By 1400, Florence was the wealthiest city in Italy, with a population of over 100,000. Its wealth came initially from the wool trade and later from banking. Florentines were very proud of their city and were willing to spend lavishly on works of art to decorate their city.
Florence was a republic, but most of the power in the city lay in the hands of the de Medici family. They owned the largest bank in the city and used their money to ensure that the men who ran the city did what they wanted. They tried to ensure that Florence remained at peace with its neighbours, as peace was good for trade and business. They were very important patrons, especially Cosimo de Medici (1389–1464) and his grandson Lorenzo (1449–1492). They sponsored artists and architects, opened schools for the study of Roman and Greek manuscripts and established an academy for sculptors in their own palace.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lorenzo de Medici spent so much on sponsoring artists that he nearly bankrupted the family bank!
A Renaissance painting of Florence
PATRON’S DEN! Imagine your group has to get a patron’s support for a work of art or project. Make a presentation to the class (or another group) and explain why the patron should support your application. Include items like your experience, examples of your previous work, how you will go about the work and why it is in the patron’s best interests to give you their money.
CHECKPOINT!
1. What does Renaissance mean? 2. Explain the term humanism. 3. List the reasons why the Renaissance began in Italy. 4. What was a patron? Give an example of one from the Renaissance.
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5. Look at the list of reasons why the Renaissance originated in Italy. Which of them do you think was the most important? Give reasons for your answer. I can explain the causes of the Renaissance.
