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Leading Figures
of the Renaissance
30.1 Introduction
In the last chapter,you visited Florenceto explore someof the major advances
of the Renaissance.
Now you will learn how Renaissance
ideasspreadfrom Italy
acrossEurope.Then you will studythe lives and work of l0leading figuresof the
f
Renaissance.
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From the i4th through the 16th centuries,Europe
crackledwith energy.Trade and commerceboomed.
Cities grew.Artists and writers experimentedwith
their crafts and createdwonderful works of art and literature.New ways of thinking led to inventionsand
scientificdiscoveries.Rulersand wealthypatronssupported the work of artists,scientists,and explorers.
Why was there so much creativeenergyduring
the Renaissance?
One reasonwas the Renaissance
ideal that people should be educatedin many areas.
Peoplewho studiedart or music, for example,were
also interestedin science.To this day we still use
the phrase"Renaissanceperson" to describesomeone who is skilled and knowledseablein manv
fields.
*
You have alreadymet the best exampleof this
Renaissance
ideal: Leonardoda Vinci. Leonardo
trained as a painter,but he was also a scientist,engineer,musician,and architect.He designedfortifi-
s
cations,waterways,and machines.He studiedand
drew plants,animals,and people.In his notebooks
he sketchedideasfor inventionsthat were far ahead
of his time.
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Leonardois one of the 10 Renaissance
artists,
scientists, monarchs, and writers you will
study in this chapter.First, though,let's look at how
the RenaissancespreadthroughoutEuropefrom its
birthplacein Italy.
LeadingFiguresof the Renaissance 333
3O.2The Renaissance
SpreadsThrough Europe
As you have learned,the Renaissance
began
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in Italy. From there it spreadto France, Germany,
Flanders(modem-dayBelgium), Holland, England,
and Spain.
Renaissanceideas were spreadthrough trade,
travel, and education.Italy was the gateway to
Europe for much of the trade from Asia, Africa,
and the Greek-speakingcities of the east.Traders
moved through Italy to the rest of Europe, bringing a rich flow of new ideasalong with their
.( .
g
c
soods.
TheRenaissance
spread
fromltaly
throughout
Europe.
In Flanders,
an earlypainter
of thenorthern
Renaissance
wasJanvanEyck,
shownherein hisstudio.
Visitors to Italy also helpedspreadRenaissance
ideas.Peoplefrom
all over Europe traveled to Italy to learn as well as to trade. Scholars
ir6
went to study humanism.Artists studiedItalian painting and sculpture
to learn new stylesand techniques.
When thesetravelers returned home, many of them founded art
schoolsand universities.Artists taughtotherswhat they had learned
in Italy. Scholarsbeganto teachthe new ideasof experimentationand
logical thinking.
u-*
The spreadof ideaswas madeeven easierby the invention of the
printing press.This machinepressesinked type or platesonto paper to
createmany copiesof a work. Recall from your study of China that the
Chinesehad learnedto make paperand to print using wooden blocks.
Gradually, knowledge of papermaking and examplesof Chineseprinr
ing blocks reachedEurope.
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In about 1450,a GermannamedJohannesGutenbergdramatically
improved on existingprinting methods.He inventeda printing press
that used movable type-characters that could be rearrangedand used
over againon other printing jobs. Unlike the Chinese,who used woodAfterGutenberg's
invention
of the
printing
press,
printshopssuchas
en blocks for printing, Gutenbergcasthis type in metal.
*]
Before Gutenberg'sinvention,most books were written and copied
thisonecreated
booksandpamphletsby hand.It could take four or five months to copy a 200-pagebook.
quickly
The new presscould produce300 pagesin a single day.As a result,
andeasily,
books and short works calledpamphletscould be made much more
quickly and cheaply.
The number of printers in Europe soon increasedrapidly. People
usedprinted matterto spreadnew ideas,discoveries,and inventions.
And since printed material was more widely available,more people
*9
learnedto read.
As new ideasspread,peoplein more countrieswere swept up in
the spirit of the Renaissance.
Let's look now at 10 leadingRenaissanie
figures and their accomplishments.
334 Chapter30
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3O.3 Michelangelo,
Italian $culptor
and Painter
You met Michelangelo
(1475- 1564) in Chapter29.
