John M. Najemy is Professor of History at Cornell University and the author of “A History of Florence 1200-1575”. Najemy has research in the Late Medieval and Renaissance history, Italy 1250-1559, Florence: political, socioeconomic, constitutional, cultural history and Intellectual history of Western Europe, 1300-1600. In Najemy’s “A History of Florence 1200-1575 “, he looks to illustrate and expand upon the state of Florence, the driving factors behind her destruction and prosperity, and the lasting marks she cemented.
In the midst of the dark ages, war and poverty in Europe, mainly Italy, came a bright light in Lorenzo de’ Medici. A natural statesman, genuine poet and philosopher and man of the people, Lorenzo ushered in an era in Italy noted by the French historian Voltaire as one of Europe’s “Four great cultural epochs.” Becoming the unofficial father of the renaissance, Lorenzo commissioned artists to paints portraits and architect
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Najemy includes this part as a central point for his discussion of Florentine history between 1200 and1575 because Florence becomes a renaissance sanctum during the reign of Lorenzo. However, Najemy focuses on Lorenzo’s political career and patronage to Illustrates his ascension to power, not exclusively arts. For example, Najemy gives an anecdote of Lorenzo’s Volterra Massacre where the town of Volterra was under Florentine Influence, giving taxation rights and military control of the region. Over a leasing dispute about the mining and selling of metal alum Volterra and Lorenzo were at war. So Lorenzo acquired the help of allies like the Duke of Urbino, plundering the town, giving way to a massacre. This is prominent because even though there was outrage worldwide, Florence lauds Lorenzo for “his” victory, increasing his
In the book, Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Bucker, he discusses the scandalous actions of a Florentine woman taking a wealthy high status man to court over the legality of their marriage. Published in 1988, the book explains the legal action taken for and against Lusanna and Giovanni, the social affects placed on both persons throughout their trial, and the roles of both men and women during the time. From the long and complicated trial, it can be inferred that women’s places within Florentine society were limited compared to their male counterparts and that women’s affairs should remain in the home. In this paper, I will examine the legal and societal place of women in Florentine society during the Renaissance. Here, I will argue that women were the “merchandise” of humanity and their main objective was to produce sons.
“I’ll be out of here and away from all you knaves for one time anyway, as not a month will pass before you’ll see whether I’m nobody or a somebody.” The story of Bianco Alfani reflected the nature of 14th century Florentine society where, as Alfani remarked, the election to public office could make or destroy a person. In late 14th century and early 15th century Florence, decreased population and expanding commerce provided a favorable environment for ambitious individuals. The real life examples of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati demonstrated the positive role of ambition in Florence. Pitti, a nobleman had an extremely successful career, partaking in military campaigns, holding public office in Florence and being an ambassador to foreign courts. Gregorio Dati, the grandson of purse venders, engaged in commerce, rising in social standing which culminated with his election to public office. Holding office was a definitive sign of success and recognition in Florence. In contrast was the tale Bianco Alfani, a deemed man unworthy of office. As told by Piero Veneziano, Alfani was the chief jailor in Florence who was duped into believing he had been named captain of the town of Norcia. Alfani publicly made a fool of himself, spending all his money and creating a great fanfare over his supposed appointment. Comparing the lives of Pitti and Dati to the story of Bianco Alfani illustrates how economic and social change in 14th century Florence produced a culture centered on reputation and commerce. For men like Pitti and Dati, who flourished within the constraints of Florentine society, their reward was election to office, a public mark of acceptance and social standing. Those who were ambitious but failed to abide by the values o...
The Medici’s were a prominent family in the Renaissance, who ruled Florence from 1434 to 1737. They are regarded as being one of the most powerful and richest families in the whole of Europe. The Medics used this great status and wealth to develop an improved Florence, one that was significantly influenced by the Renaissance. The Medici family can most certainly be regarded as the significant heroes of the Renaissance. This is due to their significant promotion and patronage in the arts, in turn bringing focus back to the antiquities, a major importance during the Renaissance period. Furthermore, the Medicis can be considered the great heroes of the Renaissance, due to their significant influence of Renaissance Humanist thinking. On top of this, although the Medici family were allegedly corrupt and supposedly paid many bribes in order to become so powerful, they still focused on benefiting the heart of the Renaissance- the city-state of Florence- and should thus not be considered the great villains of the Renaissance, but instead the heroes.
