Piero di Cosimo

work of art One member of this family was Cosimo de’ Medici. Cosimo embraced the very essence of what humanism is. Humanism embraces the arts and literature from cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome. Cosimo made sure that he was constantly around humanists. He sought their advice as to what books and art that he should get from the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome. Then, he would go find the books and art and bring it back to Florence (Sayre 473). Cosimo paid to complete and decorate the…

was a family of merchants who were very important bankers and gained the account of the Roman Catholic Church. At that time the Church was the most important organization in Italy so this account was a major advantage against their many rivals. Soon Cosimo de Medici took control over florence and lead a long legacy of rule. The Medici family were huge patrons of the arts and decorated their…

Cosimo skillfully manipulated Florence’s political organization to his family’s benefit. Cosimo never absorbs an official position as head of state, but, decided to remain a private citizen and run the business behind the scenes. It was beneficial for the family, having said that, he ruined his enemies while managing the affairs. “In 1433, Cosimo was arrested by those who opposed him, having been accused of attacking Florentine freedom”(“The Medici Family”). In due course, Cosimo was driven…

The sculpture was first placed at the old cathedral façade. It now requires a seat at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.He did a lot of working in his lifetime.A sculptor who revolutionized the art in Florence during the early Renaissance. Born as Donato di Niccolo Bardi, he was an apprentice in the workshop of Lorenzo Ghiberti, and attended Ghiberti making the very famous bronze doors of the Baptistry of Florence.He was one of the most bestest Florentine sculptors alive. He lived mostly in…

silent rulers of their hometown after the realization that money does lead to power. The Medici became stronger as their bank grew all over Europe. They started to make their way into Rome and the Papacy where several Medici became cardinals and Popes. Cosimo de Medici was responsible for the start of the Humanism movement and the commission of several magnificent art pieces, all due to the Medici Bank and the immense wealth and power that they were able to gain from its success. The bank was…

“O human race born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou fall.” With his allegorical writing style, Dante Alighieri revolutionized literature in the renaissance period with masterpieces such as Dante’s Inferno. Dante Alighieri was born on May 21, 1265 in Florence, Italy. He was born to a wealthier family and had a good education as he learn poetry, philosophy, and many other literature skills he used in his writing. From the outside, his life looked perfect though his mother…

The Renaissance lasted from the 14th to the 17th century (Frey 315). This period is known for its flourishing art, philosophy, and literature. During this time, there was a growing class of rich merchants who spent large amounts of money patronizing artists, the most famous of which are the Medici (Frey 315). Events like the Great Schism and the Reformation weakened the Catholic Church (Jensen 193) which had been the center of life in the Medieval era (Frey 31). The Medici Family had more…

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Although Saint Aloysius Gonzaga has passed, his influence, story, and legacy will not be forgotten. Aloysius Gonzaga was born on March 9th, 1568. He was born in Italy to a family of power. Throughout Gonzaga’s life he endured major sickness, a conversion to the Jesuits, and a death caused by disease. Saint Gonzaga’s legacy has been remembered to this day through the naming of numerous schools and a university (“Society of Jesus”). Although his life was cut short by…

The Renaissance was a period in Europe, from the 14th to the 17th century, which was widely regarded as a cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern times. It started as a cultural movement in Italy, and though this cultural movement of extravagant arts and political ideals many Italian city states and merchant families began to internally compete with each other in a cyclical trend of showman ship. This showmanship was intended to project the ideas of cultural superiority upon…

Florence was one of the five major city states that rose as a result of the “Dark Age” and black plague. After this, the guild system was rarely used and wealthy, powerful families began to rule (which in Florence was the Medici family). Florence played a major role in the Renaissance because it encouraged and promoted art and culture; it became the center for literature and art and supported those writers and artists affluently. Patrons were the largest supporters for scholars, writers, and…