Patricia Isabelle D.

Perez 2013-25196 Art Stud 1 WFU-1 The Medici Renaissance Power manifests in many formssometimes it lives in deep pockets of tycoons, nestled in between the lines of a book, or laced in the whispers behind closed doors. The struggle for power is a ubiquitous and recurring theme in global history. If history is said to be written by the victors, then power is the god they worship. It is in itself a means and an end. But regardless of its motives or origins, there is no mistaking the change power promises (good or bad) in the lives of many and many to come. Of the many manifestations of power, perhaps one of the most influential and significant is the inherited power that can span generations: the family, or more appropriately, the dynasty. In a dynasty, power and prestige is passed on only through blood and holy bonds. For centuries dynasties have ruled over the world, but one particular family is able to evoke such mixed reactions over their influence on history, politics and the artsthe Medici.

The Medici family is considered to be one of most powerful families of all time. Their contributions to the world of art, politics, science and religion shaped the world as we know it. A growing force in 13th century Italy, the House of Medici rose to wealth and prestige through its dominance in the commerce and banking industries. Giovanni De Medici (13601429) established the Medici Bank, which made the Medici the wealthiest in Florence at the time. Though he was not of noble heritage (he belonged to merchant class) and held no political position, his connections among the citys elite gained his family support and cemented the Medicis status as the unofficial heads of Florence. Giovannis son, Cosimo the Elder, (1389-1464) lifted the Medici familys status from a mere wealthy dynasty to a now political one. Though under a representative government, his charitable acts and life-long patronage towards literature and the arts (he commissioned artists such as Donatello and Brunelleschi) crowned him as the unofficial monarch of Florence. The Medici inclination towards the arts was a major driving force in the Italian Renaissance and set the pace for the years to come. But it was during Cosimos grandson, Lorenzo the Magnificents time that Renaissance ethos flourished, and Florence became the cultural center of Europe. Florentine culture was at its height during this time, with revolutionary artists such as Boticelli under Medici patronage. But due to Lorenzos hedonistic lifestyle, he neglected the family business and earned the ire of some Florentines, eventually leading to his son Pieros

exile and death. This was a mere setback to Giovanni (1475-1521), Pieros brotherhis efforts returned the Medici family to Florence, and now brought them to the height of their political influence over Europe. This marked the start of the Medicis religious dynasty as Giovanni would soon become Pope Leo X, and his cousin, Giulani, would follow him as Pope Clement VII. He continued the tradition of artistic patronage by commissioning the Three Greats (Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael while delving into a new means of influence using his papal power. The Vatican began selling indulgences which was detested by Martin Luther, a German friar that sparked a religious revolution (known as the Reformation) that would change Christianity forever. All of this was the Medici Renaissance.

What makes the House of Medici so different from other dynasties is that their influence encompassed nearly all sectors of Italian societyfrom their religious (and consequently political) power as popes, to their social and cultural influence as avid patrons of Renaissance art, the Medicis were the first to truly maximize their influence by stretching the boundaries of what power meant then. They captured the hearts and minds of most by religiously supporting Renaissance arts and letters by commissioning Florentine artists (using their vast riches), which breathed new life to artistic tradition while promoting the Medici brand. What they deemed beautiful, they shared to Florence, and thus what was good for them was good for the people. Even the Italian language existing now was based on Cosimos insistence on the Tuscan dialect. The Medicis were also known for supporting Galileo Galilei, a leading scientist and astronomer. Humanism was their main thrust and cause. On the more political aspect, they changed the playing field by using their religious powers as a way to also forward their brand. Dirty politics or not, this revolutionized political theories as seen in Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince which was dedicated to the Medicis. Their actions on the papal seat sparked outrage and caused the division between Catholics and Protestants.

There is no denying the massive effects of the Medici family on the world, even if they were just acting on their own interests. Without them, the arts, sciences, humanities, politics and religion would not be the same. They used everything they possessed as a tool for powerwhether it was their wealth, art, religion or statusall was for the forwarding of the Medici brand. No other dynasty after them could ever hold a candle to the sheer ambition of the Medici. In the end, in spite of all their faults and their eventual fall, the Medicis still got what the wanteda taste of power, and their name forever etched in the history of mankind. Truly, there is no family like the Medici.