As a family of bankers, the Medici family helped establish a currency system

that could be used to buy art and products from Italy and around the world.
The biggest accomplishments of the Medici were in the sponsorship of art and
architecture, mainly early and High Renaissance art and architecture. The
Medici were responsible for the majority of Florentine art during their reign.
Their money was significant because during this period, artists generally only
made their works when they received commissions in advance. Giovanni di
Bicci de' Medici, the first patron of the arts in the family, aided Masaccio and
commissioned Brunelleschi for the reconstruction of the Basilica of San
Lorenzo, Florence in 1419.
Cosimo the Elder's notable artistic associates were Donatello and Fra Angelico.
The most significant addition to the list over the years was Michelangelo
Buonarroti (14751564), who produced work for a number of Medici, beginning
with Lorenzo the Magnificent, who was said to be extremely fond of the young
Michelangelo, inviting him to study the family collection of antique sculpture.
Lorenzo also served as patron to Leonardo da Vinci (14521519) for seven
years. Indeed, Lorenzo was an artist in his own right, and author of poetry and
song; his support of the arts and letters is seen as a high point in Medici
patronage.

 In addition to commissions for art and

architecture, the Medici were prolific
collectors and today their acquisitions form
the core of the Uffizi museum in Florence. In
architecture, the Medici are responsible for
some notable features of Florence; including
the Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Gardens, the
Belvedere, the Medici Chapel and the
Palazzo Medici.

 Although none of the Medici themselves were

scientists, the family is well known to have
been the patrons of the famous Galileo Galilei,
who tutored multiple generations of Medici
children, and was an important figurehead for
his patron's quest for power. Galileo's
patronage was eventually abandoned by
Ferdinando II, when the Inquisition accused
Galileo of heresy.

 A city-state is a independent state that consists of a city and

its dependent territories. Historically, this included famous
cities like Rome, Athens, Carthage, and the Italian city-states
during the Renaissance (Florence)but today only a handful
of independent city-states exist, with some disagreement as to
which are city-states.
Since Italy was not a united country, instead existing as many
city-states, Florence, Venice, and others competed with one
another to see who could create the best art or scholarship
once they became wealthy.

 Florence, rather than Rome, was the cradle of the Italian Renaissance.
This rebirth of classical knowledge soon gave way to new creativity in art
and literature, and Florentines led the procession. Dantes magnificent
poetry made the Tuscan dialect the official language of Italy. Florence
was one of the greatest cities in Renaissance Italy. Its beautiful
churches, galleries, palaces, and museums stand as noble monuments
to its exciting history and to its past achievements in art. These buildings
are filled with some of the richest historical and art treasures in the
world. Florence, however, is not a city that lives only in the past. It
remains an important commercial and cultural center today.

Beginnings of Medici Power

Giovanni di Bicci deMedici
First of the famous ruling Medicis
and considered founder of Medici
family fortune
Giovanni is considered to be the
first prominent patron of the arts
Giovanni was a leader not
concerned with politics, but rather
the family fortune and the arts
Giovanni died in 1429 and his son
Cosimo became head of the Medici
family

Rise of Cosimo deMedici

Became head of powerful family bank, and amassed a fortune
because he became banker to the pope, and his bank also spread
to all the important financial markets throughout Europe.
Cosimo was very interested in a rebirth of classical ideas and
even went so far as to recreate Platos ancient academy in
Carregi.
Cosimo was also a very religious man and much of his patronage
of the arts was rooted in his religious fervor.
Cosimo spent a considerable portion of his wealth on the arts
Amassed the largest library in Europe
Supported artists such as Ghiberti, Brunellechi, Donatello,
Alberti, Fra Angelico, and Ucello
Florence became cultural center of Europe

Artists Commissioned by Cosimo

The Rout of San Romano, Ucello

Santa Maria Novella, Leon Baptista Alberti

Lorenzo deMedici
Grandson of Cosimo
Lorenzo, know also as Lorenzo the Magnificent, was is
said to be the most brilliant of the Medici
Lorenzo was also respected as a very talented Latin poet,
and like his family members was very interested in texts
of antiquity
Lorenzo is considered to be the greatest patron of the arts
Commissioned such artists and musicians as
Michelangelo,Botticelli and Verrocchio
Reasons for this patronage included genuine interest,
continuing family tradition, and political motives
Lorenzo even discovered the talented Michelangelo
when the artist was only 15 years old

Lorenzo de Medici, Andrea

del Verrocchio

Political Ties to Art

Lorenzo commissioned several French musicians for papal music
Although did have genuine interest in music, reason for gaining the
services of French musicians mainly a political move to enhance
relations with France
His influence encouraging experimentation in music led to the
development of the early madrigal

Catherine de Medici (151989), spelled

Mdicis in French, was the greatgranddaughter of Lorenzo. She became the
wife of one French king (Henry II) and the
mother of three othersFrancis II, Charles
IX, and Henry III. She was ambitious to keep
undiminished for her sons the power of the
French monarchy. France was torn by
religious wars. Catherine intrigued with the
Catholic party and with the Huguenots and
was chiefly responsible for the Massacre of
St. Bartholomews Day on Aug. 2324, 1572