Michelangelowas born in a small
village near Florence.He grew
up to becomeone of the greatest
f
paintersand sculptorsin history.
e
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Personality and Training
Historianssay that Michelangelo
had a difficult childhood.His
mother died when he was six
yearsold. His father was stern
and demanding.Perhapsthis
troubled early life contributed
to Michelangelo'sfamously bad
temper.Although he was very religious,he was known to use fierce
words when he was angry.He was also intenselyambitious.
Inthisfamous
scenefromtheceiling
Chapel,
Godis reaching
of theSistine
When Michelangelowas 13, he becamean apprenticeto a painter
in Florence.At 15, he beganstudyingunder a sculptorwho worked for
the powerful Medici family. Michelangelolived for a time in the Medici
outto touchthefingerof Adam,the
firstmanin theBiblestoryof creation,
to life
Adamseems
to be coming
household.There he met many leading thinkers,artists,and writers.
touch.
underGod's
Michelangelowas amazingly
Talents and Achievements
gifted in both sculptureand painting. His art combinesideal beauty
To other artists,Michelangelo'stalent
with emotionalexpressiveness.
seemedalmost godlike.
Michelangelo'ssculpturesshow his amazingtalent for bringing life
to figures carvedfrom giant blocks of marble.When he wasjust 24, he
carvedhis famous Pieta. A pieta is a depictionof Mary, the mother of
l.
lf
chapel a room,sometimes
setaside
insidea largerchurch,
for prayerandworship
Jesus,mourning over her crucified son. Michelangelo'sPieta shows
Mary tenderlyholding the body of Jesuson her lap.
Two other magnificentsculpturesby Michelangeloare his David and
Moses.As you learnedin Chapter29, David is 17 feet tall. The statue
combinesgreatbeautywith the intenselook of a youth who is aboutto
go into battle. Michelangelo'sMosesis also a strong,powerful figure.
In the Bible, Moses receivesthe Ten Commandmentsfrom God. Meanwhile his people,the Hebrews,are worshiping false gods.The expression of Michelangelo'sMosesis a mixture of compassionand anger.
Michelangelois perhapsbest known for painting the ceiling of the
SistineChapel,the pope's chapel in Rome. Michelangelolaboredfor
almostfour yearson a high platform to completethis work. He coveredthe
curvedceiling with brilliantly colored scenesfrom the Bible. The scenes
contain over 300 figures and continueto awe visitors to Rome today.
Michela
ngelo
Leading Figuresof the Renaissance 335
I
3O,4Titian, ltalian Painter
Titian (about 1488-1576)was born in
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a village in the Italian Alps. The exact
date of his birth is uncertain. Early in life,
Titian's talent took him to the wealthy
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societyof Venice.He becamethe city's
greatestRenaissancepainter.
Personality andTraining
As
a boy, Titian was sent to Venice to train
with famouspainters.As a young man he
er
worked with an artist named Giorgione,
a masterof fresco painting. (A fresco is
paintedon the wet plasterof a wall or
ceiling.) Titian also studiedexamplesof
art from Rome and Florence. In time, he
outgrew the influenceof his teachersand
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createdhis own style.
Titian was a persuasiveman. According
to legend, long after he was rich and
famous,he persuadedpatronsto supporthis
art by claiming to be poor. But he was also
said to be quite generouswith his friends.
u-}
Talents and Achievements
Titian's early work was preciseand
detailed.Later he developeda freer style.
He usedblobs of paint to createvivid
Thisis oneof manyportraits
of
Emoeror
Charles
V thatTitian
painted
duringhisyearsascouft
painterof ltaly.
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forms. colors. and textures.He was known
for his inspireduse of color and for loose,
lively brushworkthat madehis picturesappearto be alive. His work
also showsa flair for expressinghumanpersonality.
Titian paintedmany classicalmyths and Bible stories.As a court
painter,he createdportraitsof the rich and powerful.In 1516,he was
named the official painter of Venice. Later, Holy Roman emperor
CharlesV made him court painter of ltaly. Titian made many portraits
uj
of CharlesV and other royalty.
