Medici
|
The Medici coat of arms (the Papal coat of arms of Leo XI, a Medici Pope) |
The
Medici family was a powerful and influential
Florentine family from the
13th to
17th century. The family produced three
popes (
Leo X,
Clement VII, and
Leo XI), numerous rulers of Florence, and later members of the
French and
English royalty. The family also helped to spur the beginning of the
Italian Renaissance.
From humble beginnings (the origin of the name is uncertain, it allegedly reflects a medical trade -
medico), the family first achieved power through
banking. The
Medici Bank was one of the most prosperous and most respected in Europe. There are some estimates that the Medici family was for a period of time the wealthiest family in Europe. From this base, the family acquired
political power initially in Florence, and later in the wider Italy and Europe. A notable contribution to the profession of
accounting was the improvement of the general ledger system through the development of the
double entry system of tracking credits and debits. This system was first used by accountants working for the Medici family in Florence.
Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici was the first Medici to enter banking, and while he became influential in Florentine government, it was not until his son
Cosimo the Elder took over that in
1434 as
gran maestro that the Medici became unofficial head of state of the Florentine republic. The "senior" branch of the family — those descended from Cosimo the Elder — ruled until the assassination of
Alessandro de' Medici, first
Duke of Florence, in
1537. This century-long rule was only interrupted on two occasions (between 1494-1512 and 1527-1530), when popular revolts sent the Medici into exile. Power then passed to the "junior" branch — those descended from
Lorenzo the Elder, younger son of Giovanni de Bicci, starting with his great-great-grandson
Cosimo I the Great. The Medici's rise to power was chronicled in detail by
Benedetto Dei.
The most significant accomplishments of the Medici were in the sponsorship of
art and
architecture, within which the portfolio of talent employed by Medici is a virtual "Who's Who?" of Renaissance art and architecture. Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici, the first patron of the arts in the family, aided
Masaccio and ordered the reconstruction of the
Church of San Lorenzo.
Cosimo the Elder's notable artistic associates were
Donatello and
Fra Angelico. The most significant addition to the list over the years was
Michelangelo, who produced work for a number of Medici, beginning with
Lorenzo the Magnificent. In addition to commissions for art and architecture, the Medici were prolific collectors and today their acquisitions form the core of the
Uffizi museum in Florence.
In
architecture, the Medici are responsible for some notable features of Florence; including the
Uffizi Gallery, the
Pitti Palace, the
Boboli Gardens, the
Belvedere, and the
Palazzo Medici.
Although none of the Medici themselves were scientists, the family is well known to have been the patrons of the famous
Galileo.
Galileo tutored multiple generations of Medici children, and was an important figurehead for his patron's quest for power. Galileo's patronage was eventually abandoned by Ferdinando II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, when the
Roman Inquisition accused the great scientist of heresy. However, the Medici family did afford Galileo a safe haven from those seeking his demise. Galileo did name the four largest moons of
Jupiter after four Medici children that he tutored.
*Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici personally commissioned
Brunelleschi to reconstruct the
Church of San Lorenzo in
1419.
*Cosimo the Elder also commissioned
Brunelleschi to finish the uncompleted dome of
Santa Maria del Fiore. The dome, the largest in the world at that time, was finished in
1436.
*Eleonora of Toledo, princess of Spain and wife of Cosimo I the Great, purchased Pitti Palace from
Buonaccorso Pitti in
1550.
*Cosimo I the Great patronized
Vasari who erected the Uffizi Gallery in
1560 and founded the
Academy of Design in
1562.
*
Marie de Medici, widow of
Henri IV and mother of
Louis XIII, is used by
Peter Paul Rubens in
1622-
23 as the subject in his oil painting
Marie de' Medici, Queen of France, Landing in Marseilles.
