In the thirteenth and fourteenth century, the trade between cities in Europe grew to new heights, which created enormous wealth. The Renaissance occurred through the fourteenth century until the seventeenth century and said to be “a burst of individualism”(3). The most distinct symbols of the Renaissance occurred in Florence where trade and banking are directly linked to the success of the arts during the time period. Many families grew extremely rich and powerful through the trade and banking. The most well know family was the Medici’s, who developed to be the most powerful and most crucial influences of the Renaissance.
The origin of the Medici bank was in Florence, Italy and its locations was one of the biggest contributors to the banks success. Florence was accessible by road for trade or along a river, known as The Arno that connected to the Mediterranean Sea. The cities biggest product that the merchants traded was cloth. Cloth was the cities main product because the factories were able to use the water from the river to run their factories. Florence was connected to the cities of Rome and Pisa by river and roads as well for trade. Both Rome and Pisa are located close to the mouth of The Arno River, a short travel from the Mediterranean Sea making them large trading ports. In comparison to other cities, the wealth and trading routes of Florence made it easy for the bank to run their business.
During this time period, the church acted as a form of government and they
Italy’s strategic location between Eastern and Western Europe allowed it to establish a lucrative Eurasian trade. This allowed the ideals of the Renaissance to gradually spread to Rome and the rest of Europe. The Eurasian trade enabled families to acquire great wealth and this great wealth gave families the ability to become patrons of government, education, and the arts. Becoming a patron of government, education, and the
The Renaissance period was the period that was referred to as the "the rebirth" of Classical culture. During this era, many Italians believed that they observed the rebirth of antiquity or Greco-roman civilization (334). Throughout this time period, the art that came out was similar to the growth that happened in philosophy, literature, music and science. Renaissance art focused more on humans, the accurate portrayal of the natural world as well as the old architecture of the Romans. The Renaissance art was reflected politically because during this time, the cities were ruled by wealthy families. Families such as the Medici family were extremely powerful and influential during this time (335). In their prime days, the Medici family was considered the most influential money lenders and best bank in Europe (335).
Next, the rise of commerce in Renaissance Florence was marked by key alliances and the development of the wool industry in the 13th century. The international banking web used by Dati and Pitti was developed earlier when; “[Florence] took over the papal banking monopoly… and established themselves
The renaissance is defined as the “rebirth” of civilization in Europe from the 14th to 17th centuries (General Characteristics of the Renaissance). A renewed interest of classical world spread from its beginning in Italy, north to Germany and
In Medieval Europe, Venice emerged as the trading center of the Mediterranean. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, merchants flocked here from all corners of the Old World. Venice served as a link from mainland Europe to the Middle East and farther eastward into Asia, and as a result Venetian commerce thrived (Van Brummelen 65). At the forefront of these successes were prominent families who took full advantage of Venice’s economy. Yet these families do not give an accurate representation of the majority of the Venetian population. This was a time of constant warfare in Italy and most of community struggled to make a living (Carroll 1). The question arises, how did changes in Italian culture in the 14th and 15th century allow certain Venetian patricians
The lives of those in renaissance Italy depended greatly on their social class. Their diets, pastimes, clothing where they lived and even down to their family customs depended heavily on their wealth- or lack thereof. This paper serves to analyze these important sections of their lives, comparing and contrasting them to the opposite class.
The people of Renaissance were composed of four social classes, the nobles, the merchants, the tradesmen, and the unskilled workers (M. 2016). Nobles lived on large estates outside the city walls. Nobles controlled and owned most of the city’s land (M. 2016). They served as royal advisers, politicians, and military officers (M. 2016). Nobles gained wealth in industries like wool processing, shipbuilding, and banking (M. 2016). Merchants were often out to protect their wealth by controlling government and marrying into noble families (M. 2016).
(Medici) In the Florentine republic, where economic power was almost synonymous with political power, achieving this financial feat made way for social distinction. (The Medici)
Merchants and bankers were the most socially mobile group in the renaissance. The often started from humble beginnings- as peddlers or craftsmen, for example- and exploited new commercial opportunities to become very wealthy. Once they were rich, they tried to behave like the nobility. Many became patrons and leaders of society (“Social Order” pp.58).
