Answer:
a. the catholic church
Step-by-step explanation:
Renaissance was a period in Europe of artistic, cultural and political revolution. It took place from 14th to 17th Century. It originated in the geographical area of Italy but quickly spread to the rest of Europe. The basis for Renaissance was the rediscovered of art and philosophy of the Ancient Greeks. It gave a new perspective in all of these fields.
Even though the Catholic Church sponsored Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, there was also a conflict between artists and clerics. For example, Erasmus in his book "The Praise of Folly" criticizes the corruption in the Church. The Papacy was getting question by other artists as well. All this criticism sparked a period of Reformation in the Church and paved the way for the rise of Protestantism.