A post Middle Age Italy was afflicted by medieval wars and the bubonic plague. A change was needed to restore the vision of what Italy could become. This change was found within one family: the Medici’s, who helped to return the glory and influence to Florence. The Medici’s saw the value in contributing to the advancement of the greatest minds of the period. This was evident in their patronage of leading Artists such as Michelangelo and of renowned Teachers such as Galileo. The sphere of influence the Medici’s enjoyed also extended to the political arena, which happened to be heavily influenced by the Catholic Church at the time. The Medici’s were able to capitalize on the power of the Church and through this influence and the use of “amici degli amici” or of mutual favors from “friends of friends” the Medici family was able to usher in a new Italian era: the Renaissance (Medici).
While not the only wealthy and ambitious family in Florence, the Medici’s were driven in their pursuits and did not achieve their success in the noblest of ways. Giovanni di Bicci de’Medici, the Patriarch of the Medici Dynasty, founded and controlled one of the most influential businesses in Italy, the Medici Bank. Giovanni’s development of the limited liability concept and the establishment of a franchise system, wherein the Medici Bank expanded into branches of banks where managers became part owners, helped to make the Medici Bank a leader amongst the competitors of the time. However, a key factor in the success of Giovanni’s business was the result of a gambling bet on the return of papacy to Rome, which he won. In return for his financial assistance, the Pope installed him as the papal banker. With the Medici’s holding of the Pope’s personal bank...
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...survived the test of time, its influence on the effects of the Renaissance have survived. This is apparent in the evolution and periods of Art, Literature, Music, and Intellectual works that has been developed and has thrived across the backdrop of history. An example of how important the Medici influence was on the Renaissance can be seen at the Laurentian Library in Florence which was designed by Michelangelo. The collection of Medici family books has been called one of the most important and prestigious collections of antique books in Italy. Additionally, many of the commissioned works such the Sistine Chapel, the sculpture of David, and the Last Judgment are enjoyed by millions of tourists each year. It took a family such as the Medici’s to bring about the Renaissance and it is because of the Renaissance that the influence of the Medici family lives on.
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.
Cosimo de’ Medici was an Italian man who was around during the Renaissance. He was one of the sons of Giovanni di Bicci. He was born on September 27, 1389 in Florence, Italy. He was a member of the house of Medici, who gained wealth and power in the 13th century through their success in commerce and banking. In the 15th Century the Medici bank was the most important financial institution in Europe. Cosimo’s work with the bank was influenced the renaissance: He made the bank “peak,” got arrested and impacted the renaissance.
Around the turn of the 16th century, the state of Florence was in turmoil; the Medici leadership was deposed and the government was ...
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
The research conducted in the paper “Robust Action and the Rise of the Medici, 1400-1434” by John F. Padgett and Christopher K. Ansell states that during the Renaissance, the Medici family had a positive impact on the citizens of Florence.
Medici Money (2005), a new history of the Medici family; and a new collection of short
The world’s greatest impact on the renaissance was a single man named Lorenzo de’ Medici.It was mainly because of him that the renaisance ended up being the way it turned out to be. Lorenzo allowed up and coming artists to become big and successful because of him, this was all because he was able to fund them and allow them to get paid even if they weren’t that big encouraging others to do the same. Lorenzo didn’t make his fortune by himself, in fact his fortune came from inheritance from his extremely well known family tree. Which all had their own effect on the outcome of the renaissance. Lorenzo was the one who made the biggest stride to make changes during the renaissance.
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
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.
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.
“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 family supported a pirate who wanted to enter the Vatican and become a Pope. Then from priest to cardinal to Pope, he remembered the Medici family and trusted their bank. Then the Medici family joined a powerful group of Florentines.
Through historical and economic data this research paper will express how Florence flourished from a mercantile economy in the Renaissance.
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.
"Famiglia De Medici: The Extraordinary Story Of The Family That Financed The Renaissance." Business Insider. 6 Dec. 2013. .