Renaissance and Reformation: Art, Philosophy, and History

Defining Humanism

Humanism was a cultural movement that reached its full development in the fifteenth century.

Key Figures of the Humanist Movement

The major humanists contributed significantly to the era's intellectual shift:

• Desiderius Erasmus: Defended the rise of morality and advocated for creating an intimate, personal religiosity. He was a great promoter of philosophical and historical studies.
• Thomas More: Proposed the idea of a different society based on religious tolerance and communal ownership of land.
• Luis Vives: Defended the separation between logic and metaphysics, as well as the need to base human knowledge on nature and reason.

The Revival of Classical Culture in the 15th Century

Fifteenth-century artists spoke of a revival because they were once again inspired by Greek and Roman culture.

The Role of Patrons in the Renaissance

A patron was a wealthy individual or institution that funded artistic works and protected their authors.

Renaissance Art and Master Painters

General Features of Renaissance Painting

Renaissance painting was characterized by several key elements:

• The use of perspective and color.
• Accurate proportions of the figures.
• The emphasis on the beauty of faces, bodies, and movements.
• The expansion of subject matter beyond traditional religious themes.

Master Painters and Iconic Works

The most famous painters of the Renaissance and some of their iconic works include:

• Leonardo da Vinci: The Mona Lisa
• Raphael: The School of Athens
• Botticelli: Birth of Venus
• El Greco: The Knight with His Hand on His Chest
• Michelangelo: David

The Protestant Reformation

The religions founded by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Henry VIII were:

• Lutheranism
• Calvinism
• Anglicanism

Impact and Consequences of the Reformation

The Reformation caused a series of changes that profoundly marked the subsequent history of Europe. The consequences included:

• Europe was divided into two major religious blocs: Protestants and Catholics.
• The outbreak of the Wars of Religion.
• Intolerance became widespread throughout Europe.
• In Spain, the power of the Inquisition increased.

Key Achievements and Concepts of the Era

The following statements summarize important developments and beliefs of the period:

• The invention of large-scale printing facilitated the dissemination of books and culture.
• Academies were the places where humanistic studies were developed and disseminated.
• Artists were concerned with capturing an ideal of beauty.
• Copernicus developed the heliocentric theory, stating that the Sun is the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it.
• Humanism defended the search for truth through reason and experience.
• Patrons were persons or institutions that financed art works and protected their authors.
• The geographical discoveries spurred the development of disciplines such as geography, zoology, and botany.
• Humanists aspired to know everything.