The Renaissance

In the Medieval Sourcebook: Giorgio Vasari: Life of Leonardo da Vinci 1550 it describes how he was a painter and sculptor of Florence. In the source it talks about Da Vinci in a very high manor even to the point of indicating that he and his art were bestowed by God. In Da Vinci’s lifetime he was held in high esteem but was even more so after his death. It was very common for him to start to learn many things, but then abandoned them after a while. He never finished one piece of art since he felt that he could never measure up, and they would not be represented in the way they deserved. Da Vinci would get lost in his artwork with the strokes of his hand on the canvas. He started many paintings but was always wary of finishing their faces like his wifes and Jesus’. Vasari depicts the life of Leondardo da Vinci as very magical and full of admiration. 

Medieval Sourcebook: Niccolo Machiavelli: The Prince, identifies what makes monarchy work and whether it is better to be feared than loved. In the text it states that it is better to be feared than loved since it is difficult to be both. When they are afraid of you, people will shed their blood for you, offer you their property, life and children. However, you cannot be hated. When you are hated people will turn against you and not be willing to fight for you in conflicts with others. It is also important to take care of your people since it will come back to be the key thing that destroys you if you don’t. Also knowing how to treat your wrong doing and use it to help yourself will help you when ruling over your citizens. There is a balance that needs to be had between your citizens and the prince. For the prince, how they get the people to do what they want is not important, what matters is that they do it.