Lorenzo di Piero de Medici (Lorenzo di Piero de Medici) - entered the history of Italy under the name Magnificent (il Magnifico), which largely explains the important role that this outstanding statesman played in the economic, political and cultural life of the country.
Family
Lorenzo came from the powerful Medici clan and was the grandson of Cosimo di Giovanni de 'Medici, the founder of the dynasty, known as a successful banker, politician and possessor of the largest fortune in Europe.
The future politician was born in 1449 in the family of Piero I (Piero di Cosimo de 'Medici) and Lucrezia Tornabuoni (Lucrezia Tornabuoni), daughter of the famous merchant. His father did not have brilliant abilities to conduct public affairs and was notable for poor health, for which he received the nickname Podagrik (il Gottoso). Pierrot I was in power for a short time (1464-1469) and died when Lorenzo turned 20, passing the unspoken reins of government of the Florentine Republic to his young son.
The wise and judicious Lucretia Tornabuoni did not shine with external beauty, while she was a well-educated and religious woman, she always showed great interest in public life, charity and enjoyed unshakable authority in the family. Lucretia was in charge of the financial affairs of the Medici house and was Lorenzo's chief adviser on any issues.
The younger brother, Giuliano de 'Medici, was killed at the age of 25 as a result of a conspiracy staged by Florentine patricians and their supporters. He helped Lorenzo in all his endeavors, trying to be a faithful friend and helper.
Parenting and education
The descendant of the influential Medici clan received a brilliant education and became one of the most enlightened people of this era. As a child, he showed a keen mind, extraordinary abilities and talents for many sciences. Lorenzo was fluent in foreign languages, including Greek and Latin, perfectly knew literature, philosophy, literature, had a poetic gift, knew how to play several musical instruments. Mentors and teachers of the youth, who later became his real friends, were the renowned humanists of the Renaissance:
- connoisseur of ancient Greek literature and philosophy, John Argiropulo (Giovanni Argiropulo);
- thinker, philologist, teacher of poetry and rhetoric Cristoforo Landino (Cristoforo Landino);
- philosopher and astrologer Marsilio Ficino (Marsilio Ficino);
- playwright and poet Angelo Ambrogini (Angelo Ambrogini detto Poliziano).
From an early age, Lorenzo traveled a lot and thanks to the efforts of Cosimo the Old, who saw his future grandson as a grandson, he successfully learned the intricacies of political affairs. So, for example, already at the age of 15 he was entering the yards of the heads of European powers, and on behalf of his father carried out important diplomatic missions.
Marriage and love
The girl was distinguished by beauty, modesty and piety, but the union, in which later three sons and four daughters were born, was not happy. Clarice did not share her husband’s interests in music, poetry and art, she was sickened by a lively and vibrant life in Florence, and most of the time she was with her children in one of the suburban villas in Cafaggiolo (villa Medici di Cafaggiolo). The wife of Lorenzo died at the age of 37 from tuberculosis.
The only love and muse of the ruler of the republic was one of the first beauties of Florence, Lucrezia Donati.
Lorenzo passionately fell in love with her as a 16-year-old youth, and retained this tender feeling for many years, singing the lady of the heart in verse. In his gentle sonnets, he called his beloved a goddess, compared her with the Madonna, but membership in the powerful Medici dynasty did not allow him to marry for love. Moreover, Lucretius herself was married, and according to contemporaries, she remained faithful to her husband.
Board Features
Lorenzo the Magnificent was in power for over 20 years. The time of his reign became for the Florentine Republic a period of peace, stability and prosperity. Good neighborly relations were established with Milan and Naples. Thanks to the capital of the Medici family, the fine art of diplomacy and a wide network of informant agents, great successes were achieved in foreign policy. Not having a powerful army, Florence gained significant authority in Italy.
The state supported the poor. Peasants were exempted from paying heavy duties to the feudal lords. The absence of excessive taxation contributed to the development of agriculture and handicrafts. The popularity of Lorenzo among the people has reached unprecedented heights.
For some time, the constitution and the main institutions of power were preserved in the Florentine Republic, but all of them were formal. The system of government more and more acquired the features of a sole and absolute monarchy. Moreover, any rebellions, conspiracies and attempts to eliminate the Medici clan met with ruthless rebuff.
In 1480, to strengthen power, Lorenzo introduced several reforms: the old parliament was dissolved and the Council of the Seventy was formed - a legislative and executive governing body formed from allies and supporters of the Medici family. Two colleges on foreign policy and financial and legal issues were under the control of the ruler of the republic.
