Download Slideshow on the Medici family and Palazzo Vecchio

The Medici Family and
Palazzo Vecchio
Florence
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio
• Originally called the Palazzo della Signoria after the ruling
body of the Republic of Florence
• Commissioned around 1300 because the people of
Florence wanted a grand palace
• Architect was Arnolfo di Cambio
• Built upon the ruins of two older Palazzos
• Kept existing tower which made it asymmetrical
Architecture
• The Palazzo is a cubical building that is made entirely out of
stone
• Has two rows of Gothic windows and a set of decorative
arches that are painted with the nine coats of arms of the
Florentine Republic
• Above the entrance to the palace is ornamental marble
flanked by two gilded lions
• Michelangelo’s David (replica) and Baccio Bandenelli’s
Hercules and Cacus stand by the entrance as well
Interior
• The palace contains three courtyards and many ornate
rooms
• The rooms were originally built to house the work of the
Signoria, but many evolved over time
• Rooms either named for their use or the artwork that is
found there
• Terrace of the Sun, The Hercules Room, The Lion
House
• Also has a chapel: Chapel of the Signoria
Evolution
• Became Palazzo when Duke Cosimo I
de’Medici moved his family into it
• Since 1872 the office of the mayor of
Florence has been housed here, along
with the city council
Background:
Medici Family
• Originally from an agricultural region in the north of
Florence
• Connected to elite Florentines through marriages and
partnerships
• Began there rise to power through the wool trade
Rise To Power
• Giovanni Di Bicci de’Medici founded the Medici
bank, and consequently became one of the richest
men in Florence
• Medici’s were innovators in financial accounting
-Invented the ledger
• Created the florin(currency) which at one point was
used throughout Europe as the preferred currency
• Came to manage most of the great fortunes in
Europe
Power
• Giovanni’s son took over the family business in 1434
• Cosimo, Piero, and Lorenzo controlled Florence without
abolishing the representative government
• Strongest rulers in the family
• Fought over power with the Albizzi family Took turns exiling
each other
• The Medicis controlled the Papacy while in power
Contributions To The Renaissance:
• Sponsored a many art works and architecture during the High Renaissance
• Brunelleschi, Donatello, Fra Angelico
• Lorenzo was the greatest patron in the family
• Took in Michelangelo and served as a patron to Leonardo da Vinci
• Public Works:
• Brunelleschi’s Dome
• Rebuilding of the San Lorenzo Parish
• Lorenzo’s salons and art school
• Private Works
• Medici Palace
• David by Donatello
• Family Tombs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBlGkTTol9E&feature=player_detailpage