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After plague and wars caused suffering in Europe, survivors wanted to celebrate the human spirit and life. During the middle Ages the Catholic Church told people to wait out suffering and aim for heaven. Educated people also wanted to bring back Greek and Roman culture and art.
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The rebirth of art started to come around during the 15th century, when new techniques were brought into play. Perspective, which is based around a vanishing point, was used to make paintings look even more realistic. Instead of painting large groups of people, artists painted one or a couple subjects. New paints and materials were also used to improve the look of arts. To the left you can see perspective being used in one of Masolino's paintings.
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The study of the classics led to humanism, a movement that focused on human goals and achievements. Humanists believed that you could live a happy life and not offend God. You didn't have to eat poor foods and wear plain clothes. Humanists thought that suffering did not show your devotion the God if you had a choice between a good or bad life.
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Cosimo de Medici was the wealthiest man in Europe at that time, and won control of Florence's government. The Medici were huge patrons of the arts, and paid artists to paint them portraits and religious images. This gave the world of art a great boost.
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Johann Gutenberg invented a machine that could produce book s cheaper and make more copies. This device had a screw press that pressed on wood blocks arranged to form words. Then oil ink was applied to the blocks. Paper was then pressed between the press and blocks. This invention allowed ideas to spread faster, more books to be made, and the cost of books to go down so more people could purchase them. This led to more educated men and women.
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Donatello's statue of David was one of the first statues to be free standing and nude. This was a break out in the art world. Nude subjects had not been created and displayed since the classics. Artists were breaking out of Medieval shell and revealing personality and sculpting with natural poses.
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At the beginning scholars wanted to bring back the culture and teachings of Greece and Rome, the classics. They despised Middle Age art and writings. They achieved their goal of bringing back classics by studying and being inspired by the ruins of Greece and Rome. Also the siege of Constantinople (from which the date is from) caused scholars to flee to Rome with manuscripts.
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After the Hundred Years' War ended cities in northern Europe rapidly grew. Merchants in the city become wealthy enough to be patrons of art. Northern tradition blended with the Renaissances ideas but kept the same character. In other words the northern art was different and better than what it was before the new ideas, but still was distinct from other regions styles. Also in 1494 a French king waged war on northern Italy. Artists fled to northern Europe and brought styles with them.
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The famous painting was done by Raphael, and it is my favorite Renaissance painting. It took him two years to complete. The scene is many famous scholars of Greece debating and studying. The way he painted it, with bright colors and the use of perspective, makes it very pleasant. He also put science and astronomy into the picture such as globes, slates with mathematical problems, and books. Many famous scholars are depicted, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
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Painted by Michelangelo, this glorious chapel ceiling contains 300 figures and many biblical scenes. It is known for its detail, though it is 1,100 square meters. It took Michelangelo 4 years to painted, on his back, on scaffolding. Michelangelo is also known for the Pieta and David.
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Thomas More wrote a book, Utopia, which means "no place", it decribe a place where there was no war, greed, or corruption. The book was written in Latin and divided into two parts. This was Renaissance writing because it used ideas of humanists to change society. Utopia is a good example of Renaissance writing
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This painting is the most famous painting in the world. The detail that Da Vinci used at that time period is amazing. It took 4 years for he to finish it, and I'm not surprised. Some say he painted himself, his apprentice, his wife, or the most backed up idea is Lisa Gherardini. Though he never knew it, Da Vinci painted a worldly, priceless piece of art that has been around for over 500 years.
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This book taught educated man how to become a "Renaissance man". This "man" should be smart, have knowledge on classics, poetic, a dancer as well as a singer and musician. They should master all areas in study. As you can see this was a lot for one man. This book also told women to be charming and know the classics, but not seek fame.
