During the Renaissance, on the other hand, a concept known as ‘humanism’ began to develop in Italy, and gradually grew in popularity. Its thinkers saw their work primarily as a means to glorify God, and the arts were dominated by religious themes. During the Middle Ages, Europe was dominated by Christianity. It cannot be denied, however, that the thinkers and artists of both periods were looking at the world around them using two very different sets of lenses. Nevertheless, such achievements are often overshadowed, and even forgotten, as a result of the comparison between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. However, this supposedly grim image of medieval Europe is not entirely true, as scholarship continued during this period, and impressive works of art were made. Thus, the Middle Ages is popularly viewed today as a time when Europe made little intellectual and cultural development, and when the continent was gripped by war, famine, and disease. One of the negative effects of such a comparison is the reduction of the preceding Middle Ages to a period of ‘darkness’. Not only does this contrast enhance the meaning of the term the ‘Renaissance’, but it also serves to heighten the significance of this moment in history. Since the word ‘renaissance’ means ‘rebirth’, it must naturally follow that the era preceding it was a period of ‘death’. (Leonardo da Vinci / Public domain ) Death Before Rebirth Known as one of the greatest Renaissance artworks to be completed. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum in Paris. These artists were said to be working in ‘ la maniera moderna ’ (meaning ‘the modern manner’). the first half of the 16 th century, and includes such artists as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. The ‘Third Age’ deals with Vasari’s own lifetime, i.e. The ‘Second Age’ deals with the 15 th century, and includes such artists as Masaccio, Donatello, and Brunelleschi. Thus, Vasari credits Giotto with the establishment of a new movement in painting, though modern historians normally consider him to be part of a ‘proto-Renaissance’. This period included the 13 th / 14 th century painter Giotto, who was one of the first Italian painters to have moved from the stylized depiction of humans, landscape, and architecture to a more naturalistic one. Vasari divided his work into three periods, starting with the ‘First Age’. Vasari, commonly considered to be Europe’s first art historian, wrote about the artistic development that was occurring in Italy during his lifetime, as well as during the centuries preceding his time. In 1550, the word ‘renascita’, which is Italian for ‘renewal’ or ‘rebirth’ was used by Giorgio Vasari in his book, Le vite de' più eccellenti pittori, scultori, e architettori, which translates to mean Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. The word ‘renaissance’, however, was already in use long before Michelet and Burckhardt. On the other, it may refer more generally to the ‘revitalization’ of Europe as a result of such activities. On the one hand, it may be taken specifically to mean the ‘re-discovery’ of classical texts and learning, and their application in the sciences and arts. The so-called ‘rebirth’ of Europe may be considered from two different angles. We owe our modern perception of the Renaissance largely to these two historians. This concept was further developed by Jacob Burckhardt, a Swiss historian who lived around the same time as Michelet. This term was made popular by the 19 th century French historian Jules Michelet, and became current in the English language during that time. The word ‘renaissance’ comes from the French language, and simply means ‘rebirth’.
Although the Renaissance is most notably connected with the Italian city-states, as it was there that this movement originated, over time the Renaissance would spread to other parts of Europe as well.įrom Darkness to Light: The Origins of the Renaissance
Indeed, today, the Renaissance is commonly thought of as a time when Europe made great advances in the sciences and the arts, as opposed to the Middle Ages. Alternatively, the Renaissance is considered more of an intellectual and cultural movement, rather than a historical period. As a historical era, the Renaissance was preceded by the Middle Ages, and succeeded by the early modern period.
The Renaissance refers to the period in European history between the 14 th and 17 th centuries.