The Renaissance: Origins and Italian Influence

RENAISSANCE

The universalist spirit that characterized Europe in the thirteenth century became fragmented during the fourteenth century and disappeared during the fifteenth. In newly created universities across Europe, an attitude of critical thinking developed, replacing the ideals that the Church had provided during the early Gothic period. But fundamentally, the rapidly developing mercantile and industrial bourgeoisie determined the new interests of society.

This new society was not only forgetting the faith and enthusiasm that had led previous generations to build cathedrals, but also considered that the artistic language characteristic of the thirteenth century no longer made sense.

The incipient humanism that emerged with the early Gothic period evolved during the fifteenth century, while the Gothic form itself became a 'dead language'.

Italy's Unique Position

But in Italy, things were different. This spirit had left few traces in the Italian sensibility; however, Italy had retained a repertoire of forms rooted in classicism. In addition, fourteenth-century Italy preceded the rest of Europe in terms of organized economy. Italy had commercial relations with the rest of the continent and all the East, and increasingly well-structured banking made possible a certain modernity. Italy gained advanced economic and social organizations.

Italy, therefore, was the country that could offer a better alternative to the depletion of the European vocabulary of forms. But we should clarify that Italy did not suddenly provide a new language by simply assuming the splendid Gothic language. The Renaissance was brewing since the end of the thirteenth century. For example, when the Cathedral of Amiens was being built in France, Giotto was already decorating the Basilica of Assisi in Italy. And while the Castilian Isabelline Gothic style still lingered, Michelangelo was painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Fifteenth-Century Humanism

The emotional humanism of the thirteenth century was replaced by the rational humanism of the fifteenth century. In universities, Greek and Latin classics were read, theological tenets were discussed, and dogmas began to be doubted.

The printing press allowed written culture to be disseminated and helped broaden horizons, enabling the exploration and conquest of the world.

For the first time since antiquity, man began to feel like the center of the universe, and language reflected his significance. Man dominated the buildings because artists conceived and built them based on human proportions.