...The Renaissance brought about major change in Europe, and subsequently the rest of the world as well. Merriam-Webster defines the Renaissance as, “the period of European history between the 14th and 17th centuries when there was a new interest in science and in ancient art and literature especially in Italy.” Much of the change in music can be attributed to the changes in mindsets brought about by the Enlightenment and the Reformation. Music became less sacred, and more secular--although certain composers stuck with religious texts. However, some composers such as Francesco Landini in Italy, wrote no sacred works; whereas Machaut wrote fewer sacred works than composers in the past. The importance and influence of religion slowly declined in this period. Motets in the fifteenth century and early sixteenth century differed vastly from the ones preceding them in the late middle ages: “The years [circa] 1480-1520 witnessed an explosion in quantity and stylistic variety in motet production. Motets from this time period may have three to six voices; texts can be from the Old Testament, New Testament, liturgical rites, books of hours,...
Words: 1222 - Pages: 5
...In the study of English literature, the medieval period and the Renaissance represent two distinctly different eras. Not only did the language itself change between the two periods, but the scope and subject of literature changed. Broadly speaking, medieval literature revolved around Christianity and chivalry, while Renaissance literature focused on man himself, the progress of arts and sciences, and the emergence of humanism. Medieval and Renaissance literature were influenced by two completely different eras in human history. During the Middle Ages, (A.D. 1066- 1500) the toils of daily life affected the mindset of those at this time. As a result, these ideas found its way into the making of Medieval literature. However, after the great rediscovery of the classical civilizations during A.D. 1500- 1660, men began creating what is now looked upon as Renaissance literature. Though they are both forms of writing, their history as a part of society greatly differed from contrasting philosophies of life, leading to two different personalities. Medieval Literature During the Middle Ages, a great emphasis was placed on the blend of fantasy and reality. Though characters were given human characteristics, their personalities transcended to those of fictitious figures (God, Saints, and revered leaders). Additionally, these stories incorporated the codes of romance and honor, reliving the ideals of chivalry in writing. Furthermore, there was a religious overtone hidden in these...
Words: 436 - Pages: 2
...Why is the Renaissance significant? The Renaissance is a cultural move that roughly began in the 14th century to the 17th century. To examine the significance of the Renaissance would be the aim of this essay. What is remarkable about the Renaissance? One reason why Renaissance is significant is its remarkable influence to the way we live our lives today. The Renaissance was remarkable because it changed people’s way of thinking (Humanism). Before the Dark Ages, common people did not have any freedom. They were like birds trapped in a cage. People who were at the lower level of society were oppressed & constantly pushed down. For the oppressed people it was like being in a pitch black cave. The Renaissance brought change in the minds of the common population. People now were able to paint what they want, write what they want & create what they wanted. If the Renaissance had not occurred we would still be thinking the earth was the middle of the solar system & Earth was still flat. We would not have been able to read, if the printing press was not invented. People who did not know how to read were taught and the price of reading materials were brought down which made buying books easier for the poor. How the Renaissance resulted in change? Art changed, songs changed & the people changed. Art in the Dark Ages were always about religion, if a picture was created that had nothing to do about religion, the picture would be destroyed & the owner might even...
Words: 586 - Pages: 3
...new ideas, they were often concluded from unconcise evidence and were blindly believed. When the Renaissance began, people started to become more thorough and started to question the ideas people had thought of during the Middle Ages. For example, people thought they knew how the universe was set up and how the body function, but these were both blindly assumed and later proven incorrect during the Renaissance. When the Renaissance was happening, people decided to question different ideas and found out more about the world and themselves. One of the many topics people assumed during the Middle Ages was the organization of the Universe....
Words: 638 - Pages: 3
...Brandon Fisher 10/20/15 Hum1020 What is humanism? Humanism can be described in many ways and expressed through various methods . Many authors tend to explain humanism in several different meanings, and because they do not clarify which meaning it is that they themselves believe and can often be the foundation of confusion. Modern humanism can vary from the renaissance humanism in many ways, because generations have changed and different problems arose through the time periods. Modern humanism depends on reason and human life itself, it rejects all sense of supernaturalism and has a dual origin. While renaissance humanism directly focuses on the arts, culture, and rhetorical traditions. In this generation the infatuation with humans and life itself describes differences that these three readings have. However, the author’s opinions on humanism connects the similarities that they share. In Margaret L. King’s Renaissance Humanism, the different essays cover the opinions of humanism which ties to the papal court and all medieval traditions . In each essay the topic is focused on literary and religious magnitudes as well as the idea of classical learning. The beliefs and aspirations of the people were centered on God and saints as well as some scholars becoming more interested in the sciences and arts . During the timeframe of these writings women who practiced humanism were often looked upon as problematic. They were typically more intelligent and willingly tried to step...
