THESIS STATEMENT As wealthy Florentine bankers, Cosimo and Lorenzo de Medici promulgated the Italian Renaissance through the patronage system.
PURPOSE STATEMENT Through historical analysis, this paper will discuss the effect of Cosimo and Lorenzo de Medici’s sponsorship as great patrons, focusing on their contributions to art, architecture, and literature.
INTRODUCTION
The Italian Renaissance was a time of rebirth for the arts, sciences, politics, and religion. Italy adapted into a flourishing country with new ideas that influenced the people and their way of life. The Italians focus had shifted on to humanism and becoming wealthier. The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy and from there numerous artists emerged, including Brunelleschi
…show more content…
Along with their growing wealth, an expanding influx of political power developed. “Their growing wealth brought growing political power” (Osman 28) Along with their successful banking, the de Medici’s were avid patrons of artists and helped develop the famous artists that are known today including Michelozzo and Ghiberti. Patronage played a key role in the expansion and rebirth of Italy because it allowed the wealthy to sponsor poor artists. With patronage, the arts and culture were able to flourish. “A practical result of the munificence [generous patronage] was that in these fields, what is generally known as ‘Renaissance culture’ began earlier in Florence than elsewhere” (Osman …show more content…
“Just as he led the way in the commercial world, extending Florentine markets, assisting trading houses, bringing commerce and wealth to the city, so also he led the way in that world of literature and art which, to the fifteenth-century Florentine, was of almost equal importance with the world of trade” (Ewart 210). Cosimo worked hard to create a lasting legacy for his future family. Florence under Cosimo’s rule would begin to transition into a place of wealth, architecture, literature, and art and began to step away from politics. Cosimo was the primary patron of the significant Florentine patrons of the arts (Mee 20). Cosimo provided patronage to Filippo Brunelleschi when he commissioned him to construct a dome for the great Cathedral of Florence. The dome was consecrated by the Pope in 1436 and is still standing today. “He [Cosimo] pressed Brunelleschi to redesign the whole of San Lorenzo, and when the church was finished, it was the prime example of the fifteenth- century” (20). Donatello was also supported by Cosimo and under his patronage created the free-standing sculpture of
Najemy, John M. Italy in the Age of the Renaissance. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
A rediscover of their history and recognition of early Greek philosophers changed the way that the influential families and Princes, in Italy, considered themselves. Their way of thinking of the Devine and need to promote one’s own aspirations through sponsorship of the arts, as well as, civic duty became not only fashionable but important to progress in the city states. Although Donatello’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera are master pieces in their own right, their influence on future generations of artists cannot be ignored. The spark that ignited the fire which we call the Renaissance was a transformation of societies thinking and values to a Humanistic approach to one duties to society and the church. These two works are a reflection of the changing attitudes which would eventually change all of
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 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.
So, as has been seen, the system of patronage was extremely important in Renaissance Italy. It brought with it mixed blessings for artists. On the one hand, it gave them the income to support themselves and continue to produce works. On the other hand, though, it could be very constrictive on what the artist could produce, and could even sometimes decide the quality of a work.
Already a well-entrenched institution in the Middle Ages (400-1400 CE), by the Renaissance (1400-1600 CE), the European system of patronage was flourishing. Having originated in ancient Rome, patronage was a hierarchical and reciprocal relationship between wealthy, and often aristocratic, patrons and skilled clients. The more benefits a client recieved, the more preeminence was ascribed to the patron. Likewise, the more prominent a patron was, the more important their clients became. During the Renaissance (1400-1600 CE) there was an explosion of new artistic techniques and ways of thinking as artists, authors, and intellectuals attempted to emulate the newly rediscovered works of ancient Greece and Rome.
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.
Artists in the Renaissance aided the continuation of Renaissance ideals. Renaissance art, including paintings, sculptures, and architecture,...
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.
The result of the publication of this book was a rapid increase in commerce between the Italian city states and China. This expansion of enterprise soon spread to the rest of Europe as well. The result for Italy was the creation of wealth and leisure that made possible the Renaissance.
The beauty and cultural richness of Florence is often ignored but I knew I didn’t want to miss out on it while visiting Italy. Florence is chic, elegant and sophisticated even though every corner of the city still drips history. The city has an overwhelming vast wealth of art; not only is it the birthplace of the Renaissance, but some of the world’s most popular artists originate from Florence. DaVinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Danotello, Botticelli and Dante are just a few to name. The legacy of these artists is so strong that you can almost feel their presence as you wonder through the paved narrow alleys of
...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.
He innovated new ways to construct large and deceptively simplistic buildings like his most famous work, the Dome of Florence Cathedral. Brunelleschi’s innovations paved the way for future generations to build upon his previous inventions. Some of his inventions included a new pulley system and a huge crane that made construction easier. This new desire to prove ones worth and to create easier solutions is a natural desire that all humans feel. Embracing humanism led to innovation, fame and the desire to become seen as an individual rather than part of a group. “Brunelleschi’s concept of architectural beauty lay in simpler ratios and shapes, such as the circle and square” (p.484). Brunelleschi’s is fond of using simple proportions in order to draw attention to the areas he wants you to notice in the construction of his buildings. These simple ratios and the soft color scheme of gray and off-white makes it easier for onlookers to see and gain a sense of understanding of how these buildings were formed. These proportions do not make the people feel less than or significantly small in comparison to these large churches. Instead Brunelleschi gives us a false sense of understanding of how his buildings are put together, making us feel intelligent and enlightened. These churches were built with human proportions in mind. Brunelleschi’s architecture reflects the humanistic ideals of the Renaissance creating a calm atmosphere. The interior of his churches are “illuminated by natural light”, symbolizing that man will no longer be kept in the dark and that we are capable of understanding
"Famiglia De Medici: The Extraordinary Story Of The Family That Financed The Renaissance." Business Insider. 6 Dec. 2013. .