The European Renaissance

- The European Renaissance

Writer

5 December , 2007

Introduction

In a cultural period fraught with new ideas and discoveries , the renaissance culturally ushered in a new form of humanist intellect and creativity . Amidst social turmoil and religious conflicts , a wide range of advancement is seen in artistic perspectives following religious patronage and backing . The humanist characteristics of men became more pronounced as societies began to study the rational transformation of human values . The medieval idea of God spanning through years of religious belief drastically changed as men and women were

more inclined to value self-worth and free will . In effect although men were still deeply religious , a rising individualism and desire for material goods raised skepticism which developed men 's interest to explore the world The affirmation of human capacities for art , religious and political thought , science and invention , individualism among others catered in a period of new discoveries while setting the stage for our modern world

B1 . Art

The works of great artists during the Renaissance period is topped by the versatility of Michelangelo Buonaroti of Florence whose proof of mastery and talent is seen in the ceilings and frescoes of the Sistine Chapel , in the Vatican . With the religious and political power held by the Roman Catholic Church , Leonardo da Vinci campaigned for the rising status of artists in the society . In a manner highly consistent with his belief , Da Vinci painted portraits including those of rich patrons and families following the footsteps of other early renaissance artists like Boticelli and Massacio according to Lamm and Cross (p .39 Lamm and Croos added that other known artists like Bramante , Raphael Sangallo and Maderno greatly contributed their architectural genius to the splendor of Rome (p . 43 . The splendid artistic designs of many renaissance artists create immense influence in modern architecture that can withstand the test of time . Many of our modern edifices still adapt the standards initially made popular during the period of renaissance

B2 . Literature

The rediscovery of antiquity became a true cultural movement in this period that saw a great revival of Greek and Roman thinkers , classical ethics and politics took in a form of art that strived to sell ideas devoted to justice and wisdom . Lorenzo Valla mastered and scholarly translated the works of Thucydides , criticized Cicero and many others according to Lamm and Cross (p . 11 . Valla 's helpful translations allowed an influential atmosphere for Mirandola 's orations and definitions of humanism and man 's virtues that was also further exemplified by Da Vinci . Although humanism in itself was a method of learning and not necessarily a philosophy preached by Valla and other authors and poets , asserted a kind of reasoning that implied on the philosophy of justice . Famous works of Dante (Divine Comedy , Sir Thomas More (Utopia , Machiavelli (The Prince , Cervantes (Don Quixote and Shakespeare according to Scaife (p .105 ) typically believed that justice can be obtained when sought without necessarily resorting to physical revenge . This dual study of antiquity provided renaissance profound eloquence...