Renaissance theorists felt that they were embarking on a glorious new time period, parting from an era they regarded as "the dark ages". ... Prior to the printing press, all books were written out entirely by hand, making them costly and rare. Given the expense of books, most people could not afford to learn to read. With the advent of the printing press, books became more affordable leading to the expansion of education throughout Europe. ... What many consider his masterwork is the Arena chapel, decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, which depicts the life of Christ and of the virgin ...

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

As the Renaissance progressed and as the new learning spread, more and more books became available due to the invention on the printing press and popular ideas about education began to change. It is important to note that up to this time books were mostly written by monks and would therefore have had a certain religious viewpoint in them. ... There were many different opinions at this time. ... During the middle ages (the period of time before the Renaissance), the subjects of paintings looked flat and lacked any feeling of movement. ... As well as developing a new style in their work, painti...

• Word Count: 1426
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

It was during this time that Europe was busy pulling herself out of the economic stagnation of the Middle Ages. ... Artistically, it was a time of firsts such as the first time oil paint was used; the first time symbols and real-life events were represented together in the same painting; the first time scientific principles crept into art. ... Generally speaking--the main elements of the Renaissance were:  Oil paint was used for the first time--prior to this point, egg tempera was the medium of choice.  Both symbols and real-life events were represented together in...

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

He preached dramatic sermons to the Florentines, telling them to repent and burn all their books (which were expensive and sought after during the Renaissance) in preparation for the judgment day. ... He spent most of his life working for the Medici's, and it is represented in Adoration of the Magi, where, although it was not the Medici's who commissioned him to do the work, they still appear in it. It was common in this time of patronage to illustrate your patrons in your works, and many other artists carried out the act also. ... This was mainly achieved through the anatomical stud...

• Word Count: 1530
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The Renaissance was a time of great achievements and cultural change. ... Although there was a re-birth in both Italy and Northern Europe, they did not occur around the same time. ... Others discovered the joy of reading classical books and became interested in poetry, history, and philosophy. ... This new study said, " God had given mankind the potential to achieve a good life, and thus it was the duty of each person to use those talents to the fullest" (Hunt 1). ... The North believed that they should live a simple life (Hunt). ...

• Word Count: 2114
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Petrarch opted out of studying law in order to devote his life to literature. ... In his time, no longer were the teachings of the church and Aristotle, a teleologist who believed in eudaimonia, often described as the highest form of human good, suitable (Kessler 59). ... During the political turmoil within the city, the study of classical texts and the values learned from them were to be fused with the republican beliefs of the time (Humanism 1). ... As a result, humanism was reflected in all types of literary works; rhetorical pieces, poetry, historical accounts, and even books on education...

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