The House of Medici, or the Medici family, was a very influential and extremely powerful family during the time of the Renaissance in Italy. The Renaissance took place starting in the late 14th century. During this time, the people started to take interest in and have an appreciation for the classical times. The beginning of this powerful family really begins with Giovanni di Bicci deˈ Medici. He was born in the year 1360 in Florence, Italy. Originally from the Tuscan hillside, the Medici family immigrated to Florence during the 12th century. Giovanni di Bicci deˈ Medici was the man who really got the family moving. He founded the Medici Bank and began using money to gain influence. The Medici Bank eventually became the official bank of
During the shift from the middle ages into the Renaissance period new conceptions of the individual and the human mind quickly came to light. Although art in the Middle Ages was centered predominantly on religion and faith, the incoming art of the Renaissance underwent a drastic change. A vast amount of these changes mainly focused on individualism, secularism, and humanism. Following the collapse of the feudal system, thoughts of individualism quickly rose when people realized that they didn’t have to adhere to a specific group.Throughout the beginning of the Renaissance, religious figures and the Catholic Church began to lose authority which conducted in new ideas of secularism. Comparably, humanistic art and notions became preeminent when individuals focused on glorifying the human body, learning more about it and inclined more towards realistic art.
Florence: Florence is known as the center of banking, has a strong trade market for wool cloth, and connected to mostly all Italian writers and poets. Florentine money is responsible for financing much throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Trading here would be great because it is in the middle of all other main Italian city-states.
The renaissance was a time of great and immeasurable change within all aspects of European life; so much so that it could be seen as beginnings of our modern western society. Leading this revitalization in culture and society in Europe’s historical development were to the two of the most dominant states of renaissance Italy, Florence and Venice. These small city-states were the powerhouses of the time and assisted speeding up the renaissance and helped spur revolutionary developments along the way being the main hubs of influence in the Italian peninsula during the late 13th and early 16th century. Florence could be characterized as a financial centre, with their banking system considered extraordinarily ahead of time; in addition being the main producers of fine elevated their chances to conduct successful trading ventures. Venice was considered one of the largest centers of trade being a coastal city of the shores of the Adriatic Sea, which allowed for prosperous trade with what was then considered the Eastern world; the city was also well known for their quality in ship building as well which likely contributed to them being a large naval power in the region. Now due to fact that both city-states were two different sovereign parts of Italy meant having two different approaches and views on or about a multitude of ideas. To understand the impact of Florence and Venice, the two very influential and affluent republics in renaissance Italy, it is crucial to analyze their over
When working with Florence, I will use a strengths approach, which will focus on Florence’s strengths. I need to have the belief that everyone has strengths. I will need to find strengths in Florence and help her discover those strengths, so she can find more effective ways of parenting and be able to regain custody of her daughter. I will have the belief that everyone has worth, no matter what they have done. I also need to believe that people have the capacity to change. I will focus on Florence’s abilities and assets, not her problems. It is important that social workers do not judge their clients, no matter what they do, or have done. It will be important that I not judge Florence for abusing her daughter. I will be an enabler, and supportive, and not tell Florence what she should do. She said that the police were very kind to her the night that Dave died, and it sounded like she appreciated their kindness. I will need to show her kindness and respect as well. That will help foster a trusting relationship between us. I will need to be her advocate as I work with other agencies, especially when working with the child welfare agency to do all I can to help her regain custody of Crystal. I will need to start where Florence is, recognizing that she is the expert of her life. I need to listen carefully during our first interview, and allow Florence to tell me as much about herself as possible, so I can get the best overall picture of her.
The focus of this investigation will be “The Medici family supported the artists of the Renaissance era by providing them financial support, throughout mentorship and because of the prevailing philosophy and humanism.” This investigation will focus on the background of the Medici family and how they supported artists of the Renaissances era. This investigation will use a primary source from an artist's work and a secondary source relating to the Medici family uprising.San Lorenzo (church). Medici chapel. Tomb of Lorenzo de' Medici which held Sculptures by Michelangelo and Adrien, De Roover Raymond. The Rise and Decline of the Medici Bank, 1397-1494. Norton Library, 2012.Both sources provide background to the Renaissance time period and how the Medic family treated artists with their power. The two sources are examples of how the Medicis changed the renaissance era through their money and power to pursue artists for their own benefit and for the time periods.