Abstract This paper discusses the Medici family in Renaissance Italy. It expands on the family's advancement of cultural life of Florence. The paper researches its political and economic power. Also mentioned in the paper is the family's patronage of the arts and its influence on the development of Italy.
From the Paper "The rule of the Medici family in Florence had an enormous influence on the city-state and on the Renaissance in Italy and Europe. The Medici family advanced the cultural and civic life of Florence making it the cultural center of all Europe. Politically the ..."
Tags:Medici, Italy, Florence, Lorenzo, Renaissance, Popes, Cosimo, Political
Abstract This paper discusses how in the early 15th century, the city of Florence took cultural command of Italy and inaugurated the Renaissance, a period highlighted by great achievements in the arts and architecture. It looks at how the Medici, bankers to all of Europe, became such lavish patrons of the arts that to this day the name of Medici connotes any generous patron of the fine arts and thus, the history of Florence cannot be separated from the House of the Medici.
From the Paper "Scarcely any great architect, painter, sculptor, philosopher or humanist scholar was unknown or unaffected by the power and influence of the Medici family. Cosimo de' Medici began the first public library since the ancient world (comparable to that at Alexandria), and it has been estimated that in the course of thirty years that Cosimo de' Medici and other members of his family spent almost $20,000,000 for manuscripts and books, a clear indication of the financial power behind the establishment of humanism in the Renaissance era. However, Cosimo de' Medici, always the careful businessman with a keen eye for what was truly beautiful and worth supporting, was not sentimental about his endowment of art and scholarship, for he once stated that his good works were "not only for the honor of God but (also) for my own remembrance." "
Abstract This paper looks at the life of of Cosimo de' Medici, who was the progenitor of one of the main lines of the Medici family, which ruled over the independent city-state of Florence from 1434 to 1637. In particular, it looks at Cosimo's work as an art patron to much of the culture of Florence at the time and, even more broadly, much of the early Renaissance church.
Outline
Introduction
Cosimo de Medici Taking Advantage of the Moment
A Common Culture
From the Paper "But it must also be remembered that while Cosimo de?Medici was not a democratic leader in the modern sense of the term, it is also important ? as Kent makes clear repeatedly ? that the distinction between public and private was narrower in Cosimo's Florence than it is today. Cosimo's private garden, for example, was transformed into a kind of public academy for painters as were the gardens of other de?Medici family members (Jacobs, 2002). The homes and garden of Cosimo deMedici existed in an almost seamless whole with the public commissions that he made."
Abstract This paper focuses on the rule of the famous Medici family in Italy. The paper highlights the influential characters of the Medici's clan and what benefits they brought to Florence. The paper also emphasizes how the Medici rule came to an end after three hundred years.
From the Paper "During the 13th century, The Medici family was one of the most prosperous and wealthy families of Italy. It was a family with great amounts of fortune, power and passion. It restructured Europe and controlled politics, artists, scientists and even the religious Christian leaders for more than three hundred years. The rise of the Medici family to power thus present the most striking political development of the Florentine Quattrocento, a century with no shortage of dramatic conflicts and personalities. Despite fame, wealth and power, it was the increasing self-indulgence, sexual coquetry and the riches that plagued the Medici family and eventually led to their downfall."
Abstract This paper discusses the Medici family in Italy. It describes the Florentine Quattrocento century and discusses the influence that the Medici's had, particularly in the realm of civic humanism. It describes the focus of their rule and how they were accepted by the people. The paper then describes the changes in power of the Medici family over time.
From the Paper "With such views it is clear why Cosimo gained political power and importance in Florence. If Cosimo's reign was fraught with incidents of largesse, he had enough power and wealth to justify it. He was a prominent man with political connections with powerful people like princes and popes. Cosimo was also the head of Medici bank and during the Quattrocento personal wealth could be easily used to justify power. Such a thing would have not been possible in Trecento. Medici family had gained people's support by lending money and patronage to relatively unknown families with little or no political connection. These families would then become dependent on Medicis and thus supported them. (Kent, 28)"
Abstract This paper discusses two studies of Michelangelo's Magnifici Tomb in the Medici Chapel towards complementary, as opposed to different, conclusions. The studies reviewed are Andrew Morrogh's "The Magnifici Tomb - a Key Project in Michelangelo's Architectural
Career" and Estelle Lingo's "The Evolution of Michelangelo's Magnifici Tomb - Program versus Process in the Iconography of the Medici Chapel".
