"The Renaissance is a period in history and a cultural movement marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, covering the 15th and 16th centuries..."
A period of intellectual and artistic rebirth that occurred in Europe between the 14th to 17th centuries, characterized by a renewed interest in the classical civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, and a shift towards humanism - a focus on the human experience and individualism.
Humanism: Renaissance intellectual movement emphasizing the study of classical literature, as well as a focus on human potential and dignity.
Classicism: A focus on classical art, literature, and culture in the Renaissance period.
The Printing Press: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440 led to a revolution in the dissemination of knowledge and the democratization of literature.
Art: Renaissance art is renowned for its realism, perspective, and attention to detail, with famous artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Science: Scientists during the Renaissance period focused on empirical observation and experimentation, leading to breakthroughs in fields such as anatomy and astronomy.
Architecture: Renaissance architecture is characterized by symmetry and proportion, as well as the use of classical elements such as columns and arches.
Politics and Power: Renaissance Italy was a time of intense political competition between powerful city-states, such as Venice and Florence, resulting in immense cultural productions.
Religion: The Reformation during the Renaissance period saw religious reformers challenge traditional Church teachings, leading to widespread religious and political upheaval.
Philosophy: Renaissance philosophy emphasized the study of classical texts and the application of reason and logic to questions of existence and morality.
Literature: Renaissance writers such as Dante, Petrarch, and Shakespeare produced groundbreaking works of poetry, drama, and prose that continue to be widely read and studied today.
Geography and exploration: The Renaissance was a time of exploration and discovery, with famous voyages such as those of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan.
Economics: The growth of capitalism and the rise of merchant class during the Renaissance period transformed economic systems and spurred the development of trade and commerce.
Music: Renaissance music is known for its polyphonic structure and use of harmony, with famous composers including Palestrina and Josquin des Prez.
Education: Renaissance scholars emphasized the importance of education and literacy, leading to the establishment of universities and the spread of literacy throughout Europe.
Feminism and gender studies: The Renaissance saw a growing awareness and questioning of gender roles and inequality, with the emergence of women writers and thinkers such as Christine de Pizan.
Italian Renaissance: This is the most well-known type of Renaissance, which took place in Italy during the 14th to 17th centuries. Italy was the center of trade and commerce during this time and saw a revival in the arts, literature, and sciences.
Northern Renaissance: This type of Renaissance mainly occurred in Northern European countries such as Germany, France, and England. It was heavily influenced by the Italian Renaissance but had its own distinctive style and focus on religious themes.
High Renaissance: This period saw the peak of the Italian Renaissance, with a focus on classicism, humanism, and art. It was characterized by famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Scientific Renaissance: This was a period of scientific awakening in Europe, which saw the development of astronomy, medicine, and chemistry. Important figures include Galileo Galilei and Francis Bacon.
Proto-Renaissance: This describes the development of Renaissance ideas and principles before the actual Renaissance period started. It includes the works of artists and thinkers such as Giotto di Bondone and Dante Alighieri.
Early Renaissance: This is the period between the Proto-Renaissance and the High Renaissance, characterized by a focus on realism, perspective, and humanism.
Late Renaissance: This period saw the decline of the Renaissance and the emergence of new artistic styles such as Mannerism.
Baroque: This followed the Renaissance and was characterized by a more ornate, theatrical style in art, architecture, and music.
"...characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ideas and achievements of classical antiquity; it occurred after the crisis of the Late Middle Ages and was associated with great social change in most fields and disciplines, including art, architecture, politics, literature, exploration and science."
"In addition to the standard periodization, proponents of a 'long Renaissance' may put its beginning in the 14th century and its end in the 17th century."
"The traditional view focuses more on the early modern aspects of the Renaissance and argues that it was a break from the past, but many historians today focus more on its medieval aspects and argue that it was an extension of the Middle Ages."
"The intellectual basis of the Renaissance was its version of humanism, derived from the concept of Roman humanitas and the rediscovery of classical Greek philosophy..."
"...the development of perspective in oil painting and the revived knowledge of how to make concrete."
"The Renaissance began in Florence, one of the many states of Italy."
"...its political structure, the patronage of its dominant family, the Medici, and the migration of Greek scholars and their texts to Italy following the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks."
"Other major centers were Venice, Genoa, Milan, Rome during the Renaissance Papacy, and Naples."
"From Italy, the Renaissance spread throughout Europe... and also to American, African and Asian territories ruled by the European colonial powers of the time or where Christian missionaries were active."
"The Renaissance has a long and complex historiography, and in line with general scepticism of discrete periodizations, there has been much debate among historians..."
"The term rinascita ('rebirth') first appeared in Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists (c. 1550), anglicized as the Renaissance in the 1830s."
"The word has also been extended to other historical and cultural movements, such as the Carolingian Renaissance (8th and 9th centuries), Ottonian Renaissance (10th and 11th century), and the Renaissance of the 12th century."
"The Renaissance encompassed innovative flowering of Latin and vernacular literatures, beginning with the 14th-century resurgence of learning based on classical sources..."
"In politics, the Renaissance contributed to the development of the customs and conventions of diplomacy..."
"...and in science to an increased reliance on observation and inductive reasoning."
"...best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who inspired the term 'Renaissance man'."
"Early examples were the development of perspective in oil painting and the revived knowledge of how to make concrete."
"...the Renaissance has close similarities to both, especially the late and early sub-periods of either."
"...and gradual but widespread educational reform."