Renaissance

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The Renaissance is a period in Europe, from the 14th to the 17th century, considered the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history.

Started from: 

It started as a cultural movement in Italy in the Late Medieval period and later spread to the rest of Europe, marking the beginning of the Early Modern Age.

Meaning:

The word Renaissance, literally meaning "Rebirth" in French.

Age of renaissance is called as Age of learning.

Overview:

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life in the early modern period. Beginning in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence was felt in literature, philosophy, art, music, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of intellectual inquiry.

Development: Due to the invention of printing press by Guttenberg which significantly increased the progress of literature and led to ‘age of learning’.

Characteristics:

Humanism: It is characterized as the creation of fresh intellectual atmosphere. It resulted in the liberation of the mind of man from the shackles of dogmas.

Art: Art was one of the prominent methods to depict the daily life and also it reflected the society. Vibrant art movement in Europe during renaissance is a proof of arts and development of painting, sculpting etc.

Example: Famous painter like Leonardo da Vinci (His notable work Monalisa and The Last Supper)

Michelangelo (His notable work The Last Judgement and The Fall of Man)

Science: Though scientific development could not progress much. But, famous astronomer like Bruno, Kepler and Galileo gave new scientific vision for future development. This is considered as a "scientific revolution", heralding the beginning of the modern age. The new scientific method led to great contributions in the fields of astronomy, physics, biology, and anatomy.

Music: The emergence of the trend of common, unifying musical language, in the particular the polyphonic style of music was seen.

Example: Beethoven's music composition. 

Literature: Renaissance witnessed the innovative blossoming of Latin and vernacular literature. With the invention of printing press by Guttenberg literary development was taken to higher heights.

Example: Development of literary, historical, oratorical and theological texts.

Conclusion:

Renaissance was primarily a time of the revival of Classical learning and wisdom after a long period of cultural decline and stagnation.