Details

ONLINE ART HISTORY COURSE
“Medici Patronage in the 15th Century”

Course Description:

From their insignificant medieval origins to their role as bankers to Europe’s most important rulers, this course will examine the meteoric rise to power and artistic legacy of the most famous family of the Renaissance – the Medici. We shall also explore how the art and architecture of the early Renaissance became the visual geopolitical language of the Medici – which was clearly a language of power. Artists such as Donatello, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, and Michelangelo all developed under and enjoyed Medici largesse. This course will focus on the patronage, political influence and artistic tastes of the four most important Medici men of the 15^thcentury: Giovanni di Bicci, Cosimo “the Elder,” Piero “the Gouty,” and Lorenzo “il Magnifico.”

Course Objectives:

• To bring a historical period to life through a “hands on” approach to the works of art produced through the patronage of the Medici family.
• To understand the role that the historical context of 15th-century Florence had on this extraordinary period of artistic production.
• To learn and appreciate the rich and influential aspects of early Renaissance Italian art in Florence in the 15th century.
• To develop the fundamental skills of art historical analysis that include formal analysis and iconographic interpretation.
• To develop an ability to interact in a personal and intimate manner with works of art and their surroundings.

Virtual Classroom: Full access to an online educational platform with videos of recordings and syllabus.

Credits: Certificate of Completion

Location: LIVE INTERACTIVE ON-LINE ART HISTORY LECTURES

Optional Readings:
Information will be provided 2 weeks before the start of the course.

Complete syllabus will be provided 2 weeks before the start of the course.

• ALL LECTURES WILL BE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT YOUR CONVENIENCE IN OUR VIDEO LIBRARY FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER THE COURSE HAS ENDED.

Schedule

LECTURE 1 – Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici – Patriarch and Peacekeeper  

-Wednesday, September 4:

Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici is considered the patriarch of the Medici family that we celebrate today. It was Giovanni who founded the Medici bank in Florence in 1397 and who set the tone for Medici patronage for almost the entire 15th century. This lecture will explore Giovanni’s rise to preeminence in Florence as well as his grass roots philosophy of patronage.

LECTURE 2 – Cosimo “the Elder” de’ Medici – The Pater Patriae (“Father of the Fatherland”) 

-Wednesday, September 11:

According to the famous political theorist, Niccolò Machiavelli, “Those who rejoiced at Giovanni’s (di Bicci) death, now regretted it, perceiving what manner of man Cosimo was.”

Described as the greatest political boss in the history of political boss-ship, Cosimo – son of Giovanni – consolidated and improved the position of the Medici both in Florence and abroad. But his rise to power was not without a few major hiccups, including his arrest and exile. Ultimately, Cosimo would triumph over his enemies and be named the “Pater Patriae” (“Father of the Homeland”) of Florence.

LECTURE  3 – Piero “the Gouty” de’ Medici – Sowing the Seeds of Dynasty 

-Wednesday, September 18:

With the death of Cosimo in 1464, his son Piero took over the family. Known as “the Gouty” because he was often bed-ridden by the condition, he was not as celebrated as his father (Cosimo) or son (Lorenzo). But he did successfully remain at the helm of the family for 5 years and put down a coup in 1458 led by ally-turned-foe, Luca Pitti. Piero was married to an extraordinary woman named Lucrezia Tornabuoni, who was as talented a poet as she was a stateswoman. Piero’s greatest artistic legacy was the commissioning of the extraordinary Chapel of the Magi inside of the Medici Palace.

LECTURE  4 – Lorenzo “il Magnifico” de’ Medici – A Prince all but in name 

-Wednesday, September 25:

When Piero passed in 1469, his 20-year-old son Lorenzo took over the family. Known as “il Magnifico”, Lorenzo embodied the ideal Renaissance man. Poet, statesman, soldier, and philosopher, he successfully navigated the murky waters of Renaissance politics and narrowly avoided an assassination attempt in 1478 known as the Pazzi Conspiracy, which also involved Pope Sixtus IV and the Duke of Urbino. Lorenzo used this extreme act of violence to justify his excessive measures of control over Florence to protect it from external forces. In 1489, his 14-year-old- son Giovanni was elevated to the rank of Cardinal and later went on to become Pope Leo X, which proved to be the most crucial event in the history of the Medici family.