1.1 What is Renaissance? ( 文藝復興 ) Literally means Rebirth ( 重生 ) Rebirth in Greco-roman Culture (Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Culture) 14th-17th Century (A time period) It lead to a great impact to European Development Renaissance is a time period of rebirth of Greco-roman culture in Europe during the 14th-17th century. 1.2 Humanism ( 人文主義 ) Humans were placed in the centre/middle of the universe Emphasized that human needs, values and talents were more important that religion Major belief and orginated during Renaissance People start to discuss and become more interested in human affairs and secular ( 世俗 ) matters instead of religious/non-secular matters Inquiring minds started to be emphasized People began to value the use of reason, instead of blindly following rules of the church Humanism is a concept where humans were placed in the centre of the universe and their idea and matters is more important than religious matters. 1.3 Causes of Renaissance The Black Death The church claimed if the citizens buy indulgence ( 贖罪券 ), they will not suffer from black death but it is totally wrong because black death is a biological disease instead of a religious disease. Decline of Church People disbelief the church because they cannot solve the problem of black death, the church is being corrupted. LS Hub Page 1 of 13
Impact on Crusaders Crusaders went to the East and bring back some knowledges and technology Meanwhile, crusaders come back and escape to towns, lead to decline of feudalism Decline of Feudalism Due to the black death, there is a huge population decrease of commoners Nobles and Knights were dead during Baron s War and Eastern Crusades King s position is being challenged due to Baron s War Spread of Eastern Knowledge Crusaders came back from the east and bring different knowledges and skills coming from the east (E.g. Telescope, globe, artwork ) Rise of Towns and Middle Classes People escape to towns and become freeman Crusaders earn money by selling artworks from the east Spent more time on supporting art, science and architecture Rise of University Universities were set up at 12th century keeping large collection of books Not controlled by church and more people were being educated Inquiry mind and science were developed -> Humanism 1.4 Features and Impacts of Renaissance - Art and Sculpture Famous Artist during the Renaissance: Leonardo Da Vinci Michelangelo Raphael Mona Lisa (Drawn by Leonardo Da Vinci) The Vitruvian Man (Drawn by Leonardo Da Vinci) LS Hub Page 2 of 13
LS Hub The Last Supper (By Leonardo Da Vinci) The Creation of Adam (By Michelangelo) Sistine Chapel Ceiling (Book of Genesis) (By Michelangelo) The School of Athens (By Raphael) The Pieta (By Michelangelo) The Moses (By Michelangelo) Theme of Medieval Art: Religion Theme of Renaissance Art: Human Affairs (Humanism) LS Hub Page 3 of 13
Styles and Techniques of Medieval and Renaissance Art Time Period Medieval Times Renaissance Realism ( 現實主義 ) Less Realistic More Realistic Surrealism ( 現實主義 ) Less Modern More Modern Use of Perspectives Less views, one-dimensional More views in terms of parallel lines Brightness Darker Not that dark Color Dull and old Oil painting, more classical and beautiful Light and Shadow Less light and shadow Shadow with realistic Use of Golden Ratio No Proportional in 1:1.618 Materials used Ordinary Materials Oil Paint, huge variety and different types Influences of Renaissance Art: Many significant artists (E.g. Da Vinci) became the role model and fundamental design for western art nowadays (I.e. Golden Ratio) Interpretation of An Art: What are the features of renaissance can be seen in this art? 1. Realism - The girl is more realistic 2. Use of perspectives - A background 3. Not dark at all, good background 4. Oil Paint, Classical and beautiful 5. Use of golden ratio (As shown in the golden sprawl on the picture) (Mona Lisa drawn by Da Vinci) 6. More about human affairs, non-religious elements LS Hub Page 4 of 13
LS Hub 1.5 Features and Impacts of Renaissance - Science Famous Scientists/Inventors during Renaissance: Copernicus (Astronomy) Galileo (Astronomy and Geography) Leonardo Da Vinci (Machinery) Gutenberg (Machinery) Issac Newton (Physics) (E.g. F=ma, gravitational force) By Copernicus - Revolutions of the Heavenly Orbs (Concept on Solar System) Medieval Age: The Earth is located in the center of the solar system. (Wrong Concept) (Geocentrism - 地心說) Renaissance: The Earth is not located in the center of the solar system. Instead, the sun is located in the center of the solar system. The Earth orbits the sun (Heliocentrism - 日心說, by Copernicus) Geometrical and Military Compass - Knowing the direction of the geography (Invented by Galileo) LS Hub First Astronomical Telescope - Telescope observing the astronomy and space (Invented by Galileo) Gutenberg Printing Press - To print and copy books in a fast and mass rate (Invented by Gutenberg) Page 5 of 13
Aerial Screw - A type of flying object (By Leonardo Da Vinci) Flying Machine - A type of original airplane (By Leonardo Da Vinci) Armored Car - A kind of fast moving militarial car (By Leonardo Da Vinci) 1.6 Features and Impacts of Renaissance - Mathematics and Golden Ratio The Discovery of the Golden Ratio Name Value Significance Phi 1:1.618 Define Standard of Beauty Everything in this ratio has the most comfortable and beautiful looking. This is beauty, it represents awesome. Golden Spiral (Method according to Fibonacci Sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34..) It is the application of golden ratio Application of Golden Ratio and Golden Spiral LS Hub Page 6 of 13
