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. ... 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 collected artwork in a culture where the economy was much better than during the Middle Ages. ... Giotto di Bondone most regarded as Giotto (1266/7...

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

If one were to gaze upon the statue of "David" by Michelangelo (1475-1564), they would notice the high esteem in which the human body was portrayed. ... 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). ... At first, the humanists fervently defe...

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

The period is more or less considered as playing out what had been set up in the later Middle Ages. ... The Renaissance is defined as the revival or rebirth of the arts; the period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages; conventionally held to have been characterized by a surge of interest in classical learning and values. ... It was during this time that Europe was busy pulling herself out of the economic stagnation of the Middle Ages. ... Of all the practices of Renaissance Europe, nothing is used to distinguish the Renaissance from the Middle Ages more than humani...

• Word Count: 1970
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

New ideas in medicine, politics and the arts came to life as reformation took it's place. ... The middle class consisted of shopkeepers and professionals. ... The Renaissance was known for many advances in politics and medicine. ... When the middle ages ended, cities, and buildings were all small with nearly no color or life to them. ... The Catholic Church plays a big role in shaping the political system. ...

• Word Count: 1651
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The Italians, through organization and cleverness exploited their advantages, and by the high Middle Ages strong, wealthy and independent city-states, unlike the manors of Europe, had evolved. ... This was one of the decisive steps away from the church and towards a humanistic approach to life. ... Petrarch characterized the earliest glimmerings of humanism in a mindset dominated by the Christian church. He is seen as the writer who most clearly had one foot in the Middle Ages and the other in the Renaissance. ... The family was forced to leave Florence for Avignon when the Guelph party t...

• Word Count: 2254
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School