The paper relates that both studies are authoritative and careful contributions to the study of the Medici Chapel, the tomb in question and the career of Michelangelo. The paper also asserts that their different vantage points on the Magnifici Tomb help along what should be a broad approach to any artifact or installation, investigating origins, features and salient details in relation to context, remembering that there shall forever be different opinions which can be powerful guides towards personal appreciation and further study.
Outline:
Introduction
Andrew Morrogh - The Magnifici Tomb as a Key Project.
Estelle Lingo - Program versus Process and Iconography
Discussion
From the Paper "The errors made by Michelangelo included the level at which the viewer examined them, the focal point of three statues too low, a statue of the Madonna, on the other hand, requiring a higher viewing point. (p.594) As Morrogh concluded, imperfections and all, Michelangelo had been able to exercise considerable license in what he designed so tentatively and in its results, thanks to the nature of his patron. Michelangelo had mixed opinions concerning the tradition of classicism that would have satisfied many sculptors of his day, but his results were not just innovative but 'difficult' as Morrogh comments, still apt to draw mixed reviews from those examining the Magnifici Tomb in the present. From this article, the reader obtains much detail and most readers will enjoy the illustrations of very different drawings to which Morrogh refers, a familiar aspect of the Medici Chapel revealed to have been a much changing or even piecemeal affairs thanks to the patronage of Pope Clement who seems to have recognized Michelangelo's originality and given it free reign. One leaves this article with the impression of having enjoyed a 'solid' few pages of scholarship, the author plainly knowing far more on Italian Renaissance design and architecture of which this article indicates one quite small topic."
Tags: installation, origins, features, details, guide, history
Abstract This paper examines how "Medici Money: Banking, Metaphysics, and Art in Fifteenth-Century Florence" by Tim Parks is an astonishing story that illustrates the rise and fall of the Medici family, the development of international banking, and one hundred years of Florentine history during the Renaissance. It also looks at how in "Medici Money", Parks clearly shows the parallels of fifteenth century banking and the desire for power and money to the financial and political problems of today.
From the Paper "In Medici Money, Parks expertly focuses on the business dealings of the Medici family in the economic and political environment of the time while comparing their period with today. Founded in Florence in 1397, the Medici tale spans more than a century that includes the gain of wealth and power and the collapse of the largest and most prosperous bank at the time. As the rise of the bank begins, the Medici's place little importance on political gain or power, and only wish to further their business. But as time passes and their wealth grows, they soon understand what influence their money has on society. In order to continue being successful and maintain their monetary achievements they must become the most powerful family in Florence through the use of shady business practices and an almost mob-like appearance. "
Abstract The paper relates that the Medici family did not only contribute materially to the development of art during the Renaissance, but was also responsible for the aesthetic selection of the works and artists that are now considered representative for that period. The paper focuses on the contributions of Lorenzo de Medici in particular. The paper clearly shows how the Medici family played a crucial part in the artistic advancements of the Renaissance.
From the Paper "The Italian Renaissance was a period of extreme flourish for all the arts as well as for culture itself. It is often considered to be a period of increased awareness and illumination by comparison with the previous dark age, the Middle Ages. The period was marked by a renewed interest for ancient Roman and Greek models paired with a notable advancement in science and philosophy. The great names of the Italian Renaissance speak by themselves for the cultural rebirth that began in the fourteenth century in Italy. Among them there are painters Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci or Botticelli and writers like Petrarch or Machiavelli. Notably, the great scholars and artists of the Renaissance were accomplished creators in various fields, from literature to philosophy, sculpture or architecture."
Abstract This paper examines how the Renaissance was the cultural explosion in Europe, which was heard around the world whose roots trace back to Florence. It looks at how, for most of this time, Florence was ruled by various members of the Medici family, who encouraged Renaissance virtues throughout society and how, during Italy's Renaissance period of the 15th century, the Medicis provided the main impetus for the flourishing of commerce, humanism, and art in Florence.
From the Paper "The Medici were never officially heads of the state; they gained influence through other means. Florence was a city of banking, and the Medici was its family of credit. The Medici family spread its banks across Italy in an effort to generate profit through by offering credit to Italian citizens. As the Medici became richer and richer, the merchants and other financially secure citizens whom they served took on positions of influence in Italian and Florentine governmental committees. The Medici "did not regularly serve in high office, but exercised power through [these] intermediate councils and committees, the membership of which [they] usually controlled." It was through their control of governmental committees that the Medici directed Florence's growth."