Words: 1116 - Pages: 5
...and devices for measurement. Of all the objects in this art piece, the one that creates the most wonder and interest is the small and slightly hidden crucifix in the upper left portion of the painting and the large, distorted, skull-like object lying on the ground between the two men. With the abundance of material, fine detail, and symbolism this painting sparks curiosity of the meaning standing behind it all. The Ambassadors, by Hans Holbein the Younger is a painting created during the Renaissance Period in 1533. Historically, this time period is defined as a rebirth. It is a time of revival for literature, philosophy, architecture, Classical art, and learning (Mind Edge, Inc., 2015). The Renaissance is the time period which followed the middle ages in European Civilization (Renaissance, 2015). It was a time of new discovery and exploration. Gunpowder, printing, the mariner’s compass, new continents, and astrology were among the things newly discovered (Renaissance, 2015). The Renaissance followed after a period of lengthy stagnation and cultural decline. It was thought to be a time...
Words: 1211 - Pages: 5
...The Church was a powerful institution for the community and leaders of Renaissance Florence in numerous ways. Unifying the community in times of prosperity as well as in times of need. Respected by the people of Florence, the Church was able to use their support. Using examples from The Chronicle of Giovanni Villani, I will show how the Church was prominent in the life of the people of fourteenth century Renaissance Florence. The Church was a valuable component in bringing the community together. For example, as Giovanni Villani writes in his chronicle,“... The citizens agreed to renew their leading church, which was a rude affair and small for such a municipality.” (36). The Cathedral was important for the people of Florence. They had just...
Words: 1005 - Pages: 5
...What kind of hierarchies do we encounter in the study of art from 1400-1600? Ideas of the Renaissance The hierarchical phenomenon operating between the years 1400-1600 shaped and organised Renaissance society, heavily defining codes of conduct and correct communal correlations. What’s more, it was a comprehensive and widespread concept that manifested from various angles in Italian Renaissance art. Hierarchical influence can be encountered when considering the contention between several aspects of Renaissance art, and the bearing this classification and ranking process had on the canon of art history was considerable given the periods place in it. Specifically, this ladder of position operated within the competitive frameworks between the liberal and mechanical arts, Early Renaissance and High Renaissance artists, male and female artists, patrons and their employees in the practice of patronage, genres of art works, and painters and sculptors. When trying to understand how a period is structured and works as a whole, consideration of the hierarchies operating within it reveal some clear points of focus. Societies generally work on a ‘pyramid of prestige’, and Renaissance Italy followed this rule. Each societal member had a place, and was expected to fully understand the boundaries this position placed upon them. Societal roles were clear, and every person was conscious of their social standing, whether it be that they were higher or lower than the next person...
Words: 2545 - Pages: 11
...Western civilization has evolved through the works of many people, as well as techniques and methods used during this period. In particular, art has given the representation of this time, which is portrayed by each artist in different ways. One of the most significant figures in western art is Michelangelo. Some of his most famous works include the painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, his sculptures of The Pietà and David. Through his significant art pieces and sculptures, Michelangelo has widely influenced western civilization. Because of his contributions, he defined western art and he represented the Renaissance time period. Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy, on March 6, 1475. When he was young, his parents noticed...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...Using these four passages and your own knowledge, assess the view that the main purpose of the so-called ‘Alfredian Renaissance’ was to strengthen royal power. Interpretation A gives the opinion that Alfred’s motive behind the educational reforms was that ‘a life without knowledge or reflection was unworthy of respect.’ By having this as a reason, Stenton argues that Alfred effectively wished for respect of his Kingdom and subjects, and this can only be acquired through the gaining of knowledge. However, this can easily be disputed as one can argue that this may only have been the spoken reason in order to legitimise the reforms in the eyes of his subjects, when the underlying reason was indeed to strengthen his royal power. It can be argued on the other hand, i.e. in Stenton’s favour, as there is evidence that Alfred genuinely would want to improve the education and learning within his Kingdom, as he received a below-par education himself and later realised that he did not want the same for his subjects. He also travelled to Rome as a child, which influenced his decisions as Rome was a centre point for scholars in the world at that time. Another way of understanding Stenton’s interpretation is to believe that royal power may come through gaining the respect of his Kingdom anyway. By this I mean that if Alfred believed that the education of his people would earn enough respect from foreign powers both within the British Isles and from European ones such as the Carolingian Empire...
