Second, it was when Bishop Otto (1114-1158) came to Italy in the 12th century that Bishop Otto (1114-1158) noticed the emergence of a new form of political and social organization, and observed that he seemed to have begun to break away from feudalism and make merchants and commerce his social basis in northern Italy.

According to the historian and political philosopher Quentin Skinner in his book A General History of Art, "First of all, there is the discovery of man. In the Middle Ages, the ideal person should be inferior, negative, and inactive, and the meaning of man in the world is not commendable. The Renaissance discovered the greatness of man and man, affirmed the value and creativity of man, and proposed that in order for man to be emancipated, his personality should be free. ”。

Engels also spoke highly of it

The progressive role of the "Renaissance" in history. He wrote: "This is the greatest and most progressive transformation that humanity has ever experienced, a time that needs giants and produces giants—giants in thinking ability, enthusiasm and character, in versatility and erudition." "With the spread of the Renaissance to Europe, a large number of talents appeared, and the Age of Discovery was triggered.

Benoy's insights into art and history fascinated Martin, who had no idea that this little girl could hold such a huge treasure in her body and mind.

Benoy did not notice his expression, but continued to immerse himself in his own account: Florentine politics was divided into two factions, the Zipberlins who were loyal to the Holy Roman Emperor, and the Gelfi factions who were loyal to the Pope.

After 1266, due to the power of the pope, the Gelphilians were victorious and exiled the Zippelins.

Pope Boniface VIII, who was elected in 1294 after the Gelfi came to power, wanted to control Florence, and some wealthy citizens wanted the independence of the city and were unwilling to be subject to the pope

The "White Party", the other part did not settle down, hoping to turn over with the help of the Pope's power and become

"Black Party". The two factions fought again, Benoy said, and my ancestors' family, which had belonged to the Gelfi faction and was a fervent advocate of independence and freedom, became the backbone of the White Party and was elected as one of the six members of the Executive Committee, the highest organ of power.

But now most of these historical people have forgotten. Before the end of the 15th century, there were three main trade routes from the West to the East.

One is by land, i.e. traditional

The "Silk Road" landed in Constantinople, passed through Asia Minor, the Black Sea and the southern shores of the Caspian Sea to Central Asia, and then crossed the Pamirs to China.

The other two were by sea: one from Syria and the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, through the two river basins to the Persian Gulf, and the other from Egypt to the Gulf of Aden via the Red Sea, where it changed ships to India and China.

These trade routes had already passed through merchants from Italy, Arabia, Byzantium, and Persia before they could reach Western Europe.

In the middle of the 15th century, the Ottoman Turkish Empire rose to occupy Asia Minor and the Balkans, controlled traditional trade routes, and imposed heavy taxes on passing goods, so that the goods arriving in Western Europe were not only small, but also 8-10 times higher than the original price.

As a result, the merchants and aristocrats of Western Europe were eager to open a new route to China and India, bypassing the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.

In the 15th century, the improvement of science and technology and the advancement of geographical knowledge made it possible to sail the oceans, creating the necessary conditions for opening up new shipping routes.

Eventually, new sea routes were opened, and with the tremendous development of this period, Europe became a world leader.

This objectively contributed to the integration of the art of various countries, forming an unprecedented group in the history of Europe

"Royal Cabaret". We can imagine the infinite charm of Dante's "Divine Comedy".

But the good times didn't last long, and with the Black Death, people fled their homes one after another, which tens of thousands

The "Royal Kabuki" naturally scattered and fled for their lives. After settling in the countryside, they will inevitably spread the art of the palace to the people.