Renaissance and Reformation: Key Developments and Figures
Instruments of Royal Power in the Renaissance
Unified under the king’s authority, the country saw improved administration, the introduction of a standing army, and the organization of international relations through diplomacy. Territory was unified through war and marriage.
Causes of the Reformation
Disparagement of the Clergy
The Popes were more concerned with earthly ambition than fulfilling their role as heads of Christendom. Bishops lived luxuriously and often did not reside in or visit their dioceses. The lower clergy lacked preparation, did not preach to the faithful, and often led lives not in line with Christian morals. Many religious orders did not follow their own rules.
Vices of the Church
Among the vices were the patronage of clergy by their relatives to fill positions, the concubinage of the clergy, the sale of ecclesiastical offices, and the charging for administering the sacraments or the forgiveness of sins through the purchase of indulgences.
Lutheran Reformation
Started in Germany by Martin Luther.
Justification by Faith
People are not saved or condemned for their good or bad works, but only by faith, which is a free gift of God.
Free Interpretation of the Bible
The Holy Scriptures are the only source of revelation and the only foundation of faith.
Other Principles
Acceptance of only two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist.
Humanism
Classical Antiquity as a Model
Philosophical, literary, scientific, and artistic works from Greco-Roman times were studied, disseminated, and adopted as a model of intellectual creation.
Anthropocentrism
Man was placed at the center of the world (anthropocentrism), as opposed to the medieval world where God was the center of all things (theocentrism).
Characteristics of the Renaissance
Inspiration in Greco-Roman Antiquity
Architects and sculptors were inspired by classical architecture and sculpture, depicting mythological themes, landscapes, portraits, and scenes of life.
Recovery of Anthropocentrism in Art
Buildings were made to human scale, and human beings became the protagonists of sculptures and paintings.
Art Modeled on Nature
Representations were based on idealized reality but sought beauty.
Improved Social Consideration of Artists
They were no longer anonymous artisans but educated people with intellectual training in various disciplines. Prominent artists signed their works and achieved fame and wealth.
Art Patrons
Major art clients were kings, princes, popes, nobles, or rich bourgeoisie. These patrons protected the best artists of the time in their courts and used art as a form of personal prestige.
Architecture of the Italian Renaissance
Characterized by the use of classical elements: stone material, Greek and Roman classical orders, round arches, flat roofs, domes, or barrel vaults.
Most Prominent Buildings
Churches with a Latin cross plan or palaces with a central horizontal structure divided into several floors and windows topped with pediments.
Fifteenth Century
Filippo Brunelleschi designed the dome of the Cathedral of Florence. Leon B. Alberti designed the façade of the church of Santa Maria Novella.
Sixteenth Century
Michelangelo continued the design and work on the Basilica of Saint Peter’s in the Vatican.