Tordesillas Treaty, Renaissance Art, and Monarchies
The Treaty of Tordesillas: Dividing the World
The Portuguese claimed territories in America based on the Treaty of Alcaçovas (1479), which divided territories in the Atlantic Ocean between Spain and Portugal. The Catholic Monarchs also claimed that the territories discovered by Columbus were west of the Canary Islands, not south.
To resolve the conflict, the kings of Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494). This treaty divided newly discovered lands outside Europe using an imaginary line near Cape Verde:
- Spain: Received all lands west (including the Canary Islands).
- Portugal: Received all lands east (including Brazil in America).
San Pietro in Montorio
- Church designed by Bramante.
- Made of stone.
- Features Tuscan columns with a base and simple capital.
- Above the columns: entablature, balustrade, and dome.
- Reliefs on the frieze (heraldry = Pope’s symbol).
- Circular plan.
- Cinquecento style.
Cathedral of Florence
- This cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore) was designed by Brunelleschi.
- Made of marble.
- Walls: buttresses.
- Dome: Designed by Brunelleschi over an octagonal structure (the first dome built in Europe since the 2nd century).
- Features reliefs, sculptures, and colored marbles.
- Quattrocento style.
David, by Michelangelo
- Made of marble.
- Free-standing sculpture.
- David is a character from the Bible, a king of Israel who fought against the giant Goliath. He defeated Goliath by throwing a stone. Michelangelo uses this story as an excuse to represent human anatomy.
- Technique: Contrapposto (posture on one leg). Represents controlled passion and strength.
- Decoration for the city of Florence, commissioned by the Medici.
- Propaganda: Florence is represented by David, while Goliath represents the large European states during the Early Modern Age.
- Quattrocento (beginning of 16th-century style).
Portuguese Voyages
- Henry the Navigator
- Bartolomé Diaz
- Vasco da Gama
Authoritarian Monarchies
Middle Ages: Feudal monarchies; kings’ power was limited. Nobility and clergy had power within their fiefs.
Modern Period: Authoritarian monarchies; the king’s power becomes unlimited. Kings consolidate their authority and power by weakening the power of others.
Capitalism
Everyone is free to create businesses. The market determines the price of products and their quality. Capital is the engine that enables wealth.
Renaissance Art
Renaissance art is a style that began in Italy in the 15th century and spread to the rest of Europe in the 16th century.
- Quattrocento (15th century) Florence; leading center of art. Key figures: Brunelleschi and Alberti.
- Cinquecento (16th century) Rome; Key figures: Bramante and Michelangelo.
Saint Peter’s Basilica
By Bramante and Michelangelo
- The greatest church in Christian Europe.
- Located in Vatican City (city-state).
- Greek-cross plan.
- Features all the classical elements.
- An impressive dome by Michelangelo, who also painted the inner part with religious themes.
- It is the symbol of Rome.