diagram of Humanist Cosmography, 1585; Gerard de Jode,

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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 Medici Family

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.

Great Italian writers, artists, politicians and others declared that they
were participating in an intellectual and artistic revolution that
would be much different from what they experienced during the
Dark Ages.
The movement first expanded to other Italian city-states, such as
Venice, Milan, Bologna, Ferrara and Rome. Then, during the 15th
century, Renaissance ideas spread from Italy to France and then View of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance

throughout western and northern Europe.

Although other European countries experienced their Renaissance

later than Italy, the impacts were still revolutionary.

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 The Renaissance Began in the 14th Century
Emerging around 1350 A.D., the Renaissance period began roughly 720 years ago when people in Europe began taking a renewed interest in the
ancient Roman and Greek civilizations and cultures. The Renaissance movement looked to restore the ideas, art styles, and learning of these
two cultures and aptly viewed the period to be a restoration of these concepts.
Thus, the movement was given the name “the Renaissance”, which is the French word for “rebirth”.

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As humanism challenged Europeans to question their own
role within society,
the role of the Roman Catholic church was also questioned.

Instead of depending on the will of God, humanists

encouraged people to act according to their own
capabilities in a variety of areas.
With the Renaissance developing, many more people
had learned how to read, write,and therefore interpret
ideas.
This gave individuals a chance to have their own voice
heard, as it led to them closely
examining and critiquing religion as they knew it.

Six Tuscan Poets (1659) by Giorgio Vasari, featuring Humanists (from left to right)

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 Something that helped in the development of
humanism was the creation of the printing press
by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450. The
introduction of a mobile printing press went on
to transform communication and publication in
Europe, as it allowed ideas to be spread at a
rapid rate.

As a result, texts like the Bible were easily generated

and distributed amongst society, which marked the
first time that most individuals read the Bible
themselves.

he School of Athens (1509-1511) by Raphael, fresco at the Raphael Rooms,

Apostolic Palace, Vatican City; Raphael, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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 he Height of the Renaissance Was Called the
“High Renaissance”
The term “High Renaissance” was used to denote the
period that was considered to be the height of the
entire Renaissance movement, as it produced the
most notable artworks during this time. Some of the
most iconic artists to come from the whole
Renaissance period were said to have emerged from
the High Renaissance era specifically.

These great artists included Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and

Raphael, who were known as the holy trinity of Renaissance painters.
Three of the most well-known and celebrated paintings and sculptures
in history were produced by these three artists during the High
Renaissance, namely: Statue of David (1501 – 1504) by Michelangelo, Mona
Lisa (1503) by da Vinci, and The School of Athens (1509 – 1511) by Raphael.
Known to be a time of exceptional artistic production, the High
Renaissance lasted for about 35 years between the early 1490s to 1527.

An anatomical study by Leonardo da Vinci, from Historical memoirs on the life,

studies, and works of Leonardo da Vinci, 1804; Carlo Amoretti, Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons

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 Paintings, Drawings, and Sculptures Were the Main
Art Forms That Emerged
When looking at the kind of art that was created, Renaissance
artists typically chose to draw, paint, and sculpt extraordinarily
realistic and three-dimensional figures. This was because artists
often studied the human body in considerable detail and were able
to accurately reflect their knowledge in their artworks.

It was a well-known fact that da Vinci and Michelangelo used to

frequently dissect cadaver bodies before creating their remarkable
artworks.

David (Michelangelo)

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 The Last Judgment at the end of the chapel

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 Leonardo da Vinci

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 THE GOLDEN RATIO

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 Leonardo da Vinci’S LAST SUPPER

Leonardo da Vinci’S MONA LISA

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 Florence Cathedral, Italy

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 End of the Renaissance
Scholars believe the demise of the Renaissance was the result
of several compounding factors.
By the end of the 15th century, numerous wars had plagued the
Italian peninsula. Spanish, French and German invaders battling
for Italian territories caused disruption and instability in the
region.
Also, changing trade routes led to a period of economic decline
and limited the amount of money that wealthy contributors
could spend on the arts.
Later, in a movement known as the Counter-Reformation, the
Catholic church censored artists and writers in response to the
Protestant Reformation. Many Renaissance thinkers feared
being too bold, which stifled creativity.
Furthermore, in 1545, the Council of Trent established the
Roman Inquisition, which made humanism and any views that
challenged the Catholic church an act of heresy punishable by
death.
By the early 17th century, the Renaissance movement had died
out, giving way to the Age of Enlightenment.

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 Sources
The Renaissance, History World International.
The Renaissance – Why it Changed the World, The Telegraph.
Facts About the Renaissance, Biography Online.
Facts About the Renaissance Period, Interestingfacts.org.
What is Humanism? International Humanist and Ethical Union.
Why Did the Italian Renaissance End? Dailyhistory.org.
The Myth of the Renaissance in Europe, BBC.

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