Renaissance / revival
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Renaissance
A cultural era in Europe that lasted roughly from the 14th to the 17th century and is characterized by the rediscovery of the art and science of antiquity.
Leonardo da Vinci ist einer der berühmtesten Künstler der Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance.
The word 'Renaissance' comes from French and literally means 'rebirth'. This origin explains both the historical era (the rebirth of antiquity) and the general meaning of a revival.
Die Erfindung des Buchdrucks trug zur Renaissance des Wissens bei.
The invention of the printing press contributed to the renaissance of knowledge.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. If it is about history, art history, or the period from the 14th to the 17th century, the historical era is meant. If it is about modern trends, products, or ideas, a revival is meant.
In der Renaissance veränderte sich das Weltbild der Menschen.
In the Renaissance, people's worldview changed.
In the meaning of 'Wiederbelebung' (revival), 'Renaissance' is very often combined with the verb 'erleben' (to experience) or 'erfahren' (to undergo/experience). A typical formulation is 'etwas erlebt eine Renaissance' (something is experiencing a revival).
Das Interesse an alten Brettspielen erlebt eine unerwartete Renaissance.
Interest in old board games is experiencing an unexpected revival.
Middle Ages
'Mittelalter' and 'Renaissance' are both important periods in European history. They can be confused because they are close to each other in time and partly overlap. 'Mittelalter' means the older period between antiquity and the modern era, with chivalry, feudalism, and the strong influence of the church. 'Renaissance' comes later and emphasizes the rediscovery of antiquity in art, science, and thought. As a simple guide: the Middle Ages sound more like castles and knights, while the Renaissance sounds more like art, research, and a renewed interest in antiquity.
In der Renaissance interessierten sich viele Künstler wieder stark für die Antike.
During the Renaissance, many artists again became very interested in antiquity.
Im Geschichtsunterricht lesen wir über Städte und Burgen im Mittelalter.
In history class, we read about cities and castles in the Middle Ages.