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What were the contributions of the de Medici family to the Renaissance in Italy during the fifteenth century? The de Medicis were the effective rulers of the Florentine Republic in the 15th century , and they later became the ruling house of Florence in the 16th and 17th century. The family, especially in the fifteenth century made a decisive contribution to the Renaissance in Italy. This was through their patronage of the arts in their native Florence and their policies that favored peace and stability in Italy shaped the Renaissance. The de Medicis made a real and telling contribution to the arts, politics and stability of Italy and encouraged the cultural flourishing that became known as the Renaissance.

==De Medici-Background==The Medici family originally originate in a small village to the north This contribution was through their patronage of Florence. In the thirteenth century, the first Medici arrived arts in their native Florence. The family soon prospered in their new home. The early De Medici’s made and their money in the wool trade. They used the profits policies that they made favored peace and stability in the wool trade to diversify their business interestsItaly. Giovanni di Bicci The de' Medici (c. 1360–1429), increased the wealth of the family Medicis made a real and established telling contribution to the Medici Bankarts, politics, and became one stability of Italy and encouraged the richest men in the city of Florence.<ref> Hibbert, Christopher. The House of Medici: Its Rise intellectual and Fall. Morrow (London, Morrow, 1975) </ref> The Medici cultural flourishing that became involved in politics and they were often involved with the popular party in Florence. In general, the Medici liked to influence politics from behind the scene and used their wealth and connections to achieve their goals. In 1434 Cosimo the Elder was elected known as one of the leaders of the Florentine Republic and although he was only one of several magistrates who ruled the city he came to dominate it.<ref> Ferdinand Schevill, <i>History of Florence: From the Founding of the City Through the Renaissance</i> (London, Frederick Ungar, 1936), p. 113</ref>

====De Medici-Background====The city’s artists and writers took advantage Medici family originally originate in a small village to the north of Florence. In the thirteenth century, the peace and stability to develop first Medici arrived in Florence. The family soon prospered in their new styles of art home. The early De Medici’s made their money in securitythe wool trade. Then They used the profits that they made in the wool trade to diversify their business interests. Giovanni di Bicci de ' Medici were quite tolerant for the times(c.<ref> Martines1360–1429), p. 145</ref> They were largely secular in outlook increased the wealth of the family and their power meant that established the city’s artists Medici Bank, and writers did not have to fear from became one of the richest men in the Inquisition or clerical interferencecity of Florence.<ref>SchevillHibbert, pChristopher. 117<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0688053394/ref> =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0688053394&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3a60f5b995328d84b5c49af6c25a9362 The House of Medici, especially Lorenzo the Magnificent were broad-minded, indeed Lorenzo was himself a distinguished poet and this led to an atmosphere where new ideas : Its Rise and practices were encouraged and even promoted in Florence.Fall]<ref/i> Strathern. Morrow (London, p. 117Morrow, 1975) </ref> The de Medic had long been associated Medici became involved in politics, and they were often involved with the Humanistspopular party in Florence. Lorenzo In general, the Medici liked to influence politics from behind the Magnificent was himself taught by a well-known Humanist scene and used their wealth and connections to achieve their goals. In 1434 Cosimo the Elder was sympathetic to elected as one of the aims leaders of the movement. This meant that humanism Florentine Republic, and its ideas on human reason and capabilities flourished in although he was only one of several magistrates who ruled the city, he came to dominate it. Indeed<ref> Ferdinand Schevill, many humanists such as De Valla were able to secure employment in <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006D8BXY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006D8BXY&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d7f7869357eb87e0ad2906fa13cffb47 History of Florence: From the de Medici administration and added to Founding of the cultural life of City Through the city.Renaissance]<ref/i> Hibbert(London, Frederick Ungar, 1936), p. 167113</ref>

==De Medici Cosimo was a very effective leader and the Peace of Italy==In the fifteenth century conditions in Italy became more peaceful. In previous centuries war was endemic in the Peninsula. There were conflicts between a skilled negotiator, and he brought stability to the city-states and often civil conflicts within themmade it even wealthier. These indeed led to the rise of many tyrants all over Italy especiallyBefore Cosimo, in the 14th century. The De Medici did not like to engage in war city had been regularly disturbed and unsettled by political factions and did not want to expand Florentine territoryinfluential families.<ref> Hibbert, p. 156</ref> They favored peace and believed that war Cosimo was bad for trade. In this, they succeeded by his son Piero who had a decidedly modern outlook. Cosimo the Elder worked tirelessly for peace in little of the North abilities of Italyhis father. He sought died while still quite young and was succeeded by his son Lorenzo, who is known to establish a balance of power in the region between the main powers and the exclusion of foreign powers such history as Lorenzo the French and the Holy Roman EmperorMagnificent. Cosimo helped to negotiate He was an end to a series of wars in Lombardy excellent ruler and helped the main players in Italy, Milan, Naples, Venice brought peace and prosperity to Florence to reach an agreement to respect each other’s territorial integrityand its hinterland.