Abstract This paper will discuss Catherine De Medici's role in France and how she influenced the political climate of her country. By showing examples of the prowess that she exuded over rival countries such as Spain, we can examine how she helped to transform politics in her arena of power.
Abstract The history of the Medici family in Italy clearly illustrates the difference between a true patron and a collector of fine art. This paper explains that with the collector, new artistic movements are, at times, very difficult to locate, which inevitably leads to the collector amassing works of art based on certain styles and motifs or even specific painters or sculptors from various artistic periods. The writer points out however that with the patron, such as Cosimo I and Lorenzo the Magnificent in the Renaissance and Cosimo III and Cardinal Leopoldo in the Baroque era, the almost in-born desire to vigorously encourage the development and spread of fine art is without competition, for the patron is truly the purveyor of artistic history, at least in western civilization.
From the Paper "Of course, when the Medici family did finally expire in the mid 18th century, the great artists, such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Brunelleschi and Bernini, had also expired and their successors, although very talented and inspirational, did not possess the genius of these men which may help to explain why patronage itself waned after the Baroque era. In addition, it could be said that without the Medici family and its enormous wealth and prestige the Renaissance and Baroque eras might never have existed. Thus, the Medici, along with other prominent art patrons, allowed for the formation of several outstanding art periods which not only helped to create and foster great talent but also made it possible for the common, everyday man or woman to gaze in awe at their works of wonder and contemplate the very nature of their creators and those that supported them without question or authority."
Abstract This paper is primarily a biographical report of Michelangelo's almost 90-year-long life from his grim childhood to the early influence of the Medici family to his commission to sculpt the "David" and paint the Sistine Chapel. Also included are photos of his sculptures "Bacchus", "Pieta", "David", "Rondanini Pieta" and his paintings on The Sistine Chapel.
I.Introduction
II.Body
A.Michelangelo's Early Life
B.Bacchus and Pieta
C.David
D.The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
E.The Tomb of Julius II
F.The Medici Tombs
G.The Last Judgment
H.Michelangelo's Final Years
III.Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the greatest artists of all time, a man whose name has become synonymous with the word "masterpiece", is Michelangelo Buonarroti. As an artist he was nearly unmatched; the creator of works of true beauty that express the full extent of the human condition. Yet, in a world where art flourished only with patronage, Michelangelo was caught between the conflicting powers and whims of the Medici family in Florence, and the Papacy in Rome. Unlike many artists of his time, his genius was recognized, but at a seemingly great cost to his personal life."
Tags: 14th, artist, bacchus, ceiling, century, chapel, david, judgment, julius, last, medici, renaissance, sculpture, sistine, tomb, tombs, pieta
Abstract In four of Machiavelli's best known works, "Discourses on Livy", "The Art of War", "The History of Florence", and "The Prince", we can see a clear influence from such Machiavellian contemporizes as Cesare Borgia, Francesco Vettori, the Medici Family, and general public opinion, which should be a cause for caution in relaying on Machiavelli's writings as an accurate discussion of history or an ethical discussion of politics. The author discusses how the ideas that Machiavelli placed on paper over five hundred years ago still have meaning in the 21st Century.
From the paper:
"While Machiavelli's works lack the modern day standards of documentations, he was ahead of his time in historical philosophy and approach. He was the first historian to acknowledge that the need to explain events leading up a specific event to understand why that event occurred and to understand the results of that event. As for is external influences, they need to be taken into consideration, so we can accurately understand his writings, the period in which he was writing, and the periods in which he was writing about. He may contradict himself in his political belief, but considering the pressures that he was under he manages to give a pretty good analysis of events and history. Machiavelli's works has managed to sustain its ideas from the 1500's to the 21st Century and will continue to be a source of knowledge and debate for centuries to come."
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine Lorenzo de' Medici and the arts in Florence during the Italian Renaissance. The plan of the research will be to set forth the historical context in which Florence and the Medici family became relevant to the emergence of Italian Renaissance art, and then to discuss the shape and significance of Medici influence on the phenomenon.
In order to appreciate the significance of Lorenzo de Medici for the Renaissance and for the arts of the period, it is first necessary to examine how the concept emerged in Europe, setting the stage for Medici influence. The Renaissance refers to the period, beginning as early as the fourteenth century, when the culture of Western civilization made transition from medievalism to modernism. Kirchner says that it dates from 1350 and "was distinguished by a spirit of confidence in man's achievements and .."