The early Renaissance, which had begun in Quattrocento Italy, was sparked by the beginnings of the Humanist movement. Considered a return to classical ideals, harkening to an early time when art, philosophy and architecture focused more on men’s achievements rather than entirely concern with his salvation, which dominated the Middle Ages. Although piety was still a predominant part of everyday life, the nostalgia, which became inspiration during this period, initiated a rediscovery of the ideals from the classical Roman and Greek eras. Whose art and architecture could be seen throughout Italy and Sicily. Thus, higher education became the predominant theme among influential families. From this an immergence of forgotten manuscripts and treatise
It is abundantly clear how Leonardo Bruni feels about the city of Florence. In Panegyric to the City of Florence, he expresses nothing but the highest praise for the city. Every aspect of Florence is backed by a clear reason why it is the best, and there is no other city in the world that can compare. According to Bruni, Florence has extraordinary beauty, architecture, geography, history, government, and people. This, of course, is only one person’s opinion. In the diaries of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati, they too give their opinions on the city of Florence. In general, they do not seem to give Florence the same recognition and praise that Bruni gives.
Lorenzo De Medici can be considered as one of the most influential men of the 13th century. His work in political affairs and administration were renowned in all Italy and his family could count on him in every aspect. Lorenzo was also a promoter of a new period called Renaissance. He was one of the first “mecenate” to explore this new way of art. In this project, I will concentrate how he developed art in Florence, giving a clear example through an Artist of that period that was working for him: Sandro Botticelli. His work “The Spring” is a well-defined example of what we can call “art in the Renaissance”, in particular for the Italian Renaissance.
Lemaitre, Alain J., and Erich Lessing. Florence and the renaissance: the quattrocento. paris: Terrail, 1993.
Brucker, Gene A. & Co. Renaissance Florence. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1969. Mandelbaum, Allen. A.
Dino Compagni, “Dino Compagni's Chronicle of Florence.” Translated by Daniel E. Bornstein University of Pennsylvania Press,1986
In this paper I'm focusing mainly on Renaissance art work, since that was the assignment, but I feel it's important to also mention the other important parts of the Renaissance, architecture, science, politics and religion.
...ced by permission of." Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library. Ed. Julie L. Carnagie, Peggy Saari, and Aaron Saari. Vol. 1: Vol.1: Almanac. Detroit: UXL, 2002. World History in Context. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Unger, Miles. Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de' Medici. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.
The renaissance and the reformation were two of the most significant changes in history that has shaped our world today. Both of these great time periods are strikingly similar in some ways and totally different in others. This is because the renaissance was a change from religion to humanism whether it is in art or literature; it is where the individual began to matter. However, the reformation was,” in a nutshell,” a way to reform the church and even more so to form the way our society is today. The first half of this paper will view the drop in faith, the economic powers, and the artistic and literary changes during the renaissance, while the second half will view the progresses and changes the church makes during the reformation.
Throughout the 15th and 16th century Florence was ruled almost completely by a powerful family known as the Medici that was the first family to gain control not through war, marriage or inheritance but commerce. Beginning with Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici (1360-1429) in the 1300’s we see the first growth of the families wealth, Giovanni invests large amounts of his money made through the foundation of the Medici bank into political interests that begins the Medici’s rise to power. From this time on there is a succession of leaders from the family the most notable being Cosimo (1389-1464) who with the help of his father Giovanni began their ever growing political strength while maintaining their status as private citizens. Cosimo is succeeded by his son Piero the gouty (1416-1469) and him by Lorenzo the magnificent (1449-1492). Unlike
Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, so enthralled “In dignity, and for the liberal arts” (1.2 73), twelve years prior lost his dukedom to his brother Antonio. Antonio, in turn, betrayed Prospero’s trust by forming an alliance with the enemy, the King of Naples Alonso. This treaty gave Alonso “annual tribute, [to] do him homage, Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend The dukedom, yet unbowed—alas, poor Milan—To most ignoble stooping” (1.2 113-116). Ultimately, Milan gave up its freedom and became subject to Naples. Prospero, whose “library/ Was dukedom large enough” (1.2 109-110), lost his position as the Duke of Milan and he and his three year old daughter Miranda were sent “abroad a barque bore…to sea” (1.2 144-145). Eventual...