Lorenzo However, the MagnificentDe Medici business fortunes began to falter, followed his grandfather’s policies with regard to maintaining a balance of power in Italyand this ultimately weakened their hold on Florence. This led him Lorenzo and other Northern Italian leaders to negotiate the Treaty of Lodi that brought peace and stability Medici survived a plot to the North kill them and Central Italyseize power in 1474.<ref> HibbertSchevill, p. 118115</ref> After Lorenzo died, his son became head of Florence but he was incompetent, and he provoked a popular uprising against the family, and this led to their expulsion from Florence from 1494-1512. The Family was restored to Florence in 1512, and they eventually became the Dukes of Florence. However, the glory days were gone, the later de Medici through was not as powerful or as rich as their policies did much to bring peace predecessors, and security to much of Italy Florence became a political and this was crucial for the Renaissance cultural backwater.<ref>Miles J. UngerPaul Strathern, <i>Magnifico[https: //www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844130983/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1844130983&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a398a7e529dca0fff02bd3e08ca6b25a The Brilliant Life and Violent Times Medici—Godfathers of Lorenzo de Medicithe Renaissance]</i>, (London, Simon and Schuster 2008Pimlico, 2005), p. 134213</ref> It is no coincidence that {{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====de Medici and Florence====In the zenith of 15th century when the Italian Renaissance when it produced de Medici was at the great works height of Michelangelotheir powers, Leonardothey dominated Florence.<ref> Lauro Martines, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019517609X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019517609X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=654c7c84b58e8d9216a561104ef011e1 April Blood: Florence and Raphaelthe Plot Against the Medici]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press 2003, corresponded p. 114)</ref> However, they were eager to appear as first among equals, they went to great lengths to allow the other noble and wealthy families to a relatively peaceful period in Northern Italy secure many of the offices in the fifteen centuryCity-Republic’s government. In this way<ref> Schevill, p. 115</ref> This reconciled many of them to the domination of their Republic by one family. The de Medici helped were fabulously wealthy at least until the 1480s, and their wealth was able to create an ideal environment for smooth out any difficulties that they had experienced and the City of Florence experienced a period of peace and stability because of the great artists de Medici's wealth. This period of tranquility was unique in the era city’s history that well-known for its political turbulence. The de Medici brought stability to grow the city and create peerless works of artthis allowed trade to flourish and also the arts. The stability that the de Medici provided allowed Florence to become a cultural center.

==The De Medici city’s artists and writers took advantage of the revival peace and stability to develop new styles of Greek Learning==[[File: De Medici Oneart in security.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Michaelangelo – whose patrons were Then the De de Medici]]The Renaissance was inspired by were quite tolerant for the Classical World of Ancient Greece and Rometimes. However<ref> Martines, until the fifteenth century, the Italian humanists only knew of Ancient Greece and the great works of Plato and the other great Greeks through the Romansp. Cosimo the Elder helped to introduce Ancient Greek manuscripts and culture into Italy. Cosimo the Elder sought to end the schism 145</ref> They were mostly secular in the Christian Church. He helped to negotiate the union of the Catholic outlook and the Orthodox Church their power meant that was formalized at the Council of Florence in 1439. This Union ultimately failed but it was to city’s artists and writers did not have a profound impact on the development of the Renaissance. The Byzantine Emperor visited Florence in 1493 to ratify the Union and he was attended by several hundred followers among them fear from the great Neoplatonist philosopher George Gemistos PlethonInquisition or clerical interference.<ref> MilesSchevill, p. 123117</ref> Cosimo had failed to achieve a lasting union between The Medici, especially Lorenzo the eastern and the western ChurchMagnificent was broad-minded. HoweverIndeed, Lorenzo was himself a distinguished poet, he inspired renewed interest in the works of the Greeks as he patronized several Greek scholars from Byzantium and appears this led to have secured some manuscripts that an atmosphere where new ideas and practices were previously unknown encouraged and even promoted in Florence. In the Byzantine Empire, there were many great works from the Greek past that were unknown in Italy. The city of Florence soon became the center for the study of Ancient Greek culture and Neoplatonism, became very influential.<ref>HibbertStrathern, p. 134117</ref> The increasing interest in Greek culture was to direct the Renaissance in new directions and inspired a new generation of writers and philosophers such as Pico Della Mirandola.

