Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Understand
The Medicis
Nowhere is a family name as linked with a city's identity as in Florence.
Harking from the Mugello region north of Florence, the Medicis were involved in the wool trade in the 13th
and early 14th century. Though successful, they only came to prominence during the late 14th century, when
Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (1360-1429) established the Medici Bank. By the 15th century it was the largest in
Europe. Giovanni's son Cosimo ('The Elder'; 1389-1464) used the vast family fortune to control local politics,
becoming
gran maestro
(unofficial head of state) of the Florentine republic in 1434. A humanist, he was an en-
lightened patron of Florentine culture and arts.
Cosimo's son Piero (1416-69) succeeded his father as
gran maestro
but didn't have his penchant for patron-
age or skill in politics. His son and heir Lorenzo ('The Magnificent'; 1449-92) fully embraced his grandfather's
interest in politics and culture, but had no interest in the bank. After his death it became apparent that the bank
was in financial trouble, a situation exacerbated by his incompetent son and heir Piero (1472-1503). Piero's
short reign as
gran maestro
culminated in the dynasty's exile from Florence in 1494.
Lorenzo's reputation and wealth had ensured that his second son, Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici
(1475-1521), attained a powerful position in the Church; he became pope in 1513 (as Leo X). His cousin Giulio
de' Medici (1478-1535) followed in his footsteps, being elected pope in 1523 and taking the name Clement VII.
Both continued the Medici tradition of arts patronage.
The Medicis returned to Florence in 1512, but few were as talented or successful as their forebears. The most
impressive was Cosimo I (1519-74), an ambitious soldier who became Duke of Florence and then the first
Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was also a great patron of the arts.
After the Medicis' defeat by the House of Lorraine, Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici (1667-1743) willed the
family's assets (including its magnificent art collection) to the Tuscan state, provided that nothing was ever re-
moved from Florence.
