LORENZO DE MEDICI (1449-492)

 

Often referrred to as "The Magnificent", Lorenzo de Medici was a poet, political statesman, patron of the arts and a humanist. Reputed to be brutal in his leadership, he governed Florence at its height of influence during the Italian Renaissance.

 

Lorenzo was a great patron of the arts. He was a well-respected poet of his time, although modern scholars tend to consider his work stereotypical of the period rather than innovative. He collected art pieces himself, being most especially interested in ancient manuscripts. Artists under his tutelage and monetary influence included Botticelli, Verrochio and his pupil Leonardo. He also took into his household a young then-unknown talent by the name of Michelangelo, whom he treated as a son. He had a great respect for talent of any sort.

 

Perfection in all things was his guiding principle. He firmly believed that excellence in any endeavor was in itself an acceptable goal. His political and business dealings are good examples. Following the philosophy made popular by Machiavelli, he was ruthless in his interaction with other people, often striking brutally against a rival at first confrontation. This enabled him to be hugely successful and widely feared, while simultaneously admired. After a rival banking family (under the auspices of Pope Sixtus IV) attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow him by assassination in an incident called the "Pazzi conspiracy", Lorenzo had more than 70 men killed. He then used his charm and wisdom to restore peace.

 

Like most of the members of the Medici family, Lorenzo was extremely well-connected. Many of his associates were contemporary intellectuals. He formed a group called the Platonic Academy, supposedly a 15th Century version of a "think tank". In reality it was a gathering of friends with common interests, including Pico della Mirandola. In addition, his daughter married the son of Pope Innocent VIII (son was born before entering the clergy) and his son was to become Pope Leo X. His association with the Dominican monk Savanarola was troubled, particularly given that the monk took every possible chance to denounce as heretical the life style of the Medicis.

 

As is typical of his time, de Medici used his power to promote his family as well, and sometimes at the expense of, the city of Florence. Self-promotion was common. Nonetheless, he was a well-loved leader and maintained a strong following in Florence.