Download The Magnificent Medici 1) Identify specific influences of Anci

John Sybel
Alex Rosenberg
Eric Frielink
Steffan Kaefer
Program 2: The Magnificent Medici
1) Identify specific influences of Ancient Greco-Roman values on Renaissance Art.
Ancient Greco-Roman art influenced the Renaissance in many ways. The
Renaissance was a rebirth of art from the ancient world. The classical beliefs were being
put back into the culture of the people. The Greco-Roman art influenced how the dome of
the cathedral was built. Brunelleschi looked to the ancient world to find out how to build
a dome that could fit over the cathedral. Michelangelo created sculptures of people
displaying the values of the Greco-Roman world. Buildings began to take the form of
ancient buildings. Columns were used for support once again, instead of just for design.
2) Identify Lorenzo’s contribution to the flourishing of Renaissance art.
Lorenzo, like the Medici before him, was a great patron of the arts. He would look
for artists with great talent and fund them. One of these artists was Michelangelo..
Michelangelo was considered the greatest artist of the time period and Lorenzo funded
him. This brought great political power to the Medici.
3) On his death bed, Lorenzo sought absolution for his lifetime sins from Savonarola.
What does that tell you about the extent of his secularism and the power of the Christian
Faith? Why do you think Botticelli’s artistic focus became more religious?
Lorenzo acted as though he was not very religious. He tried not to let it interfere
with his ruling and the arts. But deep down he probably believed in God and the Christian
faith. The Christian faith at this time period was very intimidating. If you committed sins
and did not receive forgiveness, you were cast down into Hell to suffer for eternity.
Botticelli’s paintings most likely became more religious because he was afraid of
the going to Hell. If he continued painting the controversial paintings, it would be
considered a sin and he would be damned.
4) What was the reaction among religious “conservatives” to the type of art, sculpture,
and lifestyle that was promoted by the Medicis?
Many religious people thought the art promoted by the Medicis was very sinful, it
was heretical to them. It just offended them to the core. Many religious conservatives
wanted to burn all of the works and exile the Medicis.
5) Discuss what Savonarola and his followers did to try to destroy the secularism of the
Renaissance.
They scared people into believing the Christian faith. Savonarola’s followers went
around beating people who disagreed, they also stole any of their jewelry and art that they
owned. They also started public book burnings.
6) In what other periods of history or in what other societies have we witnessed book
burnings and attempts to establish “heaven on earth”, whether secular or religious?
We have witnessed book burnings in a few different societies. Some of them
include:
-Nazi Germany
-The “communist books” by McCarthy
-In Russia, books that were deemed anti-communist