Edwards, Fred. “What Is Humanism?” American Humanist Association, americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/edwords-what-is-humanism/.

In this article, Fred Edwards explains what humanism means in regards to the various different subcategories. He introduces the definitions of Christian humanism, philosophical humanism, and secular humanism. For purposes of my project however, I focused mainly on his definitions of Renaissance humanism, and modern humanism to see how this movement began, and how it is still in effect today.

 

“Egyptian Art.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ancient-egypt-ap/a/egyptian-art.

In order to understand what humanism is, I need to understand what it is not. Having learned an in-depth definition of Renaissance humanism, I know that it is a shift away from religion. It places an emphasis on the features of humans, and less on divinity and idolized, unrealistic characteristics. A good comparison to make to the humanism during the Renaissance would be the culture of ancient Egypt. This civilization was heavily focused on religion and the afterlife. Using Ancient Egypt as a starting point to analyze artwork will reveal how art has shifted with different ideologies and mindsets.

 

“Renaissance and Humanism in Europe in the 15th and 16th Centuries.” Musée Virtuel Du Protestantisme, 2018, www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/renaissance-and-humanism-in-europe-in-the-15th-and-16th-centuries/.

This webpage provided an introduction to the history of humanism and its development. This webpage did not focus on one main subject such as art or figures, but rather introduced the movement of humanism. It mentioned who were prominent figures in its birth, and how it was a catalyst for major future movements such as the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

 

“Italian Renaissance Art – Humanism.” Cubism – the First Abstract Style of Modern Art, Artyfactory, 2018, www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/italian-renaissance/italian-renaissance-art-humanism.html.

This page provided a look into humanism specifically in art. Having now known the definition of Renaissance humanism as well as an introduction to its history, I am able to build connections to how it affected art. The key features of humanism are present in the examples shown on this webpage such as an emphasis on humans and their imperfections, and less religion.

 

Cline, Austin. “Philosophic Humanism: Modern Humanist Philosophy and Religion.” ThoughtCo, Jun. 22, 2018, thoughtco.com/philosophic-humanism-248113.

This article by Austin Cline gives insight as to how humanism has shifted throughout the centuries, and how it plays a role today. In an age where many individuals are quick to criticize faith and religion, and rather use a justification of science, humanism has become the basis for many. As Cline and Edwards mention, modern humanism can be compared to secular humanism in that they both place an emphasis on features such as the scientific method as a mean of proving questions. Anything that does not have to do with religion in our age according to them, can be classified as modern humanism.