==De Medici as Patrons==[[File:Medici TwoThe de Medic had long been associated with the Humanists.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Lorenzo the Magnificent]]All of the de Medici had an interest in the arts in the fifteenth century. This was in order himself taught by a well-known Humanist and was sympathetic to legitimize the rule aims of the familymovement. The works commissioned by the family often sought to raise the status of the family For this reason, humanism and its ideas on human reason and capabilities flourished in the city. They used art Indeed, many humanists such as De Valla were able to fortify their position secure employment in Florentine Society. However, the family was also genuinely fond of art, architecture, de Medici administration and literature. Cosimo was very knowledgeable about architecture and Lorenzo added to the Magnificent was a connoisseur cultural life of paintings and sculpturesthe city.<ref> Hibbert, p. 167</ref>

The Medici’s used their lavish wealth to patronize many of ====De Medici and the greatest artists Peace of Italy====In the timefifteenth century conditions in Italy became more peaceful. The family In previous centuries war was directly responsible for some of the greatest works endemic in the RenaissancePeninsula. Cosimo There were conflicts between the Elder was city-states and often civil conflicts within them. These indeed led to the patron rise of the great architect Bruneschelli and it was under De Medici orders that he built the great Medici Sacristy many tyrants all over Italy especially, in the Church of San Lorenzo14th century. It was Cosimo who ordered the building of the great The De Medici Palace with its magnificent paintings by Ucelleo. It was Cosimo who also commissioned Donatello's, Bronze of David, one of the most influential pieces of sculpture did not like to engage in the periodwar and did not want to expand Florentine territory.<ref> Hibbert, p. 134156</ref> Lorenzo They favored peace and believed that war was equally lavish bad for trade. In this, they had a decidedly modern outlook. Cosimo the Elder worked tirelessly for peace in his patronage the North of artists Italy. He sought to establish a balance of power in the region between the main powers and the commissioning exclusion of great works foreign powers such as the French and the Holy Roman Emperor. Cosimo helped to negotiate an end to a series of artwars in Lombardy and helped the main players in Italy, Milan, Naples, Venice, and Florence to reach an agreement to respect each other’s territorial integrity.

He is widely seen as perhaps Lorenzo, the greatest patron Magnificent, followed his grandfather’s policies about maintaining a balance of power in Italy. This led Lorenzo and other Northern Italian leaders to negotiate the arts in Renaissance Treaty of Lodi that brought peace and stability to the North and Central Italy.<ref>Hibbert, but this view has been challenged in recent decadesp. He also commissioned works from great artists such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio118</ref> The de Medici through their policies did much to bring peace and security too much of Italy, and Verrocchiothis was crucial for the Renaissance <ref>Miles J. MoreoverUnger, Lorenzo established a sculpture garden at San Marco, where he encouraged the young Michelangelo to study works from the Classical Period<i>[https://www.amazon. Michelangelo produced his first great works under the patronage com/gp/product/074325435X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=074325435X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ae832840e01fbaf68a8af9739f4806f4 Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo.de Medici]<ref/i>Miles, (London, Simon and Schuster 2008), p 145. 134</ref> It is not a coincidence that the cultural zenith of the Italian Renaissance occurred when Florence was stable. Michelangelo formed part of Lorenzo’s household, Leonardo, and he treated Raphael produced their most celebrated works when Northern Italy was experiencing an unprecedented peaceful period in the fifteen century. In this way, the de Medici helped to create an ideal environment for the great artists as of the equals era to grow and create peerless works of humanist scholars and poetsart.

This was unprecedented in Republican Florence, where painters and sculptors had only been ;ranked as mere tradesmen or common craftsmen.'<ref> Miles, 117</ref> This raised the status of the artists in the eyes of Florentine society and this was to produce an environment where they had more freedom of expression and this enabled them to produce many great artworks.<ref>Strathern, p 65</ref> Lorenzo not only patronized these great artists but they also patronized many humanists and writers and they all helped to make Florence a leading intellectual center. Ironically, it has been suggested that the de Medici’s lavish expenditure on the arts and buildings led to their financial difficulties from the 1480s onwards, which contributed to their ‘expulsion from the city in 1494.<ref>Miles, p 134 <dh-ad/ref>