Not a single decision regarding domestic or foreign policy was made without the participation and approval of Lorenzo. Even marriages between powerful citizens were agreed with him. At the same time, important posts could be occupied by people who did not belong to the upper class, but who possessed certain managerial talents. It is noteworthy that one of the most prominent representatives of the Medici dynasty was not titled: officially, Lorenzo did not have public titles or leadership positions, although at any moment he could declare himself king or duke.
Florence in the era of Lorenzo Medici
During the years of Lorenzo the Great’s rule in power, the blooming Florence (this is how the name of the city is translated from Italian) began to play with the brightest colors. New buildings and roads were erected, streets were ennobled. In 1489, a decree was issued on significant tax benefits for those involved in construction. Life in the city was in full swing: lush festivities, knightly tournaments, carnivals, masquerades and theatrical productions were constantly held.
Lorenzo the Great, like his famous grandfather Cosimo Medici, was a generous philanthropist, collector of books and valuable works of art. He invited talented artists and sculptors, provided them with profitable orders and provided decent working conditions. The ruler of the Florentine Republic patronized many geniuses of the Renaissance. Here are just a few of them:
- Sandro Botticelli
- Michelangelo Buonarroti (Michelangelo di Buonarroti);
- Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci);
- Andrea del Verrocchio;
- Domenico Ghirlandaio (Domenico Ghirlandaio).
Lorenzo added to the family collection of books and founded the first public library in Europe, which included then more than ten thousand valuable copies. She was later named after him Laurenziana (biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana). Today, the library has approximately 150 thousand print publications, as well as 11 thousand manuscripts and more than 2 thousand papyri.
In 1472, Lorenzo, a subtle connoisseur of fine literature, transformed a decaying school in Pisa into the first Tuscan university. Thanks to his efforts, a similar educational institution was also opened in Florence. At that time, it was the only training center in Europe where Greek was taught.
The last years of life and death
Lorenzo the Great lived a bright, eventful, but short-lived life: he died early, at the age of 43, suffering from a serious illness of gout inherited from his father. The extravagance of the uncrowned monarch and the heedlessness of the financial affairs of the Medici house led to sad consequences. In addition, the family bank credited the heads and influential persons of large European states who were in no hurry to pay off debts. Excessive spending from personal funds and the state treasury forced to raise taxes, which by the end of the reign of Lorenzo more than tripled. Ordinary citizens showed discontent, but it did not reach open revolts. In 1492, when one of the most prominent representatives of the Medici clan passed away, all the inhabitants of Florence took to the streets to say goodbye to their beloved ruler.
Where is the tomb
Lorenzo, like Giuliano, was buried in the memorial chapel of the Basilica of St. Lawrence (basilica di San Lorenzo). In the 20-30 years of the XVI century, the sarcophagi of the brothers were decorated with marble statues made by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The idea of decorating the tombs is based on a deep allegory.
The renowned rulers of Florence are represented in the form of antique commanders, on both sides of which are figures symbolizing day and night (at the sarcophagus Giuliano) and morning and evening (on both sides of the tomb of Lorenzo) - a reminder of the transience and ruthlessness of time.
Images in the painting
Several works of Italian masters with the image of Lorenzo the Magnificent have survived to this day. The most famous is the painting by the famous architect, artist and historian Giorgio Vasari, written in the 30s of the XVI century, commissioned by Alessandro di Medici (Alessandro di Lorenzo de 'Medici).
In the portrait, Lorenzo is depicted tired, he sits with his head bowed, lost in thought, his gaze pensive and focused. You can see this famous canvas in the Uffizi Gallery, which we recommend visiting with an individual professional guide.
It is noteworthy that all the paintings depicting one of the most prominent representatives of the Medici clan were painted posthumously.
It is believed that artists, working on canvases, used a bas-relief sculpture created by Andrea del Verrocchio, a friend and beloved master of Lorenzo, for reference and exact portrait similarity.
The series Magnificent Medici
In contemporary art, the image of Lorenzo and other representatives of the famous Florentine dynasty is vividly and in detail presented in the cinema, in the multi-part film Medici: The Magnificent. The historical drama was released in 2018 and won the hearts of millions of viewers. British and Italian filmmakers worked on the project. The role of Lorenzo is played by English actor Daniel Sharman.
