Renaissance

Literally rebirth in French. Started in 14th Century Italy (where it is called rinascimento), spread all over Europe and lasted till about 17th Century.

The name refers to the rebirth of interest in classical culture of pre-Christian era, a culture that was completely surpressed during the Middle Ages.

It was for the first time in centuries that European intelligentsia considered alternatives to the strictness and harshness of Christianity in arts and philosophy, leading to the dictum Carpe Diem (seize the day), increased study of science, new type of architecture, independent thought, which eventually completed the transition to the modern era.

The artist was given a high position and allowed to look elsewhere than God and spiritual matters for inspiration. Man became the measure of all things as indicated in these two excerpts:

"I have set you in the center of the world, so that from there you may more easily survey whatever is in the world. We have made you neither heavenly nor earthly, neither mortal nor immortal, so that, more freely and more honorably the molder and maker of yourself, you may fashion yourself in whatever form you shall prefer... O supreme generosity of God the Father! O highest and marvelous felicity of man! To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills." - Pico della Mirandola's The Dignity of Man, 1486, (God speaking to Adam)