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

• 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

Interior

• 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

Evolution

Medici FamilyBackground:

• 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