How Renaissance Art and Literature Changed the World

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video takes students on a journey through a virtual museum to explore the profound cultural shifts of the Renaissance. It contrasts the art and literature of the Middle Ages—characterized by religious themes and flat, stylized figures—with the explosion of Realism, Humanism, and Individualism during the Renaissance. Through detailed analyses of masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, the video demonstrates how artists used techniques like linear perspective and shading to celebrate the human form and experience. The video also examines the literary revolution led by figures like Dante Alighieri and William Shakespeare. It highlights the shift from Latin to vernacular languages, making literature accessible to the common person, and the move toward exploring complex human emotions and everyday experiences rather than just religious doctrine. Key concepts such as Secularism—the separation of institutions from religious beliefs—are defined and applied to show how society began questioning authority and valuing individual potential. Ideal for World History and Art History classes, this video serves as an engaging multimedia text. It helps students visualize abstract historical concepts through famous works of art. Teachers can use this video to anchor discussions on how cultural values are reflected in art, the importance of the printing press and vernacular language in spreading ideas, and the lasting impact of Renaissance thinking on modern views of human potential and individuality.