Final answer:
Francesco Petrarch is recognized as the father of Italian Renaissance humanism, a movement that marked the shift from medieval to Renaissance ways of thinking and underscores the potential and achievements of human beings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Francesco Petrarch: The Father of Italian Renaissance Humanism
Petrarch, more formally known as Francesco Petrarca, has been hailed as the father of Italian Renaissance humanism. This movement marked a significant break from the medieval period, emphasizing the study and achievements of human beings. During the 14th century, the evolution of humanism became a central element in the cultural changes that set the stage for the Renaissance. Humanists like Petrarch looked back to the classical age of Greece and Rome, seeking wisdom and guidance from the texts and philosophies of that period. They endeavored to address human potentiality and celebrated individuals for their achievements.
The correct answer to the question, '____ was called the father of Italian Renaissance humanism' is C) Petrarch. While Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, and Michelangelo were also key figures in the Renaissance, it was Petrarch's passionate study and revival of classical antiquity that laid the groundwork for humanism, influencing both the culture and scholars of the time.