Overview
This lecture explores the rise and fall of the Medici family in Renaissance Florence, focusing on Lorenzo de’ Medici's leadership, artistic patronage, political intrigue, and the subsequent religious backlash that threatened the city’s cultural legacy.
The Rise of the Medici
- By the mid-15th century, the Medici family became the leading power in Florence, influencing arts and political life.
- Lorenzo de’ Medici (“the Magnificent”) inherited leadership after his father's death, becoming the most powerful man in Florence.
- The Medici secured political alliances through strategic marriages, notably Lorenzo’s marriage to Clarice Orsini.
Medici Patronage and the Renaissance
- The Medici were major patrons, turning Florence into a cultural hub where artists like Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo thrived.
- Medici commissions led to groundbreaking artworks exemplifying humanist and secular ideals, such as Botticelli’s "Primavera" and "The Birth of Venus."
- Lorenzo founded the first art school, supporting young artists like Michelangelo and fostering innovation.
Political Intrigue and Violence
- Rival families, especially the Pazzi, plotted to overthrow the Medici, culminating in the failed assassination attempt during Easter Mass (1478), which killed Giuliano de’ Medici.
- Lorenzo survived the attack and consolidated power, relying on a vast network of alliances (“friends of friends”).
Lorenzo’s Rule and Decline
- Lorenzo worked to develop mutual loyalty networks, but his secular leadership drew criticism for decadence.
- Financial decline followed mismanagement and overextension of favors; branches of the Medici bank failed.
- To secure the family's future, Lorenzo placed his son Giovanni in the Church as a cardinal.
Religious Backlash and Savonarola
- Dominican monk Savonarola rose in opposition, condemning secular art and Renaissance values as sinful.
- After Lorenzo’s death, Savonarola imposed a strict religious regime, banning secular art, luxury, and personal adornment.
- The "Bonfire of the Vanities" saw works of art and luxury items burned; even Botticelli joined in, reflecting the era’s shift.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Patronage — Financial or political support provided to artists, resulting in art that reflects the patron's values.
- Humanism — Renaissance intellectual movement focusing on classical learning and human-centered subjects.
- Bonfire of the Vanities — Mass burning of secular art and luxury objects under Savonarola's rule.
- Secular — Non-religious; relating to worldly affairs.
- Cardinal — Senior official in the Catholic Church, important for Medici political strategy.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review artwork commissioned by the Medici during Lorenzo’s rule.
- Study key figures: Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Savonarola.
- Read about the political structure and families of Renaissance Florence.