The Renaissance 1300 1650 1 The Renaissance in

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The Renaissance 1300 -1650

The Renaissance 1300 -1650

1 The Renaissance in Italy Objectives: 1. Why were the Italian city-states a favorable

1 The Renaissance in Italy Objectives: 1. Why were the Italian city-states a favorable setting for a cultural rebirth? 2. What was the Renaissance? 3. What themes and techniques did Renaissance artists and writers explore?

life in the City-States • Social structure was not based around manor life, but

life in the City-States • Social structure was not based around manor life, but city-life and trade • Guilds- groups where members are involved in the same trade; Metalworkers, merchants, bakers, etc. • As guilds became more powerful, they wanted a greater say in politics and government, the Popolo, or organization of guilds fought for rights • Raised status of the “Common Man” to “Citizen”

Relating to Current Events: What Makes America “Great”?

Relating to Current Events: What Makes America “Great”?

Powerful Families of Italy The House of Sforza Ruling Family of: Milan • •

Powerful Families of Italy The House of Sforza Ruling Family of: Milan • • The House of Borgia of Medici Ruling Family of: Rome Ruled Milan from 1450 • 1535 Allied with Borgia Family Founder of dynasty, Muzio, came from peasant family. Muzio and son Francisco, became successful mercenary soldiers and used his military position • to become rulers in Milan Ruling Family of: Florence Prominent ecclesiastical • and political family in the 15 th and 16 th centuries, • producing two popes: Pope Callixtus III during 1455– 1458, and Rodrigo Borgia, as Pope • Alexander VI, during 1492 – 1503. suspected of many crimes, including adultery, incest, nepotism, theft, bribery, and murder Success in commerce and banking. (1397 -1494) Support of the arts and humanities made Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance. Family produced four popes (Leo X, Clement VII, Pius IV and Leon XI), and their genes have been mixed into many of Europe’s royal families.

The Borgias Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) Cesare Borgia Lucrezia Borgia

The Borgias Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) Cesare Borgia Lucrezia Borgia

Commercial Success – The “Merchant Princes” • Money Translated into cultural and political power

Commercial Success – The “Merchant Princes” • Money Translated into cultural and political power • These were individuals and families who had become wealthy through trade. • They had a respect for human achievement and a commitment to public good. • Medici Family at the center of Italian Renaissance • Cosimo de’ Medici consolidated power in 1434 A. D. • Grandson, Lorenzo de’ Medici became patron – or financial supporter of the arts

Pre-Medici Florence - Economy • Banking was a major source of power and income,

Pre-Medici Florence - Economy • Banking was a major source of power and income, and the Florentine gold coin, the florin was so reliable that it was the standard coinage in Europe The Florin • Much of Florence's wealth was dependent on the manufacture and trade of cloth, primarily wool.

Beginnings of Medici Power • Giovanni di Bicci de’Medici • 1360 -1429 • First

Beginnings of Medici Power • Giovanni di Bicci de’Medici • 1360 -1429 • First of the famous ruling Medici’s and considered founder of Medici family fortune • Built family business from the ground up- Wool Merchant and Banker • Bankrolled the Pirate and Cardinal, Baldessarri Cossa’s campaign to be Pope in 1410. Cossa in return made the Medici’s the Bankers of the Papacy • This move increased their wealth, power, and prestige • Giovanni is considered to be the first prominent patron of the arts • Giovanni was a leader not concerned with politics, but rather the family fortune and the arts • Teaching his children to appear modest in public, and not showing of their wealth, Giovanni taught his children to appear to be of the people • Giovanni died in 1429 and his son Cosimo became head of the Medici family

Rise of Cosimo de’Medici (1389 -1464) • Became head of powerful family bank in

Rise of Cosimo de’Medici (1389 -1464) • Became head of powerful family bank in 1429 • Amassed a fortune because he became banker to the pope, and his bank also spread to all the important financial markets throughout Europe. • Cosimo was very interested in a rebirth of classical ideas and even went so far as to recreate Plato’s ancient academy in Carregi, Italy. • Cosimo was also a very religious man and much of his patronage of the arts was rooted in his religious fervor. • Cosimo spent a considerable portion of his wealth on the arts • Amassed the largest library in Europe • Supported artists and builders • Florence became cultural center of Europe- Home of the Humanist movement

Palazzo Medici Riccardi- Medici Palace, Florence

Palazzo Medici Riccardi- Medici Palace, Florence

The Struggles of Cosimo de Medici • 1431 - Rival family or Florence, the

The Struggles of Cosimo de Medici • 1431 - Rival family or Florence, the Albizzi attempted a coup against Medici rule in Florence • Cosimo was jailed for crimes of “having sought to elevate himself higher than others. ” • Bribed his way out of jail and escaped • Returned in 1434 - invited back by the people after the Albizzi lost confidence of the people to rule. Ruled until his death in 1464. • Cosimo required undivided power in order to carry out his plans as well as to satisfy his passions, above all his passion for building • Built Alliance with the Sforza family of Milan and relied on their military to crush opposition

