The Italian Renaissance: Culture, Arts and Sciences

Description

October 9: Ralph Johnson

The Italian Renaissance Introduction

The Renaissance is considered one of Europe's most significant periods. It was marked by dramatic developments in the arts, architecture, science, economics, exploration, literature, ruling families, and the emergence of new philosophical concepts that continue to influence us today. Emerging on the Italian peninsula throughout the 14th and 15th centuries and culminating in the 16th century, it displaced the "Dark Ages" and ushered in the "Enlightenment" by returning to ancient ideals. The introduction to this six-part series on the Italian Renaissance will offer insights into the causes of the Renaissance, why the Renaissance began in Italy, key events in Renaissance history and factors that scholars believe brought about the demise of the Renaissance movement by the early 17th century.

October 16: Ralph Johnson

Architecture Throughout the Italian Renaissance

In 1452, Leon Battista Alberti, an Italian historian, published his "Ten Books on Architecture" based on the writings of Vitruvius, an architect and architectural theorist of the 1st century BC. The "Ten Books on Architecture" became the foundation for Renaissance architecture, advancing the engineering knowledge of antiquity and the stylistic principles of classical art. Alberti also proposed a fully developed aesthetic theory of proportionality and harmony. This session will focus on architecture's sensual appeal and intellectual engagement as it developed in central Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries, beginning with the work of Filippo Brunelleschi in Florence and culminating in the buildings of Andrea Palladio in Venice.

October 23: Sharon Eversman

Sciences in the Italian Renaissance

The Renaissance was a time of amazing awakening in the sciences of astronomy, chemistry, anatomy, geography, physics, engineering and mathematics. Observation and experimentation led to more accurate interpretations of natural phenomena, and the availability of the printing press led to the dispersal of information from Italy to the rest of Europe. Some of the most important names of the Renaissance are Vesalius (human anatomy), Copernicus and Galileo (astronomy) and Leonardo da Vinci (technology, anatomy, fossils).

October 30: Valerie Weber

Music in the Italian Renaissance

The field of music underwent dramatic changes during the Renaissance. The influence of the Catholic Church, printing technology, a codification of forms, the rise of new textures and harmonies, period instruments, and a division between professional and amateur music-making resulted in a distinctive stylistic repertoire that set the stage for the Baroque era.

November 6: Ada Giusti

Major Writers of the Italian Renaissance

Introduction to three major writers of the Italian Renaissance: Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio.

November 13: Erin Anderson

Art of the Ruling Families of the Italian Renaissance

Learn about influencers of Italian Renaissance art, based primarily on the ruling families of the Italian Renaissance, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Cellini, Alberti, Ghiberti and Mantegna.

Course Takeaways

After attending this program, participants will:

• Understand the social, economic, and cultural impact of ancient Greek and Roman texts as leading factors in the emergence of the Renaissance.
• Understand why the Renaissance began in Italy.
• Gain an overview and general timeline of the Renaissance's key philosophical, political, religious and scientific events.

Scholarship

Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.