Charles greatly admired Titian's work. There is a story that the
emperor once picked up a paintbrush that had fallen to the floor. Titian
protested,"I am not worthy of sucha servant."The emperorreplied,
tcb
"Titian is worthy to be servedby Caesar,"refening to the emperor of
ancientRome. Charleseven madeTitian a knisht-a first-time honor
for a painter.
Titian is often describedas a "painter's painter" becauseof his
lltian
influenceon other artists'use of color and brush strokes.Centuries
later, many paintersstill try to copy his techniques.
{{D
336 Chapter30
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3O.5 Albrecht Dlirer, German Artist
Albrecht Diirer (1471-1528) was born in the German city of
Nuremberg. He earnedfame for his paintings, drawings, prints, and
proportion
writings on art.
As a boy, Dtirer receiveda varied
Personality andTraining
education.The son of a goldsmith,he learnedhis father's trade.At 15,
he began training with a well-known painter and printmaker. (A printmaker usesprinting to make copies of works of art.) He also studied
math. Latin. and classical literature.
As a young man, Diirer traveled through Germany,Italy, and the
Netherlands.He becamefriends with many humanist artists, writers,
and thinkers. He studied classical sculpture for years to learn ideal
human proportions. He wantedto be able to show the partsof the
the relativesizesof
things,suchasthe lengthof an
armcompared
to the overallsize
ofthehumanbody
engraving a printof an image
thathasbeenengraved,
or
in a hardsurface,
such
etched,
as metal
woodcut a printof an image
thathasbeencarvedin wood
human body correctly sized in relation to each other.
Dtrer's self-portraits show him to be
a fashionable,confident man. He had an
intellectual approachto life and art. He
asked himself, "What is beauty?" His art
was an attempt to answer that question.
Diirer's
woodcut
TheFour
Horsemenof the
Apocalypseillustratesa visionof
Talents and Achievements
In
his painting, Diirer blended the detailed
style of Germany with the perspective
theendofthe
worldthatis
inthe
described
and idealized beauty that he learned from
Italian painting. He encouragedartists to
study measurementand geometry as the
Bible.
Christian
keys to understandingRenaissanceand
classicalart.
Di.irer was especially skilled at making
engravings and woodcuts. Theseare
prints made from an original that is specially preparedfor printing. The original
may be etched, or engraved,in metal, or it
may be cut into a block of wood. Then it
is inked to make copies.In Renaissance
times, printersusedengravingsand woodcutsto illustratebooks.
Much of Diirer's art showsreligiousfigures.He also paintedsubjects
from myths and did a seriesof self-portraits.Like other artists of his
time, he did many portraits of royalty and wealthy patrons. He worked
for years as a court artist for Holy Roman emperorMaximilian I.
Diirer's work is widely admired, particularly his beautiful engravings
and woodcuts. These works set a new standardin printing becauseof
their clarity, expressiveness,and fine detail. Diirer also wrote influential
books about human proportions in art. Many modern artists still read
thesewritings.
Albrecht
Diirer
Leading Figures of the Renaissance 337
30.6 Nicolaus
Copernicus, Polish
Scientist
Nicolaus Copernicus(1473-1543)
was born in Torun, Poland.He is often
called the father of modern astronomy.
Personality and Tiaining
When Copernicuswas 10 yearsold,
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his father died. His uncle, a Catholic
bishop,becamehis guardian.He made
surethat Copernicusreceiveda good
education.
As a young man, Copernicus attended Poland'sUniversity of Krakow.
Then he went to Italy to study medicine
vr
and church law. In Italy he rented
rooms at an astronomyteacher'shouse.
times,mostpeople
Sinceancient
believed
thatEarthwas at the center
illusof the universe.
Thisengraving
Soon he becamefascinatedby astronomy.
tratesCopernicust
theorythatEarth
travelaround
andthe otherplanets
Talents and Achievements
Copernicuswas skilled in mathematics and observation.He basedhis thinking on what he truly saw,
ratherthan on what he thoughthe should see.
thesun.
Copernicus'sscientific work would show that he was highly creative.
He was also a free thinker, unafraid to question acceptedbeliefs.
