Giotto (1266-1337): Italian painter and architect whose more realistic depictions of human emotions influenced generations of artists.Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400): English poet and author of “The Canterbury Tales.”.Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679): English philosopher and author of “Leviathan.”.Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543): Mathematician and astronomer who made first modern scientific argument for the concept of a heliocentric solar system.Placed under house arrest for his views of a heliocentric universe. Galileo (1564-1642): Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer whose pioneering work with telescopes enabled him to describes the moons of Jupiter and rings of Saturn.Famous for stating, “I think therefore I am.” Rene Descartes (1596–1650): French philosopher and mathematician regarded as the father of modern philosophy.Translator of the New Testament into Greek. Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536): Scholar from Holland who defined the humanist movement in Northern Europe.Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519): Italian painter, architect, inventor and “Renaissance man” responsible for painting “The Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.Some of the most famous and groundbreaking Renaissance intellectuals, artists, scientists and writers include the likes of: Then, during the 15th century, Renaissance ideas spread from Italy to France and then throughout western and northern Europe.Īlthough other European countries experienced their Renaissance later than Italy, the impacts were still revolutionary. The movement first expanded to other Italian city-states, such as Venice, Milan, Bologna, Ferrara and Rome. Great Italian writers, artists, politicians and others declared that they were participating in an intellectual and artistic revolution that would be much different from what they experienced during the Dark Ages. Members of the powerful Medici family, which ruled Florence for more than 60 years, were famous backers of the movement. The Renaissance started in Florence, Italy, a place with a rich cultural history where wealthy citizens could afford to support budding artists. In 1450, the invention of the Gutenberg printing press allowed for improved communication throughout Europe and for ideas to spread more quickly.Īs a result of this advance in communication, little-known texts from early humanist authors such as those by Francesco Petrarch and Giovanni Boccaccio, which promoted the renewal of traditional Greek and Roman culture and values, were printed and distributed to the masses.Īdditionally, many scholars believe advances in international finance and trade impacted culture in Europe and set the stage for the Renaissance. Among its many principles, humanism promoted the idea that man was the center of his own universe, and people should embrace human achievements in education, classical arts, literature and science. Humanismĭuring the 14th century, a cultural movement called humanism began to gain momentum in Italy. Some historians, however, believe that such grim depictions of the Middle Ages were greatly exaggerated, though many agree that there was relatively little regard for ancient Greek and Roman philosophies and learning at the time. and the beginning of the 14th century, Europeans made few advances in science and art.Īlso known as the “Dark Ages,” the era is often branded as a time of war, ignorance, famine and pandemics such as the Black Death. From Darkness to Light: The Renaissance Beginsĭuring the Middle Ages, a period that took place between the fall of ancient Rome in 476 A.D.

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