Final answer:
The period known as The Renaissance, beginning in the 15th century was a time of renewed interest in classical learning, intellectual growth, and artistic innovation. This cultural shift took place in Europe and led to significant developments in arts, humanism, science, and education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period that led to a revival of classical learning and fostered a new interest in the arts, including a balance between intellect and religious faith, was The Renaissance. This era is characterized by a return to the classical ideas of ancient Greek and Roman societies, a significant shift from the medieval period, and the genesis of a cultural transformation that saw advancements in various fields such as art, literature, politics, and science. The Renaissance, literally meaning 'rebirth,' is most notably recognized for its contributions to art, where a transition from utilitarian to aesthetic art emerged, humanism flourished in philosophy and the sciences, and there was an overall embrace of individualism and secularism which fostered social and economic changes.
The Renaissance began in the 15th century, particularly in the Italian city-states like Florence, which had grown wealthy through trade. Influential figures such as Petrarch encouraged a return to 'pure' Classical Latin and the emulation of ancient Roman poets and orators. There was an overall transformation in educational reforms, architectural designs, and artistic representations that drew heavily upon classical antiquity.
During the Renaissance, there was an increase in the dissection of human bodies to promote the study of anatomy, the invention of mathematical perspective to accurately portray physical space in art, and the revival of classics, particularly the works of Plato. The Renaissance artists and thinkers, including Galileo and Christopher Columbus, actively challenged prevailing knowledge and opened the way for the expansion of human understanding. It was a time of great innovation that significantly influenced the future course of European intellectual and artistic life.