Renaissance: Characteristics and Contributions Starting

Renaissance: Characteristics and Contributions

Starting in Italy, and eventually spreading throughout the rest of Europe, the Renaissance was "a series of movements" ("Renaissance" 2008) that emphasized a focus on learning, antiquity, and humanism, producing some of the most monumental artistic, literary, and scientific contributions to history. The movements were a reaction to the hiatus from learning and the emphasis on religion during the Middle Ages. Beginning in the fourteenth century, the Renaissance movements continued during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Literally, the word "renaissance" means "rebirth" ("Renaissance" 2008).

This term is appropriate for this period, as the importance of learning and human discovery, as opposed to heavenly revelation, were born again. By discussing the conditions that lead to the Renaissance, as well as its characteristics and major players, a complete understanding of this time period's contribution can be achieved.

Popularly, the idea of the Renaissance has often been classified as a rebellion against the ideas and behaviors of the Middle Ages. While this is true to a degree, the supposed light of the Renaissance did not necessarily contrast with the darkness of the Middle Ages as drastically as is often argued. Instead of a time period characterized by a fear of learning and discovery, the people of the Middle Ages certainly showed a particular interest in learning, classical antiquity, and art and literature. While many expressed a great interest in learning and the classics, this group was mainly confined to those with a great deal of wealth or those whose lives had been committed to learning, such as monks. Art and music were abundant, mostly arranged to a specific purpose ("Renaissance" 2008). This specific purpose was often to service the needs of the church in worship or for other sacred endeavors. Christianity, then, was an important part of the Middle Ages. It dominated every facet of life, from the struggles of the peasants to the rule of kinds. While Christianity was often used to exploit the beliefs of some, it did not inhibit learning like some suggest.

The Renaissance, on the other hand, was characterized by learning as its center, like religion was the center of the Middle Ages. Instead of the hobby of kings and professionals, learning was for all -- from soldiers to noblemen ("Renaissance" 2008). In addition, the Renaissance appreciated learning and curiosity for its own sake. In the same way, art was appreciated simply because it was art, instead of being commissioned for a certain purpose. Furthermore, the Renaissance focused more on the individual's ability to make creations and to decide than the occurred during the Middle Ages ("Renaissance" 2008). Although these high ideals of art and learning were praised, patronage was an important feature of the Middle Ages, and patron's major players in the time period. Patrons, which could be wealthy individuals or organizations, could either have a household artist, like one would have a household maid, or commission a specific work from an artist "Discussion of the role" nd). In Florence, the Medicis were major patrons, and popes were also common patrons ("Discussion of the role" nd). In addition to the patrons, the other major players in the Renaissance were the painters. Probably the two most famous and integral were Michelangelo and Raphael. Michelangelo's patrons were seven of the thirteen popes during whose reigns he was alive ("The role of papal patronage" nd). Like Michelangelo, Raphael's major patrons were popes, including Julius II and Leo X, under whose patronage the famous artist decorated rooms in the Vatican and painted a papal portrait ("Patronage of Raphael" nd).