Lorenzo de' Menici

Lorenzo de’Medici was born on January 1, 1449. Born into the famous Medici family, Lorenzo’s grandfather, Cosimo, was well-known for his wealth which he used for funding the arts. Among his four siblings, Lorenzo was considered to be the smartest and so was sent on trips to meet many popular figures at the time, including the pope and political people, by his father. Cosimo prepared Lorenzo for a role in power as a child also, knowing that his son’s health was depleting quickly.
As Cosimo predicted, Piero died leaving Lorenzo, twenty at the time, to take control of the state. Lorenzo ruled “behind the scenes”, as he held no part in public office. Lorenzo kept up the reputation and standing of his family as he came to an agreement with Pope Sixtus IV so that the Medici could continue in taking care of the papal finances. Lorenzo also became the favorite of many in 1472 as he made it possible for grain to be imported, in order to avoid a famine. Unfortunately, Florence’s economy, along with the Medici’s private wealth, did not prosper under Lorenzo’s rule. This was believed to have happened due to the fact that Lorenzo was too caught up in matters of culture and diplomacy. During De’ Medici’s rule, he paid the likes of Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Filippo Lippi to paint the city in order to add beauty.
“Leonardo the Magnificent” was loved and admired by many, up until the day of his death on April 9, 1492.
Question: Leonardo de’ Medici was raised at an early age to be a ruler, having higher education and preparation, perhaps contributing to his success as a leader. Explain in what ways this is similar to the idea of a “philosopher king”?