Like others of his day, Copernicushad been taught that Earth was
at the centerof the universe.According to this idea, the sun, stars,and
planets traveled around Earth.
axis animaginary
linedrawn
orball,such
through
a sphere,
asEarth
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As Copernicusstudiedthe motion of the planets,he becamedissatisfied with this explanation.He proposeda revolutionaryidea. People,
he said, had it backward. In reality, Earth and the other planets revolve
(travel) aroundthe sun. Earth rotates,or turns, on its axis. This turning
is what makesthe sun and other obiectsin the heavensseemto move
acrossthe sky.
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In 1514,Copernicusprinted a booklet that outlined his theory.
Then he began years of work on a full-length book. He called it On
the Revolutionsof the CelestialSpheres.(Celestialmeans"heavenly.")
According to legend,he saw his book in print just a few hours before
his deathin 1543.
Copernicusdedicatedhis book to the pope. However,the idea of
Earth traveling aroundthe sun went againstthe church'sbelief that God
had placedhumansat the centerof the universe.In 1616,the church
forbadepeopleto read Copernicus'sbook.
Nicolaus
Copernicus
338 Chapter30
Despitethe church'sdisapproval,Copernicus'stheory had a major
influence on a few key scientists.Eventually it was proved to be correct.
Today the Copernicantheory is part of the basis of modern astronomy.
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3O.7 Andreas
Vesalius, Belgian
Scientist
AndreasVesalius(1514-1564)
was born in Brussels.in what
is now Belgium.He becamean
outstandingscientist.His work
changedmedicineand the study
of anatomy.
,I
Personality and Training
Vesaliuscamefrom a family
of doctorsand pharmacists.
(Pharmacistsare peoplewho preparemedicines.)He was always
interestedin living things,and
especiallyin anatomy.As a young
boy, he studiedstraydogs and cats.
Vesaliusattended
in Belgium,France,and ltaly.In 1537, Vesalius
universities
dissected
deadbodiesto
he earnedhis medicaldegree,specializingin anatomy.Laterhe became studyhumananatomy.
Heinsisted
on
performing
a personaldoctorfor Italianand Spanishroyalty.
himselfrather
dissections
Vesaliuswas hardworking,curious,and confident.He was also said
to be gloomyanddistantat times.
assistants.
thanrelyingon untrained
Vesaliuswas a talentedobserver
Talents and Achievements
thinker.He also had the artisticskill to draw his
and an independent
observations.
of humananatomywas
In Vesalius'sday,physicians'understanding
basedon the works of the ancientGreeknhvsicianGalen.Vesalius
studiedGalen.but he soonbroke with this tradition.Like Copernicus,
he was determinedto observethingsfor himself.
Vesaliusbegandissecting, or cuttingopen,deadhumanbodies.
His researchshowedthat Galen'swork had reliedon studiesof animals.
As a result,it had many errorswhen appliedto humans.
the
dissect to cutandseparate
partsof a livingthingfor scientific
study
Vesaliusmademany discoveriesaboutthe humanbody.For example, he showedthat that the humanhearthasfour hollow areas,called
chambers.His discoveriesled him to write his own seven-volume
textbookof anatomy.
rf the HumunBod,-.lt
Vesaliuscalledhis book On the Strtrcttrre
explainedthe constructionof the body and how the body functions.The
book containedprintsby artiststhat were basedon Vesalius'sdrawings
of the body.
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It changedwhat people
Vesalius'sbook was a major breakthrough.
knew abouthumananatomyand how they studiedit. It alsochanged
physicians'understanding
of medicine.Todayhis book is seenas the
world's first modernmedicaltextbook.
Vesalius
Andreas
LeadingFiguresof the Renaissance 339
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Oueen
lsabella
I helped
sponsor
3O.8 lsabella I, Oueen of Spain
Christopher
Columbus's
attempt
to
QueenIsabellaI (1451-1504)was born in the Spanishkingdom
finda routeacrosstheAtlantic
0cean of Castile.She is best rememberedfor helping to unify Spain and for
to Asia.Instead
of Asia,Columbus
sponsoringthe voyagesof ChristopherColumbus.
foundtheAmericas.
Inthispainting,
Personality and Training Isabellawas the daughterof the
lsabella
wishesColumbus
a safeand
king of Castile.She was highly intelligent,strong-willed,and a devoted
voyage.
successful
Catholic.Girls at that time receivedlittle education,so Isabella's
{l}
schoolingwas limited. In adulthoodsheeducatedherselfby learning
Latin. As queen,she supportedscholarshipand art, collectedfine
paintings,and built schools.
