Final answer:
The Renaissance impacted Europeans differently, with the cultural elite being first influenced. Over time, Renaissance ideas spread more broadly, significantly affecting European art, thought, and daily life by the 17th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Renaissance was a period of significant artistic and intellectual growth that began in Italy during the 14th century and eventually spread throughout Europe. It was characterized by a revival of interest in the classical art and learning of ancient Greece and Rome. The impact of the Renaissance on Europeans varied significantly depending on factors such as class, geography, and time period.
While exact percentages are difficult to ascertain, it is clear that the cultural and socio-economic elite were among the first to embrace Renaissance ideas. This included members of the nobility, wealthy merchants, and those involved in the burgeoning banking industry. As Renaissance art and humanism flourished, it spread to a broader audience, influencing and being incorporated into local art styles.
The influx of classical knowledge facilitated by Byzantine scholars, the economic shift following the Black Death, and the advances in art and science all contributed to altering the European mindset and worldview. By the 17th century, European influence had spread worldwide, and European art styles had begun to mingle with indigenous styles in colonized regions, signaling the far-reaching influence of the Renaissance.