*
Salvestro de' Medici (1331–1388), led the assault against the revolt of the
ciompi, became dictator of Florence, and banished in
1382*
Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (1360–1429), restored the family fortune and made the Medici family the wealthiest in Europe
*
Cosimo the Elder (1389–1464), founder of the Medici political dynasty
*
Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492), leader of
Florence during the Golden Age of the
Renaissance*
Giovanni de' Medici (1475–1523), also known as Pope Leo X
*
Giulio de' Medici (1478–1534), also known as Pope Clement VII
*
Cosimo I the Great (1519–1574), First Grand Duke of Tuscany who restored the Medici lustre
*
Catherine de' Medici (1519–1589), Queen of
France*
Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici (1535–1605), also known as Pope Leo XI
*
Marie de' Medici (1573–1642), Queen and Regent of
France*
Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici (1667–1743) the last of the Medici line
Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (1360–1429)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Antonio de' Medici (?–1398)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Damian de' Medici (1389–1390)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Cosimo de' Medici (the Elder) (1389–1464)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Piero I de' Medici (the Gouty) (1416–1469), Lord of
Florence â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Lorenzo de' Medici (the Magnificent) (1449–1492), Lord of Florence
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Lucrezia de' Medici (1470–1550)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€Maria Salviati (1499–1543), wife of Giovanni dalle bande nere (see below)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€Francesca Salviati
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici (1535–1605), Pope Leo XI
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Piero II de' Medici (the Unfortunate) (1471–1503), Lord of Florence
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Lorenzo II de' Medici (1492–1519), Duke of
Urbino â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Alessandro de' Medici (the Moor) (1510–1537), Duke of Florence
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Giulio de' Medici (ca. 1533–1600)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€Cosimo de' Medici (?–?)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€Angela/Angelica de' Medici (1608–1636)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Giulia de' Medici (ca. 1535–?)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€Caterina Maria Romola di Lorenzo de' Medici (
Catherine de' Medici) (1519–1589), wife of
Henry II of France â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Clarissa de' Medici (
1493–
1528)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Maddalena de' Medici (1473–1528)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici (1475–1521), Pope Leo X
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Giuliano de' Medici (1479–1516),
Duke of Nemours â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Ippolito de' Medici (1511–1535), Cardinal
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Contessina de' Medici (?–1515), wife of Piero Ridolfi
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Giuliano de' Medici (1453–1478)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Giulio de' Medici (1478–1534), Pope Clement VII
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Giovanni de' Medici (1421–1463)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€Cosimo de' Medici (1452–1461)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â""â"€
Carlo de' Medici (1430–1492)
â"‚
â""â"€
Lorenzo de' Medici (the Elder) (1395–1440)
â"‚
â""â"€
Pierfrancesco de' Medici (the Elder) (1431–1476)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Lorenzo the Popolano (1463–1503), Lord of
Piombino â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â""â"€
Pierfrancesco de' Medici (the Younger) (1487–1525)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Laudomia de' Medici (1463-?)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Lorenzino de' Medici (1514–1548) (also called Lorenzaccio)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Giuliano the Medici (ca. 1520–1588), Archbishop of Alby
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â""â"€
Maddalena de' Medici (?–1583)
â"‚
â""â"€
Giovanni the Popolano (1467–1498)
â"‚
â""â"€Lodovico de' Medici (
Giovanni dalle Bande Nere) (1498–1526), the most famous soldier of all the Medici
â"‚
â""â"€
Cosimo I de' Medici (1519–1574), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚
â"œâ"€Bia de' Medici (1537–1542)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Maria de' Medici (1540–1557)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Francesco I de' Medici (1541–1587), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Eleonora de' Medici (1566–1611), wife of
Vincenzo I Gonzaga, duke of Mantua
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Romola de' Medici (1568–1568)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Anna de' Medici (1569–1584)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Isabella de' Medici (1571–1572)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Lucrezia de' Medici (1572–1574)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Marie de' Medici (1573–1642), wife of
Henry IV of France â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Henrietta Maria of France, wife of
