Essay on Florence and Medici

Submitted By TSpraker
Words: 1262
Pages: 6
Open Document
Tyler Spraker
Julie Montione
HUM 2232
1 August 2014
Adoration of the Magi
Art has always been an extremely important part of the history of human civilization and the Renaissance period is most definitely no exception. I see art as a window into another time period giving us hints of not only what happened in history, but how did the given historical event make people of the period feel? I have chosen to take a closer look at the painting Adoration of the Magi in the hopes to better understand the period in which this piece was conceived, not only its historical significance but also its symbolic deeper meanings. The Adoration of the Magi demonstrates the context of the Renaissance in two key aspects. Not only does it display use of renaissance art techniques such as naturalism and perspective but also symbolically represents the power of the Medici family in Florence, Italy during the early renaissance. What I found particularly interesting about this painting was its simultaneous use of a secular and a non-secular theme. While this is obviously a painting deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, it also depicts members of Medici family and the esteemed artist himself Sandro Botticelli. I) Adoration of the Magi is a Tempera painting on panel. It is relatively small compared to other paintings of this time measuring only 44in x 53in. The painting’s scene portrays a very popular catholic theme. This setting displays the nativity scene of Jesus with members of the Medici family depicted as characters within the scene. “Cosimo [Medici] is dressed as the eldest magus and kneels before the Christ child. Looking on from the right side, in a black robe with a red stripe is Lorenzo the Magnificient, Cosimo’s grandson” ( Sanry, p. 473). This piece is asymmetrical in nature and uses neutral colors on the architecture, while in contrast, using vibrant bold colors to accentuate the people within the painting, primarily the members of the Medici family as well as the Virgin Mary and, of course, Jesus. It’s not particularly unique to see a Renaissance painting that depicts a scene from the bible or any sort of religious theme for that matter. However, I did find it interesting and almost egotistical of the Medici to have themselves depicted in the scene, putting themselves almost on the same level as Jesus and The Virgin Mary.

II) In order to better understand the historical significance of the Adoration of the Magi it is important to first recognize that “the Medici family was the most powerful family in Florentine affairs for 76 years” (Sanry, p. 473). According to The Humanities: Culture, Continuity & Change, the Medici’s power began when Cosimo Medici became banker of the papacy in 1418 ultimately obtaining domination over the opposing city of Sienna, it was from here on that the Medici “managed Florentine affairs from behind the scenes” for nearly 8 decades (Sanry, p. 473). Needless to say the Medici having this kind of power had both positive and negative outcomes for Florence. Although perhaps the most significant form of positive persuasion used by Cosimo Medici was “exerting considerable influence through his patronage of the arts” (Sanry, p. 473). It was estimated by Lorenzo Medici, Cosimo’s grandson, that the family had spent around 600,000 florins (Around 60 million dollars in today’s money) from 1434 to 1494 on public purposes (Sanry, p. 474). This includes but is not limited to: art, architecture and even music. After the death of Cosimo Medici and his son Piero, Lorenzo was left to lead the family in its affairs (Sanry, p. 476).
Cosimo Medici was gone but his patronage of the arts still carried on through his grandson Lorenzo. “Lorenzo’s circle of acquaintances included some of the greatest minds of the day” (Sanry, p. 476). This includes the Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli who was a frequent guest within the Medici household (Sanry, p. 476). It was around 1475 when both Lorenzo’s influence as well as the wealth of
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Florence and Medici

Essay about Medici: Florence and Medici family

Jessica Nawrocki Prof Slowik Art History 9 June 2013 Medici Family The Medici family, commonly known as the House of Medici, is a renowned political, banking as well as royal dynasty. It originated in Mugello Region, North of the Republic of Florence and began to rise to fame in the late fourteenth century. The family is esteemed for establishing the Medici Bank, the largest bank in Europe in the fifteenth century. According to Harold (1980), the Medici family is renowned for producing four Popes of the…

Words 853 - Pages 4

Essay about The Renaissance

The Renaissance began in Italy, and specifically, Florence, Italy became the birthplace of the Renaissance, mainly because of the power and influence of Medici family. The Medici's controlled Europe's largest bank and "dominated the ruling class of Florence" (Hankins 233). Florence had no set rulers, and because the Medici family was so wealthy and politically influential, they controlled much of politics and government in the city of Florence. They supported the idea of growing and learning new…

