The House of Medici was an Italian banking family, political dynasty and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the first half of the 15th century.
How did the Crusades impact the Renaissance?
The Crusades impacted the Renaissance through the ways in which they made knowledge from eastern cultures increasingly accessible to the Latin west. Much of Greek knowledge of science, medicine, and philosophy had been lost to the Latin west after the fall of the western half of the Roman Empire. This knowledge was preserved in the original Greek in Byzantium and in Arabic translation (and commentaries which built on and improved the work of the Greeks) in Islamic culture, especially in the regions of Damascus and Baghdad. Although the main point of contact between the west and Islam culture was in Spain, the Crusades also served as a point of contact. Also, more importantly, Crusaders became acquainted with the Byzantine tradition of Greek learning both in the Crusades and from scholars fleeing the fall of Constantinople. The Renaissance was the rebirth of this learning.
- The Crusades provided an opportunity for the Europeans to rediscover Greek philosophy through contact with ancient Greek texts.
- The Crusades fueled the development of secular governments which later challenged the overall power of religious leadership. The situation also led to a direct challenge to Catholicism through the Protestant Reformation.
- The contact between the Crusaders and Muslims fostered knowledge exchange, and information about religion and literature was shared. This led to a shift in thinking among the European scholars who sought to discover new knowledge on various subjects.
- The development of art during the Renaissance period required money. The Crusades filled the gap by fostering improvements in transport and trade in Asia and Europe. Expansion of trade and transport also led to waning appeal for feudalism and monarchical administration. The situation resulted in the growing desire for political inclusion and freedom among the people.
Major Reasons for the Renaissance in Central Italy.
1397: Giovanni de Medici Moves to Florence Giovanni de Medici, the papal banker, headquarters his business in Florence and becomes involved in Florentine public life and patronage of the arts, laying the groundwork for the rise of his son Cosimo de Medici to power.
1420: The Papacy Returns to Rome The Papacy, having been located in Avignon since 1305, returns to Rome, bringing with it the prestige and wealth necessary to rebuild the city.
1429: Cosimo de Medici Takes Over his Father's Business Cosimo de Medici becomes head of the bank after his father dies, using his economic power to consolidate political power. Within five years he runs the city without question.
1453: Constantinople Falls The center of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks, provoking an exodus of Greek people and works of art and literature into the Italian city-states.
1420: The Papacy Returns to Rome The Papacy, having been located in Avignon since 1305, returns to Rome, bringing with it the prestige and wealth necessary to rebuild the city.
1429: Cosimo de Medici Takes Over his Father's Business Cosimo de Medici becomes head of the bank after his father dies, using his economic power to consolidate political power. Within five years he runs the city without question.
1453: Constantinople Falls The center of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks, provoking an exodus of Greek people and works of art and literature into the Italian city-states.
The four canonical painting modes of the Renaissance
Sfumato
The technique is a fine shading meant to produce a soft transition between colours and tones, in order to achieve a more believable image. It is most often used by making subtle gradations that do not include lines or borders, from areas of light to areas of dark.
Unione
Unione is similar to sfumato, but maintains vibrant colors.
Unione was developed by Raphael as a response to Leonardo da Vinci's Sfumato.
Unione was developed by Raphael as a response to Leonardo da Vinci's Sfumato.
Cangiante
The word itself derives from the Italian cangiare ("to change").
The painter may change, for example, from the color yellow to the color red (regardless of the object's actual color) when painting shadows on a yellow object simply because the yellow he has to work with cannot be made dark enough to render shadows on that object (and the red can). The greatest practitioner of this technique was Michelangelo, and it is illustrated in many parts of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
The painter may change, for example, from the color yellow to the color red (regardless of the object's actual color) when painting shadows on a yellow object simply because the yellow he has to work with cannot be made dark enough to render shadows on that object (and the red can). The greatest practitioner of this technique was Michelangelo, and it is illustrated in many parts of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Chiaroscuro
is an oil painting technique, developed during the Renaissance, that uses strong tonal contrasts between light and dark to model three-dimensional forms, often to dramatic effect.[1]
The underlying principle is that solidity of form is best achieved by the light falling against it. Artists known for developing the technique include Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt. It is a mainstay of black and white photography. Glazing a thin transparent or semi-transparent layer on a painting which modifies the appearance of the underlying paint layer.
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Michelangelo
Leonardo Da Vinci
RAPHAEL
Patron - a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity.
Donatello - Gattamelata -Trained by Ghiberti and Financed by Medici
Oil Painting Process SpeedPainting
Raphael - A Mortal God
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Donatello |
Monument of Gattamelata |
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The School of Athens - Raphael
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