When her father died, Isabella'shalf-brother,Henry, becameking.
4tO
At 13. Isabellawas broughtto Henry's court. There she learnedabout
New World the namegiven
byEuropeans
to theAmericas,
whichwereunknown
in Eurooe
court affairs.
Talents and Achievements
Isabellawas a forceful woman
who could hold her own in court politics. AgainstHenry'swishes,in
beforethevoyages
of Christopher 1469 shemarried Ferdinandof Aragon, prince of the other major kingdom
Columbus
in Spainat that time. When Henry died five yearslater, Isabella became
queenof Castile.In 1479,Ferdinandinheritedthe throneof Aragon.
The two monarchsnow ruledjointly over a united Spain.
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Isabellaand Ferdinandactivelyencouragedexploration.Isabellagave
her supportto ChristopherColumbus,an Italian who proposedto find
a new searoute to Asia. In 1492,Columbussailedacrossthe Atlantic
and stumbledupon the Americas.His discoveryof this "New World"
would lead to a Spanishempire and creategreatwealth for Spain.You
rq
will learn more abouthis voyagesand their impact in Unit 8.
0ueenlsabella
I
340
Isabellaand Ferdinandalso soughtto further unify Spain as a
Catholic country.Jewswho refusedto convert to Catholicismwere
forced to leave the country.This harsh action cost Spain many of its most
talentedand productivecitizens.For the SpanishJews,it was a tragedy.
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Chapter 30
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3O.9 Elizabeth I, Oueen of England
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QueenElizabethI (1533-1603)was one of England'smost popular
and successfulmonarchs.Born in London, she was the daughterof
King Henry VIII and his secondwife, Anne Boleyn.
subiect a personunderthe rule
of a monarch
playwright an authorof plays
Personality andTraining
When Elizabethwas two yearsold,
King Henry lost interestin her mother,QueenAnne. Claiming that
Anne had been unfaithful to him. he had her beheaded.
armada a largefleetof ships
Elizabethwas raisedin a separate household,away from the
royal court. An English scholar
f
becameher teacherand educated
her as a possiblefuture monarch.
Elizabethwas a gifted student.
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She becamehighly educatedand
learnedto speakGreek,Latin,
French,and Italian.
Elizabethwas strong-minded
ruler, but shewas not stubborn.As
queenshewas willing to listen to
good advice,and she was always
devotedto England.
Talents and
Achievements
Elizabeth
becamequeen at age 25 and
reignedfor 45 years,until her
r
death.She never married,becauseshe fearedthat a husbandwould
take her power. She said she was marriedto the peopleof England.
Elizabethwas a conscientiousand able ruler. She was strongand
independent,but she was also flexible. She was willing to change
unpopularpolicies. She showedpolitical skill in balancingthe interests
:
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OueenElizabeth
I welcomed
artists,
writers,
dancers,
musicians,
and
otherculturalfiguresto hercourt.
Onefrequent
visitorwas poetand
playwright
WilliamShakespeare.
of different peoplein her court. She inspiredgreatlove and loyalty
from her subjects, who calledher "Good QueenBess."
Elizabeth'slong reign is often called England'sGoldenAge.
Culture thrived under her. She supportedtheater,fashion,literature,
dance,and education.Poetsand playwrights composedsomeof
the greatestworks in the English language.
*
s
Elizabethworked to strengthenEngland'seconomy,and sheencouragedtrade and commerce.She authorizedEnglish trading companies
in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.Her funding of seaexploration
helpedEnglandgain a foothold in North America. In 1588,the English
navy defeatedthe SpanishArmada, a mighty fleet that tried to attack
England. This victory sparkeda national celebrationand further
strengthenedEngland'sseapower. By the time Elizabethdied, England
was one of the strongestand richestcountriesin the world.
I
0ueenElizabeth
Leading Figuresof the Renaissance 341
30. 1OWilliam Shakespearo,
English Poet and Playwright
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(1564-1616) was born
William Shakespeare
in the English town of Stratford-on-Avon.He was
a major figure in the English Renaissance.
