Blog Post #50 -Italy part 2-

Looking to Greece and Rome
- renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the Middle Ages
- they wanted to return the learning of the Greeks and Romans
- first, artists and scholars of Italy drew inspiration from the ruins of Rome that surrounded them
- second, western scholars studied ancient latin manuscripts that had been preserved in monasteries
- third, Christian scholars in Constantinople fled to Rome with Greek manuscripts when the Turks conquered the Constantinople in 1453

Classical and Worldly Values
- studying the manuscripts gave scholars a new outlook on life and art
Classics Lead to Humanism
- humanism~ an intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements
- humanists influenced artists and architects to carry on classical traditions
- humanists popularized the story of subjects common to classical education
- history, literature, and philosophy are called the humanities
Worldly Pleasures
- humanists suggested that someone enjoys their life without offending God
- the wealthy enjoyed material luxuries, good music, and fine foods
Patrons of Art
- church leaders became patrons of the arts by financially supporting artists
- renaissance merchants and wealthy families were also patrons of the arts
- the wealthy would have their portraits painted or by donating art to show their importance
The Renaissance Man
- Renaissance writers introduced the idea that all educated people were expected to create art
- a man who excelled in many fields was praised as a "universal man", later called the "Renaissance men"
- Baldassare Castiglione wrote a book called "The Courtier" that explains how to do that
- the idea young man was one that was charming, witty, and well educated in the classics
- he should dance, sing, play music, and write poetry
- he should be a skilled writer, wrestler, and swordsman
The Renaissance Woman
- according to "The Courtier", upper-class women were expected to know the classics and be charming, but not have to go for the fame
- expected to inspire art not create it
- better educated than medieval women
- Isabella d'Este was born into the ruling family of the city state of Ferrara
- she was educated and brilliant
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