Charles I of England â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Charles II of England â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
James II of England â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Mary Henrietta Stuart â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Antonio de' Medici (1576–1621), adopted
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â""â"€Filippo de' Medici (1577–1582)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Isabella de' Medici (1542–1576)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Giovanni de' Medici (1543–1562), bishop of
Pisa and cardinal
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Lucrezia de' Medici (1545–1561), wife (1560) of Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of
Ferrara and
Modena â"‚
â"œâ"€Pietro (Pedricco) de' Medici (1546–1547)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Garzia de' Medici (1547–1562)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Antonio de' Medici (1548–1548)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Ferdinando I de' Medici (1549–1609), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Cosimo II de' Medici (1590–1621), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€Maria Cristina de' Medici (1609–1632)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Ferdinando II de' Medici (1610–1670), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€Cosimo de' Medici (1639–1639)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Cosimo III de' Medici (1642–1723), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Ferdinando III de' Medici (1663–1713)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici (1667–1743)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Gian Gastone de' Medici (1671–1737), Grand duke of Tuscany
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Francesco Maria de' Medici (1660–1711), Cardinal
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Giovanni Carlo de' Medici (Giancarlo) (1611–1663), Bishop of
Sabina, created cardinal in 1644
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Margherita de' Medici (1612–1679), wife (1628) of Odoardo I Farnese, duke of Parma
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Matteo de' Medici (1613–1667)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€Francesco de' Medici (1614–1634)
â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â"œâ"€
Anna de' Medici (1616–1676), wife of archduke
Ferdinand Charles of Austria â"‚ â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"‚ â""â"€
Leopoldo de' Medici (1617–1675), created cardinal in 1667
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Eleonora de' Medici (1591–1617)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Caterina de' Medici (1593–1629), wife of
Ferdinando Gonzaga, duke of
Mantua â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Francesco de' Medici (1594–1614)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Carlo de' Medici (1595–1666)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Filippino de' Medici (1599–1602)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€
Lorenzo de' Medici (1600–1648)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â"œâ"€Maria Maddalena de' Medici (1600–1633)
â"‚ â"‚
â"‚ â""â"€
Claudia de' Medici (1604–1648), wife (1620-1622) of
Federico della Rovere, only son of the duke of â"‚
Urbino, and, later (1626), of archduke
Leopold V of Austria â"‚
â"œâ"€Anna de' Medici (1553–1553)
â"‚
â"œâ"€
Pietro de' Medici (1554–1604)
â"‚
â"œâ"€(Unnamed daughter) (1566–1566)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Giovanni de' Medici (1567–1621)
â"‚
â"œâ"€Vindchi de' Medici (1568–1634)
â"‚
â""â"€
Virginia de' Medici (1568–1615), wife of Cesare d'Este, Duke of Modena
* Christopher Hibbert,
The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall (Morrow, 1975) is a highly readable, non-scholarly general history of the family
* Ferdinand Schevill,
History of Florence: From the Founding of the City Through the Renaissance (Frederick Ungar, 1936) is the standard overall history of Florence
* Paul Strathern,
The Medici - Godfathers of the Renaissance (Pimlico, 2005) is an informative and lively account of the Medici family, their finesse and foibles - extremely readable.
* Lauro Martines, "April Blood - Florence and the Plot Against the Medici" (Oxford University Press 2003) a detailed account of the Pazzi Conspiracy, the players, the politics of the day, and the fallout of the assassination plot . Though accurate in historic details, Martines writes with a definite 'anti-Medici' tone.
* Chacko, Thomas
Without a City Wall Historical novel set in 16th century Europe and South India that provides a detailed description of the assassination of Alessandro de Medici (The Moor)
*
Accounting in Italy* PBS/Justin Hardy,
Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance Four-hour documentary, covering the rise and fall of the family from Giovanni through the abandonment of Galileo by Ferdinand II. Very watchable and informative, available on DVD & Video.
* TLC/Peter Spry-Leverton.PSL,
The Mummy Detectives: The Crypt Of The Medici One-hour documentary. Italian specialists, joined by mummy expert and TLC presenter Dr. Bob Brier exhume the bodies of Italy's ancient first family and use the latest forensic tools to investigate how they lived and died. Airs on Discovery Channel.
*
BBC Radio 4 3 part series
Among the Medici, first episode
22 February 2006, presented by
Bettany Hughes [
2].
*
Outline of the history of the Medici family*
Genealogical manuscript on the house of the Medici*
Genealogical tree of the house of the Medici(German)
*
Galileo and the Medici Family at PBS
