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The Medici

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

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The Medici

Humble BeginningsHumble 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 TimesThe 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 MediciCosimo Medici June 15, 1519 - 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…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 BrunelleschiFilippo 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 DuomoIl 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 FamiliesRival 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 BankThe 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 ArtsThe 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” Donotello’s “David”

Patra PatriaePatra 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 UniteTwo 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 26th, 1478)

The Art of the The Art of the RenaissanceRenaissance

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 VinciWorks of Da Vinci

The Last SupperThe Last Supper

Michelangelo Michelangelo Buonarroti 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 ChapelThe Sistine Chapel

The Sistine ChapelThe Sistine Chapel

The Sistine ChapelThe Sistine Chapel

Creation of AdamCreation of Adam

Michelangelo’s DavidMichelangelo’s David

SavanarolaSavanarola 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 The Bonfire of the VanitiesVanities

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!!!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 PopesThe 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 18th century when the line eventually bred itself out with the lack of a male heir.

LegacyLegacy 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.