==Conclusion==The de De Medici during their rule and the revival of Florence in Greek Learning====[[File: De Medici One.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Michaelangelo – whose patrons were the fifteen century did much to influence De Medici]]The Renaissance was inspired by the Renaissance Classical World of Ancient Greece and to enable Rome. However, until the great artistsfifteenth century, the Italian humanists, only knew of Ancient Greece and writers, to produce their the great works that have been so influential down of Plato and the other great Greeks through the centuriesRomans. The family brought stability Cosimo the Elder helped to introduce Ancient Greek manuscripts and peace culture into Italy. Cosimo the Elder sought to end the city schism in the Christian Church. He helped to negotiate the union of the Catholic and the Orthodox Church that was formalized at the Council of Florencein 1439. This Union ultimately failed, but it was crucial in to have a profound impact on the development of the cultural flourishing Renaissance.  The Byzantine Emperor visited Florence in 1493 to ratify the city in Union, and he was attended by several hundred followers among them the fifteenth centurygreat Neoplatonist philosopher George Gemistos Plethon.<ref> Miles, p. The de Medici largely peaceful rule did much 123</ref> Cosimo had failed to promote achieve a lasting union between the Renaissance in eastern and the citywestern Church. They also However, he inspired renewed interest in their relations with the other city-states did much works of the Greeks as he patronized several Greek scholars from Byzantium and appeared to bring peace to North Italyhave secured some manuscripts that were previously unknown in Florence. Then In the de Medici Byzantine Empire, there were many great works from the Greek past that were very instrumental unknown in Italy. The city of Florence soon became the center for the growing study of Ancient Greek culture and Neoplatonism, became very influential.<ref>Hibbert, p. 134</ref> The increasing interest in Greek culture was to direct the Renaissance in new directions and historyinspired a new generation of writers and philosophers such as Pico Della Mirandola. ====De Medici as Patrons====[[File:Medici Two. Cosimo jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Lorenzo the Magnificent]]All of the de Medici had an interest in the arts in the fifteenth century and his policies promoted, unintentionally, art was used to legitimize the study family's rule of Florence. The works commissioned by the works family often sought to raise the status of the Greeksfamily in the city. This was They used art to move the Renaissance fortify their position in new directionsFlorentine Society. However, especially under the influence family was also genuinely fond of Neoplatonismart, architecture, and literature. Then there Cosimo was very knowledgeable about architecture and Lorenzo the patronage Magnificent was a connoisseur of paintings and sculptures.  The Medici’s used their lavish wealth to patronize many of the de Medici, greatest artists of the time. The family was directly helped many responsible for some of the greatest works in the Renaissance. Cosimo the Elder was the patron of the great artists to produce many new architect Bruneschelli, and it was under De Medici orders that he built the great works Medici Sacristy in the Church of artSan Lorenzo. Lorenzo the Magnificent especially helped to raise It was Cosimo who ordered the status building of the artists in Florentine societygreat De Medici Palace with its magnificent paintings by Uccello. By It was Cosimo who also commissioned Donatello's, Bronze of David, one of the time most influential pieces of their expulsion sculpture in 1494the period.<ref> Hibbert, p. 134</ref>  Lorenzo was equally lavish in his patronage of artists and the family had made a significant contribution to commissioning of great works of art. He is widely seen as perhaps the development greatest patron of the arts in RenaissanceItaly, which but this view has been crucial challenged in recent decades. He also commissioned works from great artists such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, and Verrocchio. Moreover, Lorenzo established a sculpture garden at San Marco, where he encouraged the young Michelangelo to study works from the evolution Classical Period. Michelangelo produced his first significant works under the patronage of the modern worldLorenzo. ==References==<referencesref>Miles, p 145</ref> Michelangelo formed part of Lorenzo’s household, and he treated artists as the equals of humanist scholars and poets.

Lorenzo's treatment of articles was unprecedented in Republican Florence, where painters and sculptors had only been ranked as mere tradesmen or common craftsmen.'<ref> Miles, 117</ref> This treatment raised the status of the artists in the eyes of Florentine society and this was to produce an environment where they had more freedom of expression, and this enabled them to produce many great artworks.<ref>Strathern, p 65</ref> Lorenzo not only patronized these great artists but they also patronized many humanists and writers and they all helped to make Florence a leading intellectual center. Ironically, it has been suggested that the de Medici’s lavish expenditure on the arts and buildings led to their financial difficulties from the 1480s onwards, which contributed to their ‘expulsion from the city in 1494.<ref>Miles, p 134 </ref><div class="portal" style="'float:right; width:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====

{{Mediawiki:Cosimo de Medici and his policies promoted, unintentionally, the study of the works of the Greeks. This was to move the Renaissance History}}in new directions, especially under the influence of Neoplatonism. Then there was the patronage of the de Medici; the family directly helped many great artists to produce many new and great works of art. Lorenzo the Magnificent especially helped to raise the status of the artists in Florentine society. By the time of their expulsion in 1494, the family had made a significant contribution to the development of the Renaissance, which has been crucial in the evolution of the modern world.

[[Category{{MediaWiki:Italian History]] [[Category:Renaissance History]] [[Category:European History]][[category:wikis]]AmNative}}====References====<references/>