Renaissance Research Paper

The Renaissance was a time between the 14th and 17th centuries in Europe. It is defined as a time of rebirth of interests in the classics and a major turning point in civilization. This time also birthed the idea of “humanism”. The dictionary defines humanism as, “an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters.” This simply means it is a philosophy centering around humans. The people of the preceding Middle Ages were kept in a strict cage of worship, routine, and poverty. When the idea of a self-oriented lifestyle appeared, citizens of Europe were quick to embrace it. Humanism is also present in many pieces of Renaissance art and literature which show classical study, critical

A great deal of detailed observation was utilized in order to improve art and literature to a higher standard. Niccolò Machiavelli was an avid studier, as shown in his famous (or infamous) novel The Prince. It told of the “ideal ruler” which, according to Machiavelli’s extensive research into successful past rulers, was cruel. It did have historical merit, however, and Machiavelli’s findings were not entirely incorrect. Because of these studies, this book was able to inspire if not the best leaders, then some of the most “effective”. Giotto di Bondone was the artist who really began the Renaissance movement of careful survey. He is called the, “Father of Renaissance Painting”, this is because, even before the discovery of linear perspective, Giotto was amazingly close to this principle. He used his own personal observations to paint, skyrocketing the realism of paintings. It is especially remarkable that his work was so accurate because he had hardly any guidelines to follow. Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone, more commonly known as Masaccio, however, was the first painter to truly use linear perspective as shown in his most famous work, The Trinity. This painting fits exactly into the paradigm of perspective and shows how realistic art could truly get. The people of the time were shocked at how an artist could make his paintings look so real. However, of all the intense examination done in the Renaissance, the majority was directed onto the individuals