During the 16th century, Europe was undergoing changes and developing two artistic styles, as well as a religious situation. These styles were known as Northern Renaissance and Late Mannerism, also encountered by the Reformation, which separated religious unity. During the Reformation, hostile groups known as Protestants formed against the church because they wanted a complete renewal of the church and Roman Catholics. Late Mannerism emerged at the end of the century and had little influence on Spanish literature, but prevailed on Spanish painting. Late Mannerism also had a dominant Counter-Reformation impact on the arts, architecture, and music. After Europe passed through the disastrous “age of darkness,” complete changes in social methods and conditions occurred. These revolutionary changes occurred between the 14th and 16th centuries and marked the beginning of Europe's "modern age". This significant revolution, known as "The Renaissance", began in Florence, Northern Italy, because Italy was in a geographically strategic position, where the center of trade existed. Since numerous merchants and people from other continents passed through the Mediterranean, Italy began to become a place where people shared their ideas without prejudice. But the Renaissance in fact also brought numerous replacements, which first covered all of Italy and brought Europe to the beginning of the Golden Age. These changes have occurred in the economy and lifestyle, in attitudes to learning and knowledge, and in conditions for the arts. Northern humanism, or Christian humanism, was known for its contributions to the Renaissance with idealism, rationalism and classicism... ... middle of paper ...... the most incredible philosophers, artists and architects emerged. As civilization expanded and economic growth, changes in how culture grew contributed to changes in how religion and art reflected it. As a final sign, the Renaissance created an advancement over the Middle Ages and provided a positive cultural change that expanded the intellectual need. Works Cited http://library.thinkquest.org. April 26, 2012.http://totallyhistory.com/raphael-sanzio/. April 26, 2012. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/itar/hd_itar.htm. April 23, 2012. http://www.micahelangelo.com. and April 26, 2012. http://www.sacred-destinations.com. 26 April 2012. http://www.sandrobotticelli.net/biografia.html. and April 26, 2012. Matthews, Roy, DeWitt F Platt, and Thomas Noble. Western humanities. New York: McGraw-Hill Company, 2011.