Was the Renaissance just a period of extraordinary art and architecture?

The Renaissance: All That Matters examines the major developments of the Renaissance era from its beginnings in Italian city/states to later cultural, political, and scientific achievements in France, Spain, England, and Germany.

By examining original sources and introducing readers to new research and important debates, this accessible book provides an exciting introduction to the Renaissance age. It is a perfect guide for travelers seeking a concise introduction to the Renaissance in Europe, as well as students and teachers who need a supplemental text to accompany lectures on Renaissance art, politics, and culture.

The book emphasizes two practical themes to orient readers to the period. Firstly, what are the essential features of the Renaissance movement that gradually transformed Europe in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries? Secondly, how many of these cultural, artistic, and intellectual transformations continue to influence modern societies today?