Italian Renaissance.

What was the significance of the Italian Renaissance, vis-a-vis the intentions of patrons?

• What was the significance of the Italian Renaissance, especially re the intentions of the promoters of the art? I read this in Wikipedia, under "Quattrocento": "Quattrocento (which means the early renaissance) lay at the forefront of what was to become the Italian Renaissance. Its international manifesto resembles a happening of cultural and artistic events during the 15th century which embraced the artistic styles of the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance: a forefront collection of high-end individualism in the arts to promote the presence of a scientific, cultural, social and economic revolution in hope of preserving the Monarchy through Christianity." The last part seems to imply certain political motives among the promoters of Renaissance styles. Does anyone know about this, or have any useful thoughts?

• Answer:

  The majority of the patrons in Rome and throughout Italy were associated with the Catholic Church in some way, that is why so much art from the period is Roman Catholic based. Many of the artists, DaVinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, etc were paid to produce works of art that celebrated Christianity. This was certainly motivated to keep Christianity in power and celebrate it.