How Did Humanism Change Art and Literature During the Renaissance?

Humanism was a special movement that started during the Renaissance. It changed how people thought about themselves and the world around them. It focused on studying classical texts and believed in the potential and achievements of people.

Influence on Art:

1. Realism and Perspective:

   • Humanists wanted art to look more real. They introduced new techniques like linear perspective.
   • For example, in Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper," perspective makes the room look three-dimensional and lifelike.

2. Classical Themes:

   • Artists often looked back to ancient Greek and Roman stories for inspiration.
   • You can see this in works like Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus," which features mythological themes.

3. Portraits:

   • Humanism encouraged artists to focus on individual people. This led to more portrait paintings that showed real human emotions and identities.
   • By the late 1500s, about 20% of all paintings were portraits.

Influence on Literature:

1. Vernacular Language:

   • Humanists wanted writers to use everyday language instead of Latin. This made literature easier for more people to understand.
   • Dante’s "Divine Comedy," written in Italian, is a great example. It became popular because many people could read it.

2. Focus on Human Experience:

   • Literature started to explore feelings and what it means to be human.
   • Shakespeare’s plays, written between 1589 and 1613, often look at human nature and social issues. This shows how humanism influenced his writing.

3. Education Changes:

   • Humanism emphasized the importance of education. This led to new schools that taught classical studies and the humanities.
   • By the early 1500s, these humanist schools helped increase literacy, which meant more people could read and learn.

In conclusion, humanism was really important for changing art and literature during the Renaissance. It promoted realism and individualism and focused on human experiences. This laid the groundwork for how we think in modern times.