1. The Medici Family
The Medici were a powerful and influential Renaissance family in Florence (Italy) who excelled as patrons, sponsoring artists and scientists of their time. Among its important members are:
- Two queens of France (Catalina de Médici and María de Médici).
- Two popes: Leo X and Clement VII (according to one of the still alive descendants of this family, Pius IV, whose original surname was Medicino, changed it to Medici because it seemed prestigious to him).
It should be noted that the power of this family spread through Europe and emerged from banking. Being Banca Medici was one of the most prosperous and respected banks in the continent. With this base, they acquired political power, being its strong point the patronage of art.
All the members of the Medici family had their own art collection, and that distinguished them from other families of patrons.
2. Lorenzo di Medici
Lorenzo di Medici also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, was born on January 1st, 1449 in Florence (Italy).
He was ruler (Prince) of the Republic of Florence during the Renaissance period. In addition, he was patron of the arts and banker (like his family), diplomat, poet and philosopher.
Among his attributes stood out his political talent, because under his government Florence was not only the center of the european artistic and cultural world, he also resolved state affairs diplomatically, maintaining the peace of his territory.
As an important note, it is necessary to emphasize that Lorenzo's patronage was not so much to finance works, but to send the most outstanding artists of Florence (Botticelli to Rome, Maiano to Naples, Sansovino to Lisbon, Verrocchio to Venice, for example) to different courts, where his taste and criteria were highly valued.
