Florence's Market in the Renaissance

One thing that helped Italy was their geography. Italy’s prime location gave forth to lots of trade. In the time of the Renaissance trade was huge and Italy was a great trading post. Their city states that they made great trading places too and they had civic pride between each other just like the Renaissance. Different groups of people tried to take control of the city states just like in the time of the Renaissance where families tried to take the power of the cities like Florence.

With Humanism stirring a desire for learning and the need to express individualism, outlets for creativity were quickly being sought out. Italian cities were already filled with the classical art left over from the dead Roman Empire. Artists surrounded by this fine architecture and art could very easily find inspiration and begin working to resurrect the artistic styles around them. Elegance and grace in art and ideas flourished as a result, and the Renaissance took hold of the Italians. The success of the new invigoration of the country’s spirit contributed to a wealthy economy, particularly in cities such as Florence, which became a center for banking.

The Impact of the System of Patronage Upon Works of Art During the Renaissance, the system of patronage came into being, mainly as a reflection of the increasing capitalist emphasis being placed on life in Renaissance Italy, most notably in Florence. In its very nature as a commercial, capitalist place, Renaissance Italy was a hugely competitive place. It was therefore not surprising that works of art were very often commissioned for competitive reasons. During the Renaissance, art was not just as we think of it today, as an expressive, interesting creation. Art was a focal point of society, and a very powerful tool that powerful people used to gain an advantage.

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. During the first economic Golden Age the Fugger and Medici families proved to have major monetary and political influence. Though both did have some negative impacts on the ecclesiastical life, they also had some positive impacts.

The influence of a few people or ideas can affect a culture for a lifetime. The de Medici family was a powerful family that captured the ideals and principles of the Florence Renaissance and were able to use them to increase their influence during the time. Their influence in this time created many positive effects, some of which are still felt today. The family used their influence during this time to impact Florence and other European countries through their patronage of the arts, and political influence. Although most actions of the family did result in a better situation financially, socially and politically for themselves, most of their influence resulted in positive outcomes for not only Florence, but also other European countries.

Of all the countless factors that attributed to the unparallel success of the industrial revolution in England, there were a select few that really played roles front and center of everything. Debatably, the single largest factor of the growth for the industrial sects of England was the close proximity of the factories, markets, ports and cities to one another. Moving raw materials and finished products became very cheap to do England. Aided by the invention of the steam-powered locomotive things could be shipped very quickly and cheaply increasing the profits. With a growth of profit margins it put much more capital into the hands of business owners to expand their companies and grow the industry even more.

The Italian cities of Venice and Genoa had grown rich on trade, largely with Byzantium and the Orient. Florence had become rich as a result of trade in wool, silk and jewelry and was home to the vast wealth of the rich, powerful, sophisticated Medici family. The expansion of shipping (the so called “Age of Discovery” led to other influences and stimulus of new ideas and a desire to explore the world. The weakened influence of the Church also allowed the Renaissance to flourish. It’s weakened state allowed t... ... middle of paper ... ...ans of preparation for eternity, whereas Beauty afforded a glimpse of a transcendental existence.

Specializing in trade with the Byzantine Empire and the eastern world, Venice established a stable and prosperous economy. This naturally created and attracted a wealthy population. With this wealth people could afford many luxuries like art creating a thriving artists population. The style of Venetian art spanning two centuries during the renaissance was directly affected by the trade industry. In the 14th and 15th centuries the population of Venice was broken down into three castes: nobili, cittadini and popolani.

Great Britain could only trade with America as all of the other countries were tied up in the war. This helped the boom significantly. More factors that contributed to the boom were confidence, mass technologies, advertising, chain stores and big mail order companies. All these helped contribute to the boom as there were lots more products available and they were cheaper, this then made then affordable for everyone. People had more confidence in new products as they were so rich and willing to take a risk.

The periods between 14th and 17th century were marked by a return to classical ideas and culture, known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance or some may say “Rinascita” meaning rebirth, represented a break away from conformist society and culture of the previous medieval Europe to the revival of lost knowledge. This cultural movement, where changes occurred in almost every aspect of intellectualism, we know evoked in the in the heart of Florence, Italy. The unique characteristics of this city enabled an atmosphere of learning and artistic expression. An independent city like Florence was quickly capable to grow prosperous through trade and banking creating a class of wealthy businessmen who became patrons to individual artists providing them with fund and other necessities.