However, in the 19th century, Jules Michelet and Jakob Burckhardt popularized the idea of the Renaissance as a distinct historical period heralding the modern age, characterized by the rise of the individual, scientific inquiry, geographical exploration, and the growth of secular values. ... The classical poets and mythologys were well known throughout the Middle Ages. ... In the middle forground, long golden haired Venus covers her breast with her right hand and stands upon giant shells. ... Soft golden tones highlighting the figure also resound with the backgournd landscape. ...

• Word Count: 1380
• Approx Pages: 6

This term describes the radical and comprehensive changes that took place in European culture, bring about the demise of the Middle Ages and embodying for the first time the values of the modern world. ... "In the 19th century, Jules Michelet and Jakob Burckhardt popularized the idea of the Renaissance as "a distinct historical period heralding the modern age, characterized by the rise of the individual, scientific inquiry and geographical exploration, and the growth of secular value""(Cole, 1994, 13). ... The presentation of Venus, nude, was in itself "an innovation since, as we have seen, ...

• Word Count: 1721
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Originally the mausoleum was a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. ... The Renaissance was a golden age of church building. ... Much of this money went to sponsor the great architects and artists of the age. ...

• Word Count: 2259
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli One cannot describe the "rebirth" of lifelike art without first describing its predecessor, therefore to understand the full glory of the Renaissance, a short explanation of the Middle Ages is needed. During the Middle Ages, art had strayed from elaborate depictions of great mythological stories and beautiful scenes from the bible, to images of humans as corrupt beings and scenes of judgment and salvation from the bible. ... Part of the Renaissance coincided with Lorenzo de" Medici's reign, which was a golden age for men of genius; one who fl...

• Word Count: 1718
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Seen as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the modern era, The Renaissance also marked a cognitive shift from a religious perspective to a more intellectual and social focus. ... Renaissance theorists felt that they were embarking on a glorious new time period, parting from an era they regarded as "the dark ages". ... Western Europe had been unified by one Church during the Middle Ages, which was controlled in the ancient city of Rome. ... As previously mentioned, art and learning during the Middle Ages were centered on the church and religion. ... These individuals also purchased and collec...

• Word Count: 2474
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In 1368 Petrarch wrote De sui ipsius et multorum ignorantia (On his own ignorance and that of many others), which became a significant example of the contrast of humanism of the Renaissance to scholasticism of the Middle Ages. ... Petrarch urged others to awaken from the darkness "of the Middle Ages and move forward out of "the slumber of forgetfulness into the pure radiance of the past" (Humanism 1). ... They thought of themselves as "apostles of a new golden age that would usher in the rinascita " or rebirth of all societies with the resurgence of classical literature and art (Humanism" 1). ...

• Word Count: 2321
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

But he conceded, and Michelangelo began his formal training as an artist at the age of 13. ... A French Cardinal named Jean de Villiers de la Groslaye commissioned the Pieta in 1498. " The historic contract for the Pieta, dated August 26, 1498, says: Let it be known that the most Reverend Cardinal of San Donigi [the name of his titular church] has thus agreed with the master Michelangelo, sculptor of Florence, to wit, that the said master shall make a pieta of marble at his own cost; that is to say, a Virgin Mary clothed, with the dead Christ in her arms, of the size of a proper man, for th...

• Word Count: 1812
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School