House of Medici

Sandro Botticelli 's Primavera is one of the most famous Renaissance paintings. Created in 1482 and sometimes called the Allegory of Spring, the Primavera, Italian for spring, was commissioned by the Medici family. Symbolism is everywhere and often it sparks controversy over the true meaning of a work. The complexity and beauty incorporated compel the viewer to enter Venus’s Garden and become a part of the narrative. Many interpretations and representations of the figures are debated among…

The project of the dome began as many human endeavors begin: someone wanted to do something to show that they were the best. In typical human fashion, the fathers of Florence, Italy had decided that Florence would be the best and most advanced city around. They wanted to beat out their rivals in Milan to be the best that Europe had to offer. How would they do this? By building a cathedral with a stunning dome; something that had never been done before. But, they soon ran into a problem: they had…

According to Dr. E.L.Knox, a former history professor at Boise State University, neither the Catholics nor the Huguenots were prepared for war, so peace from the war was settled a year later in March of 1668. However, little time had passed before another conflict arose. The Cardinal of Lorraine attempted to kidnap two allies of the Huguenots, The Prince of Condé and Odet de Coligny, a French aristocrat, and this action started the Third War of Religion.The Huguenots lost the two major battles…

In the 15th century, The Medici Family became “Europe’s greatest banking dynasty.” Once wealthy textile merchants, the Medici Family used their wealth to become dukes of Florence and eventually held positions of four popes and two French regents. In 1397, the family established a financial institution called The Medici Bank, which became the largest bank in Europe. Furthermore, the Medici introduced the idea of lending and as Ferguson argues, the “decentralization of their lending and reaching…

Catherine de Medici was the queen of France from 1547 to 1559. She was the wife of King Henri II and the mother of ten children, most notably King Francis II, King Charles IX, and King Henry III. Catherine is perhaps best known for serving as Queen Regent to her son Charles, during which time she orchestrated the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, but her influence also extended into more cultural achievements, like bringing high heels and ballet dancing to France. Catherine de Medici had a…

History of Dolce & Gabbana Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are two Italian born artist that begin the Dolce & Gabbana empire we know today. Through groundbreaking achievements and outwardly approach to the taboos of society, these two men established what sex, glam and fashion had in common, the people. In the early 1980s two colleagues turned partners created a brand that represented their lifestyles while including and rooting for the outcasts of society. The two men worked with one…

book was being written. Machiavelli was a bureaucrat under the Republican government before he lost his job to the supporters of Medici during 1512. At the end of 1513 or even the early 1514, the time period when Nicolo Machiavelli, wrote The Prince. During that time period, Machiavelli was seeking to regain his status in the Florentine government. Meanwhile, the Medici family had been driven from power in Florentine. In addition, during the time period when this book was written, Italy was…

Milan is a large, wealthy city in Northern Italy. The Sforza family have long held power in the city. While in 1499 troops serving Louis XII of France sought to take Milan, the Sforza triumphed in preserving their hold. Preternatural blood flows through the Sforza family's veins, and there are rumors of dragons or demons lurking in their lineage. Numerous intermarriages between the Sforza's and other influential families have taken place, assuring the spread of the family's influence throughout…

In the 15th century, the Medici family ruled over Florence. They were a family of bankers and merchants who rose to power due to their enormous wealth. They were also influential in the art community by being patrons of artists such as Donatello and Michelangelo. Their interest in humanism would have them seek out artists to paint or sculpt classical figures such as Venus from Roman mythology or David from the Bible. They would also help with funding the construction of the Florence…

Renaissance, specifically in Italy in the fifteenth century, the focus on Greek and Roman mythology was revived (Grissom). Also, the Medici family, who was the ruler of Florence, Italy, commissioned work in order to display and solidify “their fame and political power” (Grissom). As a result, there are quite a few pieces that were made to celebrate and give good luck to the Medici. These characteristics are completely different in the 20th century. During the 20th Century, there is a sense of…