Impact of Golden Ratio Defined the Standard of Beauty Good-looking, looks comfortable, smooth, beautiful and eye-catching Through mathematics behind the golden spiral, the standard of beauty is defined as the golden ratio of 1:1.618 Application of Golden Ratio to different variations Mathematics Golden Rectangle, Golden Triangle, Golden Spiral, Pentagram, Golden Rhombi Golden Ratio - The most irrational number Biology Common patterns found in nature are in golden ratio Logic Behind: Things that we see in the nature are normal and look comfortable because their nature are in golden ratio Art Achieve balance and beauty in western art Applied to modern graphic design, architectural design, photo framing, music compositions.. More about Mathematics in Renaissance : Similar Triangles (Proportionality) Symmetry and Transformation (Axis of Symmetry) In golden ratio, looks confortable Not in golden ratio, looks ugly LS Hub Page 7 of 13
1.7 Features and Impacts of Renaissance - Literature The Decameron (By Boccaccio) - About 10 people escaping from black death The Divine Comedy (By Dante) - Shows the disparity between the rich and the poro, showing the appearance of social class and social division Influences of Literature in Renaissance - Spread of Knowledge Knowledges throughout Renaissance No longer controlled by the church Content not only limited to religion but also a huge variety like romance, adventure, criticism to church Books are written in different languages to let more people know how to read and learn Rise of Universities More people could study in universities People can discuss different topics and new concepts were created Movable-type Printing Press Invented by Gutenberg (1452) Can print books -> Copy and copy much -> Faster rate in printing books -> Books became cheaper and affordable for the public Rise of Humanism -> More people can learn and think Importance of education LS Hub Page 8 of 13
LS Hub 1.8 Features and Impacts of Renaissance - Architecture 3 Basic Properties of Renaissance Architecture Simiplicity Proportion (Golden Ratio, Shaped, Propotional, Similar Figures) Balance (Reflectional Symmetry) 4 Classical Elements of Renaissance Architecture Columns/Orders (柱) Dome (拱頂 + Round) Arches (拱門) Symmetry (對稱) Architectural Theme: Greco-roman Culture Emphasize on humans Statues - Represents humans LS Hub Page 9 of 13
Styles and Techniques (Properties of Renaissance Architecture) Symmetry Proportion Geometry Pillars Pediments Arches Dome Order Axis of Symmetry, reflectional/rotational Golden Ratio, Using similar figures Use more shapes (E.g. Dome - Spherical) Greco-roman style Columns Greco-roman style 山形牆 Arc, circular Spherical Complicated Material used in Renaissance Architecture: Stone Marbles ( 大理石 ) Stucco ( 灰泥 ) Terracota ( 紅陶 ) Influences of Architecture in Renaissance A long-term influence of development of European art and architecture: Influence to further European architecture (E.g. Neoclassicalism 新古典主義 ) and modern European Architecture (E.g. Contemporary art 現代主義藝術 ) Elements and style spread fast in America in 20th century LS Hub Page 10 of 13
1.9 Features and Impacts of Renaissance - Geography Voyages of Discovery (15-16th century): A time period of discovering the rest of the world Christopher Columbus - Discovered the Land of America Mercator World Map (1569) - The scale of the map is more accurate. (Adjusting a more accurate size of the arctic and antarctica) Impacts of Voyages of Discovery People were more curious in the world and other human places Start to explore more on the world, merchants expand their businesses, invested on explorers or even sailed by themselves I.e. Discovery of America, increases trading Explorers drew new world map - 4 oceans and 7 continents More correct map in accurate scale (I.e. Mercator World Map) New navigation method was invented Initiated the European Colonization of the new world People were free from church s believe and affected by humanism Expand their territories by rulers Influences of Voyages of Discovery Many sea routes and places were discovered European Colonization (E.g. Australia, India, U.S.) Global Business and Globalization is Possible Advanced technology in mapping developed (E.g. GPS Global Positioning System) LS Hub Page 11 of 13
1.10 The Renaissance Timeline Renaissance in World History Events in Renaissance 1.11 The Reformation During late middle ages, the church was corrupted and people disbelieve the church More people were educated in renaissance and developed critical thinking Humanism proved that traditional beliefs are wrong and people do not believe the church, they question and challenge the church so the church weaken its power In Oct 1517, German Priest Martin Luther criticize the wrong things about the church and started reformation The church expelled Luther and he set up Protestant Church ( 新教 ) LS Hub Page 12 of 13
The Reformation of Church 1.12 Impacts and Influences to the Enlightenment Knowledges were no longer controlled by the church and traditional beliefs were proved wrong Rise of universities -> More popular and people were educated People use reason to solve problems (I.e. Humanism), use rationality and lead to age of reason (I.e. Enlightenment) People start to criticize inequality and injustice in society, discuss topics like government system and education Enlightenment (Age of reasons and Philosophical Inquiry) LS Hub Page 13 of 13