Words: 1935 - Pages: 8
...The Renaissance, spanning the time from the 14th to 17th century, is often noted for its contributions to the arts, music, science, and architecture. Although there is truth in this statement, the impact of the Renaissance reaches far past these disciplines. The humanistic movement fostered in this time set the foundation for the current culture regarding caring for children and in the development of an ethical approach in their care. In considering the period’s contributions to children’s rights, it becomes essential to examine the history and role of the Ospedale degli Innocenti in fostering a child-centered culture. With over 570 years since its establishment, the Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence is the oldest public institution in...
Words: 1071 - Pages: 5
...During the middle of the 14th century, a cultural movement, known as the Renaissance emerged as an important impact to the beginning of a historical era. It developed during the Middle Ages in Italy and later expanded to Europe. It was around this time, from the period in mid 14th century thru 16th century, when the well-known artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, contributed to bringing about changes to the world of art and even inspired the term “Renaissance Men”. The word renaissance meaning “rebirth” in French, influenced the ancient Greek and Roman culture as well. So many artists began to observe the natural world attempting to capture their imagination and express themselves through their work of art. These art pieces, being created, included two dimensional media, such as paintings and drawings, and three dimensional media, such as sculptures. Two works of renaissance arts by two different artists will be closely observed by exploring the vocabulary of arts and also the various principles of design. Additional information as to the potential meaning and historical influence of the artwork, artist’s motivation and their professional background, as well as the comparisons and contrasts to artist’s styles will also be observed. The first artist is Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455), an Italian artist best known for his works in sculptor and metal working. His first art piece being observed is the The Story of Jacob and Esau and second art piece is the Creation of...
Words: 1615 - Pages: 7
...pay heed to religious law in the manner he lived his life, but he likewise did not particularly care for the Catholic Church of the time because of the lack of ethics demonstrated by the Pope's and other supposedly "religious men's" actions at the time. The Prince, a handbook for politicians on the employment of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term "Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory."(History.com) There are many types of leaderships that after being present over the centuries. Leadership styles have developed over time, with a prominent shift from the autocratic and directive leadership in the twentieth century to a more participative and democratic style of the younger generation. These changes in leadership styles can be ascribed to a combination of events including a switch in people’s attitudes as well as advances in technology. In fact, choosing the right way, at the proper time in the right place is a key element of leader effectiveness. That’s not what most people do. They will normally have one style applied in all positions. It’s like having only one case...
Words: 1345 - Pages: 6
...impact that architecture has had on the major civilizations throughout time by being able to display them in their works, which not only was a clear representation of the time but as well helped mold and solidify the society’s thoughts through expression. By taking examples from ancient to modern times I will examine how the architecture of these eras clearly displays the thoughts and ideas of the culture in which it was built upon and as well the society in which it is placed. As well I will be examining how several major key architects played a dynamic role in these critical showcases that represented their time. I will be taking architectural examples from; the ancient Egyptian time period, the gothic and medieval time period, the renaissance & pre-modern period and the now contemporary period. Each one of these unique periods of time in architectural design were clear representation of the dynamic time period in our history. Here, looking back at these time periods we can see the most incredible works in architectural design that still to this day help us understand the culture at the time. As well I will be using several renowned architects throughout these time periods who were able to portray the culture, and society in their designs. These architects include, Michelangelo, Filippo Brunelleschi, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Louis Henri Sullivan, and of course Frank Gehry. Ancient Period Architecture: The most incredible display of the rapid development of civilizations...
Words: 2807 - Pages: 12
...people were interested in philosophy, science, astronomy, and art. So, the artists in this period wanted to develop their style in art and work more on depicting the human body with more reality. Thus, and to achieve that, they studied the anatomical dissections, and invented some new artistic techniques. In this essay, I will discuss the relationship between the art and the growing body of scientific knowledge. Also, I will use examples of the artworks from the major styles. After that, I will explain how the artist created those works using the new scientific knowledge. The beginning is with the Renaissance period since it was the most important artistic period due to the fast development. In this period, the artists wanted to continue the work of the Greeks and Romans, who had worked on sculpturing and painting the youth and ideal human bodies. However, the artists from the Renaissance wanted their work to be more naturalistic, and to...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
