The Influence of the Medici Essay Example
THE INFLUENCE OF THE MEDICI
In this paper I will argue that the Medici family had an influence on the art produced during the Renaissance Era. The Medici family managed to become the chief patrons of the era, going from merchant class to bankers and eventually politicians. Many of Florence’s most recognizable buildings and features exist due to the influence of the Medici.
Between 1300 and 1600 the Western world was transformed. An extraordinary wave of artistic and cultural innovation shattered medieval society and brought European culture reluctantly into the modern era. This was the Renaissance. Artists discovered how to paint in the third dimension, bringing new life and realism to their subjects. Breaking away from the religious traditions of the medieval world, they created entirely new genres of art, rich emotion. Radical new techniques were invented, such as painting with oils, and perspective. Artists such as, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello transformed the way we saw our world. The House of Medici or de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house. It first began to gain prominence under the man Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. Gradually the family made money through illegal loaning, they were able to found the Medici Bank and rise in social ranking. The bank was the largest, most prosperous and respected institution in Europe during the 15th century. The Medici also gained political power in Florence; though officially they remained simply citizens. The Medici produced four Popes of the Catholic Church and in 1531 the family became hereditary Dukes of Florence[1]. From this, they acquired political power initially in Florence and later in wider in Italy. Since they were able to bring Florence under their family's power, this allowed for an environment where art and humanism could flourish. Also, by establishing several major
In this paper I will argue that the Medici family had an influence on the art produced during the Renaissance Era. The Medici family managed to become the chief patrons of the era, going from merchant class to bankers and eventually politicians. Many of Florence’s most recognizable buildings and features exist due to the influence of the Medici.
Between 1300 and 1600 the Western world was transformed. An extraordinary wave of artistic and cultural innovation shattered medieval society and brought European culture reluctantly into the modern era. This was the Renaissance. Artists discovered how to paint in the third dimension, bringing new life and realism to their subjects. Breaking away from the religious traditions of the medieval world, they created entirely new genres of art, rich emotion. Radical new techniques were invented, such as painting with oils, and perspective. Artists such as, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello transformed the way we saw our world. The House of Medici or de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house. It first began to gain prominence under the man Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. Gradually the family made money through illegal loaning, they were able to found the Medici Bank and rise in social ranking. The bank was the largest, most prosperous and respected institution in Europe during the 15th century. The Medici also gained political power in Florence; though officially they remained simply citizens. The Medici produced four Popes of the Catholic Church and in 1531 the family became hereditary Dukes of Florence[1]. From this, they acquired political power initially in Florence and later in wider in Italy. Since they were able to bring Florence under their family's power, this allowed for an environment where art and humanism could flourish. Also, by establishing several major