Lorenzo de’Medici (1449 -1492) • Grandson of Cosimo • Lorenzo, known also as Lorenzo

Lorenzo de’Medici (1449 -1492) • Grandson of Cosimo • Lorenzo, known also as Lorenzo the Magnificent, was is said to be the most brilliant of the Medici • Lorenzo was also respected as a very talented Latin poet, and like his family members was very interested in texts of antiquity • Lorenzo is considered to be the greatest patron of the arts • Commissioned such artists and musicians as Michelangelo, Botticelli and Verrocchio • Reasons for this patronage included genuine interest, continuing family tradition, and political motives • Lorenzo even discovered the talented Michelangelo when the artist was only 15 years old Lorenzo de Medici, Andrea del Verrocchio

Decline of the Patronage • Lorenzo died in 1492, at the moment that a

Decline of the Patronage • Lorenzo died in 1492, at the moment that a new historical era was beginning (King Charles VIII was about to great chaos on the Italian peninsula) • His concern of politics and the arts however, led to mismanagement of the Medici bank and eventual collapse of their banks • Lorenzo was succeeded in Florence by the fervent leader, Savonarola who was a strong believer in aestheticism

The Pazzi Conspiracy Francesco de' Pazzi put together a plan to assassinate Lorenzo and

The Pazzi Conspiracy Francesco de' Pazzi put together a plan to assassinate Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici. Pope Sixtus was approached for his support. He made a very carefully worded statement in which he said he was unable to sanction killing. He made it clear that it would be of great benefit to the papacy to have the Medici removed from their position of power in Florence • An assassination attempt on the Medici brothers was made during Easter mass at the Cathedral of Florence on April 26, 1478. Giuliano de’ Medici was killed by Francesco Pazzi, but Lorenzo was able to defend himself and escaped only slightly wounded. • The people rose up to support the Medici, seized the Pazzi conspirators, executed them, and the bodies were put on display or dragged through the streets. • The Pazzi were banished from Florence, and their lands and property confiscated. Their name and their coat of arms were perpetually suppressed. The name was erased from public registers, and all buildings and streets carrying it were renamed

The Pazzi Conspiracy 1479 drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of hanged Pazzi conspirator Bernardo

The Pazzi Conspiracy 1479 drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of hanged Pazzi conspirator Bernardo Bandini dei Baroncelli

Post-Medici – Girolamo Savonarola was a preacher who settled in Florence in 1489. He

Post-Medici – Girolamo Savonarola was a preacher who settled in Florence in 1489. He attacked the tyranny of the Medici family in his sermons, and when in 1494, Charles VIII of France invaded Italy, the Medici’s lost power, and Savonarola took control, putting Florence under extremely rigid control. Savonarola’s influence did not go unnoticed by the higher church officials, however, and his excesses earned him the disdain of Pope Alexander VI. He was eventually excommunicated on May 13, 1497. His charge was heresy and sedition at the command of Pope Alexander VI. [5]Savonarola was executed on May 23, 1498, hung on a cross and burned to death

The Bonfire of the Vanities • Bonfire occurred Feb. 7, 1497 • Beginning about

The Bonfire of the Vanities • Bonfire occurred Feb. 7, 1497 • Beginning about 1490, Savonarola began to preach with more insistence about the Apocalypse he believed would occur in the year 1500. • At the same time, she writes, the ruling family of Florence, the Medicis, were losing power and the respect of the people. • In 1494, “inflamed by Savonarola’s preaching, ” mobs burned down the Medicis’ bank, the center of their power, after the family fled the city. Savonarola took power and started criticizing contemporary art. • The focus of this destruction was nominally on objects that might tempt one to sin, including vanity items such as mirrors, cosmetics, fine dresses, playing cards, even musical instruments, Humanist writings and paintings.

Hanging and burning of Girolamo Savonarola in Piazza della Signoria in Florence in 1498,

Hanging and burning of Girolamo Savonarola in Piazza della Signoria in Florence in 1498, attributed to Francesco di Lorenzo Rosselli, Museo di San Marco, Florence

Videos • The Medicis- Godfathers of the Renaissance https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=GOAVRc. I

Videos • The Medicis- Godfathers of the Renaissance https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=GOAVRc. I 6 m. FU&list= PL 6 ofor. B 7 ir 5 Jn. S 2 w. IJl. MYix. C 5 r. Wlzqt. ET School of Life https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=f. I 1 Oe. Mmw. Yj. U PBS- http: //www. pbs. org/empires/medici/timeline/turning_fla. html

The Medici Family • Cosimo-spent part of his wealth on charitable acts, lived simply,

The Medici Family • Cosimo-spent part of his wealth on charitable acts, lived simply, and cultivated literature and the arts. Amassed the largest library in Europe, brought in many Greek sources. • He was a patron of many artists including the great master Donatello. • Florence became the cultural center of Europe and the center of the new Humanism. • Lorenzo The Magnificent, " as he was called by the people of Florence, was a statesman, ruler, and patron of the arts. • Lorenzo ruled Florence with his younger brother, Giuliano, from 1469 to 1478. • He contributed more than anyone to the Florentine art, supporting such Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.