The Medici

Humble Beginnings The Medici family were a merchant banking family from the back streets of Florence, Italy. They would rise from very humble beginnings to become one of the most famous families in Western history as they shaped the economics, politics and art of the Renaissance

The Times As we have discussed the Church was the identity of the community in Renaissance Europe They held almost total control of all aspects of social and political ideals of society But even the Church needed bankers and this is where the Medici would come into play

Cosimo Medici June 15, April 21, 1574 Searched for answers among the artifacts in the church catacombs He would find many secrets from the Ancient world that had been kept hidden by the Catholic Church

Cosimo continued… Among the ancient artifacts were: writings by Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, written histories from Rome and even the recipes for building materials such as concrete Cosimo would use these findings to build his wealth and ultimate influence that would last for the remainder of the Renaissance and ensure his family’s fortunes for years to come

Filippo Brunelleschi One of his first major endeavors was to finish the building of the church in Florence, which had sat dormant for years To do so he would hire a madman to help him through This madman was Filippo Brunelleschi He would spark an architectural revolution across Europe

Il Duomo

The completion of Il Duomo represents the greatest architectural feat in the Western world It was estimated to weigh 37,000 tons and was comprised of 4 million bricks

Rival Families Political power and influence in Florence was in the hands of a few families that vide for control of the city The Albizi Family rivaled that of Medici and hatched a plot to rid themselves of their enemies Cosimo was accused of heresy and the Medici were banished from Florence Economics

The Medici Bank Power was restored by Cosimo in Florence Expands the Medici Bank internationally Collects from every parish in Europe Becomes the most powerful business in Europe

The Arts Cosimo was also very interested in the arts Patronage Donotello’s “David” becomes very controversial Homosexual overtones 14,000 people are prosecuted in Florence in 1434 for sodomy and homosexual activities

Donotello’s “David”

Patra Patriae When Cosimo dies in 1464 he is given the name Patra Patriae by the people of Florence Father of the Fatherland Cosimo’s two sons Lorenzo and Juliano would be heir to the Medici fortunes

Two Houses Unite Lorenzo marries in 1469 to a noble daughter of Roman aristocracy and military might This now solidifies the bloodline of the Medici family and their influence now extends along the Italian peninsula Lorenzo would rule Florence almost like a mini-dictatorship It was government by personal loyalty The Pazzi Coup (April 26 th, 1478)

The Art of the Renaissance Flourishes under Lorenzo Botticelli: the most radical of Renaissance artists. La Primavera Da Vinci Michelangelo Lorenzo the Magnificent, spends money virtuously through patronage Establishes first art school in 1488

Works of Da Vinci

The Last Supper

Michelangelo Buonarroti Michelangelo is 13 when he first meets Lorenzo He is brought into their home and raised like one of the his own sons Joins the art school and becomes one of the greats A tireless workaholic, that never slept Creates David, a centre piece for Florence Has a falling out with the Medici and moves to Rome where he is commissioned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel This is considered by most to be the greatest work of art during the Renaissance

The Sistine Chapel

Creation of Adam

Michelangelo’s David

Savanarola A monk turned fiery preacher believes Lorenzo was leading Florence on a path towards destruction Florence splits into two distinct groups intellectual/secular group and the more traditional religious groups Savanarola’s word spreads and his congregation grows in popularity What begins is a fundamental regime created to re-establish the Kingdom of God on Earth Lorenzo dies in 1492 and Savanarola eventually takes power after the Medici are exiled in 1494

The Bonfire of the Vanities People encouraged to burn all items that are associated with sin Including pagan books, sculptures, cosmetics, fine clothing, works of art and even trade His reign in Florence only lasts a few years due to the economic decline

Heretic!!! Savanarola is eventually executed in May of 1498 for heresy He was actually executed on the very spot where he conducted the Bonfire of the Vanities a year earlier He was burned at the stake but not before spending days on the rack

The Medici Popes The Medici would eventually return to Florence after years of exile by raising a papal army and taking the city by force Giovanni de Medici, (the second son of Lorenzo) would eventually become Pope Leo X His cousin, would later succeed him as Pope Clement VII (1523–34).

He is known primarily for the sale of indulgences to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 Theses. The Medici family would continue to have influence if not rule over Florence until the 18 th century when the line eventually bred itself out with the lack of a male heir.

Legacy 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 and the greatest artists of the Renaissance worked under their commissions including Donatello, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, and later Rafael

They even influenced science and were well known to have been the patrons of the famous Galileo Galilei, who tutored multiple generations of Medici children.