He is
often called the world's greatestplaywright and
one of its finestpoets.
Personality andTiaining
Shakespeare's
father was a glove maker.As a boy, William
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studied Latin and classical literature in grammar
school.He never went to a university.His plays,
however,show a broad knowledgeof many subjects, from history and politics to music and art.
In his early 20s, Shakespearebecame an actor
136
with a theatercompanyin London. He learned
about drama by performing and writing plays
for the company.Many of his plays were first
presentedat the Globe Theatre.
wroteaboutlifewith
Shakespeare
bothhumoranddrama,
Thistragic
sceneis fromhis playBomeoand
Juliet.
had a reputationfor being quiet
Shakespeare
and a bit mysterious.His writings show that he
was curious and keenly observant.He thoughtdeeply about life and its
sufferings.Yet he also had a senseof humor and found much to laugh
at in life.
Talenta and Achievements
was a skilled actor,
Shakespeare
but he was an even greaterpoet and playwright. He had an encrmous
talent for expressingthoughtsand feelingsin memorableways. His
plays show that he had a deepunderstandingofhuman behaviorand
emotions.Above all, he had the skill to presenthis understanding
playwith
comedy an amusing
a happyending
tragedy a seriousplaywitha
sadending
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through vivid charactersand exciting drama.
poetry is widely admired,especiallythe 14-line
Shakespeare's
poemscalled sonnets.Many of his sonnetsare beautiful love poems.
He is best known, however,for his plays. He wrote both comedies
and tragedies. Many of his 38 plays are still performedtoday around
rl
the world. Among the most popular areRomeo and Juliet, Hamlet,
Macbeth, andThe Merchant of Venice.
plays cover a broad rangeof subjects.He wrote
Shakespeare's
about history,romance,politics, prejudice,murder,suicide,and war.
His plays remain popular in part becausehe wrote about timeless
themessuch as love, jealousy,power, ambition,hatred,and fear.
rls
Shakespeare
has had a deepinfluenceon writers. He also left a lasting mark on the English language.Many common sayingscome from
Shakespeare,
such as "Love is blind" and "All's well that endswell."
Willia m
Sha kespeare
342 Chapter30
I
Peopleoften quote his witty, wise lines, sometimeswithout knowing
that they owe their gracefulwords to Shakespeare.
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30.11 Miguel Gervantes,
Spanish Writer
f
Miguel Cervantes(1547-1616) was born
near Madrid, Spain.He is best known for his
comic novel Don Quixote.
Personality andTraining
Little is
known of Cervantes'education.He may have
studiedwith priestsinfluencedby humanism.
f
It is certainthat he loved to read.
Much of Cervantes'educationcamethrough
hard experience.
At 23,he becamea soldier.In
a battle at sea,he was shot twice in the chest.
He also injured his left hand so badly that the
hand becameuseless.Severalyearslater,he
was taken prisoner at seaby pirates. He spent
,F
five years as a slave in North Africa until his
family bought his freedom.
Cervantes'earlylife showsthat he was
adventurousand courageous.His senseof
humor could be biting, but he also turnedit
on himself. He once braggedthat the public
lf
liked his plays enoughnot to boo them off
the stageor throw vegetablesat the actors.
Cervantes'life also had a shadyside.He was
imprisonedtwice for disputesinvolving money and was once a suspect
*
in a murder.
Talents and Achievements
A gifted writer, Cervanteswrote
many plays, poems,and novels.He had a particulartalent for satire.
His masterpiece,Don Quixote,pokesfun at romantic storiesof heroic
'knights as well as Spanishsociety.The main characterin the novel,
t
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Don Quixote, is a tall, thin, elderly man who has read too many tales
of glorious knights.Although the age of knights is past,he dressesup
Don0uixote.
shownherewithhis
istheheroof Cervantes'
comic
armor,
novel
bythesamename,
satire a workthatusessharp
humorto attackpeopleor society
in rusty arrnor and setsout to do noble deeds.With him is short, stout
SanchoPanza.Sanchois an ordinary farmer who rides a mule, but
Don Quixote seeshim as his faithful squire.
