Lorenzo de’ Medici, a renowned statesman and patron of the arts, wasn’t acknowledged as “The Magnificent” for nothing. After his father, Piero di Cosimo de ' Medici, died in 1469, Lorenzo took the reigns as head of the Medici household and business, and thusly led Florence to its prime as one of the most powerful city-states in all of Italy. Lorenzo had the abilities capable of pulling off such a feat. In fact, it is said that, “Lorenzo was playing a part. Not a real Prince, he must act the prince. There were so many adults to impress.”(pg 184 of medici money) Through the use of tact and an unquenchable wit, Lorenzo would become an influential instigator of prosperity in Florence, thusly making it “magnificent” in its own right. Throughout …show more content…
He had a love for books, and had wanted to one day amass a collection of all his family’s texts and build a library for them. Unfortunately, that dream was never realized in his lifetime. (92 of early medici) In the realm of rhetoric and vernacular, Lorenzo preferred Italian to Latin, which was one of his humanist traits. (pg. 101-102 of early medici) Lorenzo’s love of poetry also heavily correlates to his strong connection to nature, and his family’s villas around Florence embodied the beauty of it. In some cases, Lorenzo was able to coerce different individuals and institutions to sell him land that he needed for his various building projects, and he sometimes never paid them back, which ultimately elicited a surge of reproach from some people. Nevertheless, he obtained what he wanted. (pg. 83 of Lorenzo and the Art of …show more content…
After the Pazzi Conspiracy, the Florentine government praised Lorenzo, and described him as “Judas in the seat of Peter.” (pg 224 of Medici Money) Pope Sixtus IV, noticing the tribute to Biblical description, became enraged, and thusly accused Lorenzo as a heretic and an enemy of the Church. (pg. 224 of Medici Money) Lorenzo made an audacious move to go to Naples on his own, and then speak to King Ferdinand I, begging him not to attack Florence with the assistance of the Pope. Miraculously Ferdinand agreed to withdraw the attack. Later, When Pope Innocent VIII was threatening to expand his territory by conquering Naples, Lorenzo was able to talk him out the entire plot. (pg. 225 in medici money) The range of influence that Lorenzo had, including his ability to affluently speak, shows just how much of business man he really
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...
Under the Medici rule, especially the leadership of Lorenzo de’Medici, art thrived and new revolutionary ideas emerged, furthering the Renaissance in Florence while challenging the stronghold of the church. Florence became an edifice for art and the greatest painters of the time flocked to the city including Fra Filippo Lippi, Verrocchio, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo (Greenblatt 13)...
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.
“Machiavelli wanted to return to his longtime dream and understanding of politics. One of his goals in writing The Prince was to win the favor of Lorenzo de’ Medici, then-governor of Florence and the person
U Mcllvenna, Scandal and Reputation at the Court of Catherine de Medici, University of Sydney
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.
The portrait of Giuliano de Medici by Raphael, a tempera and oil on canvas, can be dated back to around 1515 (Fig. 2).25 The portrait includes a background depiction of Florence, which is revealed behind a green curtain. As part of a marriage arrangement with Philiberte of Savoy, it is not surprising that Florence would be depicted as an asset of Giuliano's. However, the picture was painted shortly after the carnival of 1513, and it highlights the sort of relationship that the Medici family wanted to re-establish with the city and its people, using public rituals to achieve this. Giuliano's gaze is directed to the part of the curtain revealing the city, thus asserting his status as legitimate ruler, watching over the people of Florence. This painting and the carnival of 1513 convey similar messages. When Girolamo Macchietti executed a portrait of Lorenzo the Magnificent, he used a similar device (Fig. 3). Lorenzo stands tall with Florence in the background, and he looks forward benevolently. What the Medici attempted to achieve with public rituals, they successfully managed to reflect in their portraiture. With their backs turned to the city, they would have appeared to contemporaries as larger-than-life leaders protecting Florence's interests and history. The link between the two portraits is interesting because the carnival of 1513 was a clear attempt at
...y brought in many Greek sources. The Medici's also started the Platonic Academy which supported Renaissance artists by feeding, educating, and providing them with necessities to live. Some of these were well known artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. Because of the Medici family Florence became known as the cultural center of Europe and cradle of New Humanism. For a century they maintained total authority in Florence behind the popular forms of a republic.
Christie's London announced on May 21, 2007 that Lorenzo de' Medici (1518), a portrait of sound provenance by renowned Italian Renaissance master Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael (1483-1520), will be available for purchase as part of its Important Old Master and British Pictures auction on Thursday, July 5, 2007. On display at the esteemed auction house's King Street salerooms, beginning June 30, will be Raphael's painting, one of a handful by the artist still privately held. Owned by Ira Spanierman since 1968, issues of the work's attribution to Raphael were tackled by Sir Charles Robinson (1824-1913) and firmly resolved in 1971 by the prolific Konrad Oberhuber, former director of Vienna's Albertina Museum. The masterpiece is expected to garner up to £15 million at auction. Lorenzo de' Medici was last exhibited publicly more than 40 years ago.
“The Prince”, by Niccolo Machiavelli, is a series of letters written to the current ruler of Italy, Lorenzo de’ Medici. These letters are a “how-to” guide on what to do and what not to do. He uses examples to further express his views on the subject. The main purpose was to inform the reader how to effectively rule and be an acceptable Prince. Any ruler who wishes to keep absolute control of his principality must use not only wisdom and skill, but cunning and cruelness through fear rather than love. Machiavelli writes this book as his summary of all the deeds of great men.
The Medici family is officially in power. It is 1434 and the House of Medici has been looked up to since the 13th century, but now the Medici family is influencing major change. Due to the family’s support in arts and humanities the Renaissance has taken place. During the renaissance civilians primary focus was the idea that everyone should be educated and participate in arts and science. This change in the way people thought was influenced by the Medici family. The Medici family flourished financially in the 1400’s and continued to gain power politically in the 14th century. Several members of the Medici family created success for the
Florence, Italy was a city just like any other during the Renaissance. It was city of 50,000 people, less than there were in Paris and Venice but more than most other European cities. The busiest parts of the city were the Ponte Vecchio, a place lined with markets and houses, the neighborhood of the Orsanmichele and Mercato Vecchio, or the Old Market. Florence was a place of beauty and leisure. A Venetian visitor once said, “There is in my opinion no region more sweeter than that wherein Florence is a placed for Florence is situated in a plain surrounded on all sides by hills and mountains…And the hills are fertile cultivated, pleasant…” (Unger, pg. 1). Florence was a very prosperous city; it made fortunes off of wool and banking trades. A certain Florentine family contributed to the vast wealth as well. The Medici family was no doubt the foundation of prosperity for Florence.
There are many great women who have influenced contemporary philosophy as we know it today, the most influential of these women being Saint Catherine of Siena. Catherine lived during the Medieval period of philosophy around the 14th century. She was a Catholic mystic who devoted her life to Christ, and during her service to the Catholic Church, her most famous work The Dialogue was created while in state of meditation. It is not surprising that St. Catherine of Siena has had a large impact on the current era of philosophy, along side many well known ancient philosophers such as: Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Plotinus, and Xenophanes. Frank Magil, author of Masterpieces of Christian literature in summary form, stresses her importance by saying,
"Famiglia De Medici: The Extraordinary Story Of The Family That Financed The Renaissance." Business Insider. 6 Dec. 2013. .