The Medici Family: Its Central Role in Renaissance Art

Commissioning art during the Renaissance era was a status symbol of sorts, the payoff being prestige and show of wealth. Therefore, commissioning art was common among the merchant classes and somewhat competitive.

The Medici family managed to become the chief patrons of the era, going from merchant class to bankers and eventually politicians. Their goal seeming to be not just acquisition and prestige but actual influence.

If there is any question as to whether the Medici were hugely responsible for the Renaissance and the work produced during that time, one has only to look to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. The Uffizi Gallery houses and displays one of the greatest collections of Early and High Renaissance art in the world - and most of that collection is what was owned and commissioned by the Medici.

The Medici used their wealth not only to build more wealth but to build prestige and exercise power and influence as well. They grew heavily into politics, ruling Florence for more than a century. And they used much of their power to help the poorer citizens and to encourage artists to flourish and produce greater and greater work.

Artists would be commissioned for years at a time. Their paintings were not just bought, but their supplies paid for, and they were encouraged to study. Michaelangelo was a great favorite.

The family was also a patron of Galileo by hiring him to tutor their children, more than one generation, over the years. Galileo named the four largest moons of Jupiter after Medici children.

Their patronage of architects rounds out this family's far-reaching effects on Florence, the arts, history and event the world today. Many of Florence's most recognizable buildings and features exist because of the influence of the Medici family.