*
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Togetherthe two men have a seriesof comic adventures.In Don
Quixote's imagination,country inns turn into castlesand windmills
into fearsomegiants. While his adventuresare very funny, there is
somethingnoble about the way he bravely fights evil, even if his
deedsare only in his mind.
Don Quixotewas very popular in Spain.King Philip III supposedly
sawi man readingand laughing so hard that he was crying. The king
said, "That man is either crazy or he is readingDon Quixote."Today,
of world literature.
Don Quixoteis consideredone of the masterpieces
Miguel
Cervantes
LeadingFiguresofthe Renaissance 343
30.12 Leonardo da Vinci,
Italian Renaissance Person
(
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Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was born
in a village near Florence.His wide range of
interestsand accomplishmentsmade him a true
person.
Renaissance
As a teen-
Personality and Training
ager,Leonardo trained in Florence under a master sculptor and painter.All his life he studied
many subjects,including art, music, math,
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anatomy,botany, architecture,and engineering.
I
Leonardo spent much of his life in Florence
and Milan. He worked as an artist, engineer,and
architectfor kings, popes,and wealthy patrons.
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A handsome,brilliant man, he had a speciallove
of animals.Sometimeshe bought cagedanimals
.$
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at the market and set them free. He also was a
vegetarian(he ate no meat), which was quite
unusualat the time.
As you can seefrom all the topics he studied,
Leonardowas endlesslycurious.He was a cate-
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ful observer and liked to figure things out for
himself.
Talents and Achievements
Leonardo
was gifted in many fields. He was an accomplishedpainter,sculptor,architect,engineer,
)
and inventor.
surprisingly
smallpainting-only
Leonardo'snotebooksshow him to be one of the greatestcreative
minds of all time. Like Albrecht Diirer, he closely studiedproportions.
He madeprecisedrawingsof people,animals,and plants.He also
about20by30inches-hashada
hugeandlasting
influence
on artists
to thisday.
sketchedout ideasaboutgeometryand mechanics,the scienceof
motion and force. He designedweapons,buildings, and a variety
of machines.Many of the inventionshe drew, such as a helicopter
MonaLisais oneof Leonardo
da
paintings.
Vinci'sbest-known
This
vt
and a submarine,were centuriesaheadof their time.
Leonardo'spaintingsare amongthe world's greatestworks of art.
One of his masterpiecesis the Mona Lisa, a painting of a woman with
a mysterioussmile. It is one of the most famouspaintingsin the world.
Like his other paintings,it displaysa remarkableuse of perspective,
balance,and detail.The rich effectsof light, shade,and color reveal
Leonardo'sclose study of light. Studentsof his art also detecthow
principlesof geometryhelpedhim organizethe spacein his paintings.
Leonardo'sart inspiredother greatartists,such as Michelangelo.
With his many interestsand talents,Leonardois a nearly perfect
Leonardo
daVinci
344 Chapter30
I
t
exampleof the spirit of the Renaissance.
"+
s-
30.13 Ghapter Summary
t
In this chapter,you learned how the Renaissancespreadfrom
Italy acrossEurope. You learnedthat trade, travel, education, and
ideas.Then you
the printing pressall helpedto spreadRenaissance
people.
studiedthe lives and accomplishmentsof 10 Renaissance
{
Renaissanceartistslike Michelangelo,Titian, and Dtirer created
many kinds of art. Each displayedhumanistidealsof realism and
'lt
vr
r:
ir'
beauty.Through their observationsand fresh thinking, scientistslike
Copernicusand Vesaliusdramaticallyincreasedhumanknowledge.
QueenIsabellaand QueenElizabethwere strongmonarchswho
supportedthe arts and encouragedexploration. Shakespeareand
Cervantescreatedmasterpieces
of world literature.Leonardoda
Vinci was a creativegenius.His many interestsmadehim a true
Renaissanceperson.
The spirit of the Renaissance
led peopleto questionmany ideas
and practices.Someof thesequestionswere directedat the church.
In the next chapter,you will learn about a time of religiousunrestin
Europe called the Reformation.
i
PopeJuliusll ordered
artists
Bramante,
Michelangelo,
and
Vatican
Raphael
to construct
the
andSt.Peter's
cathedra..
f,
I
't
t,.
a
a
^l
LeadingFiguresof the Renaissance 345