Corruption In The Renaissance

The Renaissance was a cultural movement covering the period roughly from the XIV to the XVII

century. The word ‘renaissance’ is from French meaning rebirth, and refers to the restarting of

thought, learning and culture. It began in Italy and later spread to the rest of Europe, although the

changes of the Renaissance were not the same across the whole the Europe. In culture it included

new developments in both Latin and Vernacular Literatures with learning based on classical sources.

In art the development of linear prospective and other techniques gave a more natural reality.

There is a general agreement that the Renaissance began in Florence, Italy. Various theories have

tried to explain why, focusing on factors including the

Religious leaders such as Erasmus and Luther proposed reform to the

Church based on humanist criticism of New Testament. It was Luther, who published the ’95 Theses’

in 1517. Here he challenged the Pope’s authority and argued against corruption. This led to the

Reformation, a break with the Roman Catholic Church and formation of the Protestant Church.

The rediscovery of ancient texts and the invention of printing made learning much more available,

and allowed the faster spread of ideas. Science and art were very strongly linked in the early years of

the Renaissance, with people such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo being polymaths rather

than simply artists. Da Vinci made observations and controlled experiments, and his principles of

research has led to him being described as ‘the father of modern science’.

In 1492 the discovery of ‘New World’ by Christopher Columbus challenged the classical world view as

the ancient works of Ptolemy on geography and Galen on medicine were found not always to meet

everyday observations.

More general scientific revolution began in 1543, when ‘De Humani Corporis Fabrica’ or ‘On the

workings of the human body’ which gave a mechanical view of an anatomy, was first printed.

The humanists believed that it was important to enter the afterlife with a perfect mind and body.

They argued that this can only be done through education. The purpose of humanism was to create

a universal man who combined both, physical beauty and intellectual excellence and who would be

honorable in virtually any situation.

The Renaissance can therefore be seen a period of great change and development across Europe.

The Roman Catholic Church fought to maintain its power while Europe came in to contact with other

religions and Christians themselves began to question the role and dominance of the Vatican. Added

to that, were discoveries in all fields including anatomy and astrology and even physical discoveries

such as Columbus’s voyage to the New World. It is against this background that some of the greatest

works of art were created by some great artists. This polymaths would have had opinions shaped by

the discoveries and developments of the time, but would have depended on the Church to

commission and pay for their work. The question is: To what extend the Church and new