Florence: the epicenter of renaissance that transformed the modern world and the home to some of the most talented and influential minds and artist of the past that we have come to know so famously today.
Walking around the cobblestone streets of Florence, you will be taken back in time surrounded by the rich history, culture, and art. Today, 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy, and approximately half of these are located in Florence. We have one family, in particular, to thank for the well-preserved wonders of the renaissance, The Medici.
What is proclaimed to be Europe's richest cultural period, the Renaissance began in Florence when the Duomo was finished by Brunelleschi. The Renaissance is signified by the rebirth of two very important things: the renewal of ancient Greek and Roman cultures that had been lost for centuries and the idea that people can enjoy the mortal world and their time on earth, instead of merely waiting for the divineness the afterlife was promised to offer.
Portrayed by the emergence of a new way of thinking and looking at life, the Renaissance had significant focus on humanities, culture, and the arts. The most treasured artwork we have today comes from the Renaissance age.
The Medici played a large role in making Florence what we know as a capital of the arts. The Medici is Florence’s most famous family. Like other wealthy families of the time, they made their fortune banking, but the Medici were the controllers of Europe's largest bank.
The prominent family had great interest in the arts including poetry, sculpture, painting, philosophy, and writing. As the main contributors of the renaissance age, the Medici family invested in art, churches, and cathedrals of what was seen as a “repayment” to society and God. Their patronage had significant impact on the Renaissance.
Sponsoring artists allowed them to freely focus on their work without the worries of money. The Medici used their exorbitant means to commission some of the most famous master pieces of all time. A few of the famous artists that the Medici supported include Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, and Leonardo da Vinci, who have all been recognized as some of the greatest artists to have ever lived.
The sponsoring of these artists also attributed to the world’s most prized artwork to be created. Without the Medici we may have lived in a world without the intricate works of art such as, Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper”.
The statue of David may have never been sculpted if Michelangelo wasn’t invited to live in the home of the Medici family for seven years as a son and study their sculptures. The Medici also commissioned Michelangelo’s renowned painting, “The Last Judgement,” which covers the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.
Some of the greatest artistic treasures on earth are a direct result of the Medici family philanthropy. Their extensive patronage allowed the arts to flourish during the Renaissance.
In addition to commissioning portraits and decorative objects for private and public display, the Medici family ordered the reconstruction of many public buildings. A significant amount the architecture that was constructed in Florence during the Renaissance was due to the generosity of the Medici. They helped pay Brunelleschi, the architect of the Basilica of San Lorenzo. And they even established Europe’s first art academy.
The Medici didn't just support the arts and architecture. They also supported science. They supported famous scientist Galileo Galilei in his scientific efforts and endeavors. Galileo even worked as a tutor for the Medici children.
Without the Medici family, Florence wouldn’t be what it is today. The family is responsible for some of Florence’s top attractions. The Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Gardens, the Palazzo Medici, and the Duomo are just a few of the contributions of the Medici family that can be visited today.
The Medici collected enough treasures to fill a museum, and today their acquisitions form the core of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. One of the most visited museums in all of the world, the gallery has over 10,000 patrons walk the great halls to marvel over the Renaissance masterpieces every day.
The Boboli gardens is a hidden gem of Florence tucked behind the Palazzo Pitti, one of the Medici homes turned museum. The garden is filled with roses and has a panoramic view of the city.
Palazzo Medici was construction in 1445 when Cosimo Medici ruled the family dynasty. The not-so-modest family home is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture.
The Duomo is most certainly the crown jewel of architecture in all of Florence, and it was commissioned by none other than Cosimo Medici himself.
Where ever you are in Florence the presence and legend of the Medici family lingers. Undoubtedly, the Medici in Florence had the greatest impact on the destiny of this city in the modern age. Their commission of artists and scientists have far outreached Italy, and their influences can be felt all over the world.
