The Medici by Paul Strathern
I promised myself I will finish reading The Medici before visiting Italy, aaaand…it sort of didn’t happen. I was trying to wrap up this 400 page book on the flight to Florence. But here we go.
In The Medici, Paul Strathern presents a masterful narrative of one of the most influential families in the history of Florence, Italy. Strathern adeptly interweaves the Medici family's story with the broader historical and cultural context of Renaissance Italy, providing readers with a profound understanding of the era in which they flourished.
Strathern delves deeply into the Medici family's ascent to power, tracing their humble origins as wool merchants and bankers and following their trajectory as they rose to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Italy. Throughout the book, he explores the family's political and cultural accomplishments, including their patronage of the arts and their contributions to the development of humanism.
The Medici family was one of the most prominent patrons of the arts during the Italian Renaissance, and their influence can still be seen in many of the great works of art from that era. The family commissioned many of the greatest artists of the time, including Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. These artists produced works of art that are now considered some of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance, including Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and Michelangelo's "David". The Medici family's patronage helped to establish Florence as a center of artistic excellence, and their support of the arts played a crucial role in the development of the Renaissance.
In addition to their support of the arts, the Medici family was also instrumental in the development of humanism, a movement that emphasized the study of classical literature and the importance of human dignity and potential. Lorenzo the Magnificent, one of the most prominent members of the Medici family, was a great supporter of humanism. He founded the Library of San Lorenzo, which housed a vast collection of ancient texts, manuscripts, and works by contemporary writers. The library became a center of intellectual activity and helped to promote the study of classical literature. The family also founded the Platonic Academy in Florence, which was a gathering place for scholars and philosophers. The Academy promoted the study of Plato's philosophy and helped to shape the development of humanism in Italy. The Medici family's support of humanism helped to promote intellectual inquiry and advance the cause of human dignity during the Renaissance.
The Medici family's contributions to the arts and humanism can be seen in many of the iconic landmarks of Renaissance Florence. For example, the family's palace in Florence, the Palazzo Medici, was a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo, the building featured many works of art, including frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli. The Palazzo Medici served as a testament to the family's power and wealth, and helped to establish the Medici family as one of the most powerful and influential families in Italy. The family's crypt, located in the Basilica di San Lorenzo, was another example of their patronage of the arts. The crypt housed many works of art, including sculptures by Michelangelo. The Medici family's support of the arts and humanism helped to make Florence one of the cultural and intellectual centers of Europe during the Renaissance.
One of the book's key strengths is Strathern's ability to bring to life the diverse personalities that made up the Medici family, from the shrewd and Machiavellian Cosimo de' Medici to the brilliant and eccentric Lorenzo the Magnificent. He also examines the family's complex relationships with other prominent figures of the time, including artists, philosophers, and political leaders.
Overall, "The Medici" is a meticulously researched and captivating book that provides an insightful glimpse into the world of Renaissance Italy and the powerful family that helped shape it. Strathern's evocative prose and meticulous attention to detail make this book essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Italy, the Renaissance, or the Medici family in particular.
