Week Two: The Renaissance and the Power of the Medicis

In the years following the black plague a new period began that pulled humanity from its dark middle ages. The Renaissance completely shifted the culture of western civilization from its god and church fearing mindset to a new logical and nostalgic mentality that wished to bring back the achievements and knowledge of the classical era that had been forgotten throughout the middle ages. In Florence, Italy this movement was catalyzed by the power of wealthy merchant families acting as patrons of the arts: People who would sponsor certain individuals to pursue a profession. One family in particular stood out as a powerful patron and as the most powerful family in Italy at the time. This family was called the Medici. The ideas from this era that served as most interesting to me was this idea of patronage and the way it helped both society and the family serving as a patron.

The Medici served as patrons to numerous craftsman and artists throughout Florence. By acting as patrons they were able to increase their honor and assist in progressing the arts. One example of a craftsman the Medici were patrons of is Brunelleschi. This architectural genius was obsessed with the genius of roman architecture, in particular the pantheon. By the medici's patronage Brunelleschi was able to design and construct a dome for the unfinished cathedral of florence and by doing so created a wonder of architecture by building the largest unsupported dome in the world and increased the honor of the Medici family by having completed the centerpiece of Florence's city. This relationship between patron and artist repeated itself throughout the renaissance. A patron would sponsor an artist who would then have the money and time to perfect his craft and innovate, which would then create innovative new techniques, which would bring honor to the patron family. It was this mutually beneficial relationship that ultimately created the great rebirth in art and knowledge that came to be known as the Renaissance.