Words 547 - Pages 3

Italian Renaissance Research Paper

The Italian Renaissance and its Contributions to the World By: Jenna Kate Mchechnie and Samantha Joan Montes The Italian Renaissance first began in Florence, Italy in the 14th century. Florence, Italy had been said to be the heart of the Renaissance. The Renaissance had changed almost all facets of European culture and society, the Medieval Cultures were now being changed and evolving. During that time it was where the thoughts and focus on the afterlife were now being traded to…

Words 1222 - Pages 5

Famous Men of the Renaissance Essay

military theorist, civil servant, historian, playwright, and poet. His father was a doctor of law After 13 years of political inactivity he was recalled to government service by the Medici in 1525, but two years later the Medici were overthrown, and the new republic again excluded Machiavelli from office. He was born in Florence, Italy. His ”real” or full name was Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli. Machiavelli had a passion for ancient history. Leonardo da Vinci 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Leonardo was the love…

Words 511 - Pages 3

The Medicean Dynasty: The Medici Family

The Medici Family The Medicean Dynasty lasted over 300 years with few/brief interruptions starting with Giovanni. “He began by heading the peace party, which deplored any steps to suppress the resurgent power of Milan.” In 1427, Giovanni and Cosimo discretely introduced a new system of taxation. “It was devised to ensure that demands by the authorities would be distributed according to each citizen's 5 capacity to pay” (Cleugh 39). In1433, Cosimo refrained from using the growing numbers of pro-Medicean…

Words 1669 - Pages 7

Amerigo Vespucci Research Paper

was born and raised in Florence, Italy. He was the third son of Ser Nastagio (Anastasio), a Florentine notary, and Lisabetta Mini. Amerigo Vespucci was educated by his uncle, Fra Giorgio Antonio Vespucci, a Dominican friar of San Marco in Florence. While his elder brothers were sent to the University of Pisa to pursue scholarly careers, Amerigo Vespucci embraced a mercantile life, and was hired as a clerk by the Florentine commercial house of Medici, headed by Lorenzo de' Medici. Vespucci acquired the…

Words 248 - Pages 1

Essay on Niccolo Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli is a great influence on many poloticians, philosophers, and leaders alike. His name has also come into our grammer as Machiavellian or Machiavellism meaning a brutal or realist view of something perhaps not the most moral of methods but it is effective. In Niccolo Machiavelli's day and age he was one of the few that could read and write literacy was left primarily to preists and poloticians. He was oviously a very skilled politician and had a knowledge for the art of war.…

Words 945 - Pages 4

Renaissance and 13th Century Florence Essay

during the renaissance? 6) Who were the Medici? 7) What kind of relationship did neighboring republics have? 8) Sienna was located on a trade route between __________ and __________. 9) What was a major challenge faced by the Sienese? How did they solve it? 10) By the year 1035 how many miles of Bottini were there under Sienna? 11) This infrastructure allowed Sienna to control most of ______________________________. 12) In the 13th century Florence and Siena were rivals economically, __________…

Words 1660 - Pages 7

Essay on THE BOOK

1430s to the 1460s. It is recorded as the centerpiece of the first courtyard in the Palazzo Medici during the wedding festivities of Lorenzo de' Medici and Clarice Orsini in 1469. He may be known as father of Renaissance Sculpture because he was making the most well known and the nicest sculptures in western art. There are many statues of David in Florence, as the biblical story was a favorite of the Medici family because of its message that David was more powerful then he seemed. The wide popularity…

Words 971 - Pages 4

Who Is Michelangelo Alive?

the age of 88. During his career, he worked a lot with the Medici. He had many achievements in his life, including his two most famous sculptures; David and Pietá. The world of art today would be very different if Michelangelo had not been alive. Michelangelo was born on March 6th, 1475 in Caprese, which is today known as Caprese Michelangelo. The generations of his family before him had originally been small-scale bankers in in Florence. Although, his father, Lodovico di Leonardo di Buonarroti di…

Words 476 - Pages 2