Supply and demand for goods play a critical role throughout world economies. They are perhaps the primary building blocks of any economy. Several hundred years ago, supply and demand were no less important, and were particularly instrumental in the economic recovery of Florence during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The ability of a group of notable people to provide the supply of goods in response to demand in Florence provided the foundation for the flourishing of art, commerce, and living standards. In their own ways, both Michelangelo and the Medici family contributed to the economic recovery and development of Italy. While Michelangelo may have represented only one of a slew of notable artists …show more content…
2 - 67).
Let us first look at why there was so much money, all of a sudden, so long after the Black Death. In the 1300's and 1400's most of the excessive wealth and money from the reduced populations went into territorial expansion as well as toward military costs. These helped Florence become a thriving city, well-positioned to grow. Then, in the mid to late 1400's, some political order was restored, taxes were cut, and the military expansion was halted. All of the money which had been going to the military could now be spent on the economy. Since taxes were cut significantly, people had a lot more disposable income (Goldthwaite, The Building... 1 - 44). Disposable income is defined as all of the money after taxes that can be either spent or saved by the people. All of this excess money could therefore be spent on extra consumer goods and public works (Baumol and Blinder 592). It was at this time that beautiful buildings began to spring up throughout Florence. The Medici family sponsored the architectural design and construction of many elaborate buildings and churches, many of which still exist today. They were among a small number of people who actually had enough money to spend on these very expensive extra goods.
The distribution of wealth in Florentine then was very different from the distribution of income in the United States today. In 1992, the top 5% of
Now each city-state had a product that made them prosper. For Florence it was cloth, Milan arms, but Venice and Genoa became extremely rich of off trade. That would be why the wealthiest city-state was Venice. That is because they were excellent shipbuilders, sailors, and merchants. They figured out how to trade with the biggest economic power in the region, the Ottomans. They created most their profit from trading paper to the Ottomans. Another way they turned a profit was with the highly sought after Florentine textiles due to the textiles vibrant color that was dyed with alum. Now they could only get this chemical for the Ottomans until 1460. That was when the Pope's godson found alum in Italy and they started to mine the alum. The family in charge of the alum mining rights were the Medici.
In the article “Conditions of Trade,” Michael Baxandall explains that fifteenth-century Italian art is a “deposit” resulting from the commercial interaction between the artist and the purchaser, who he refers to as a client. These works, as such, are “fossils of economic life,” and money, and they play an important role in the history of art. In our current perception of the relationship between the artist and art, “painters paint what they think is best, and then look around for a buyer” . However in the past, especially during the Renaissance period, the customers determined the content and form of paintings, as it was them who commissioned the work before it was created. He states that the artists and clients were interconnected and
Italy was considered the birthplace of both the Renaissance, specifically the Artistic Renaissance. The Renaissance was a period of rebirth (14th to the 17th century) of learning classical knowledge, which then went more specifically into the formation of ideals and thoughts such as the focus on man and their achievements, man being fundamentally “good”, the use of measurements and science in art and the overall shift into what is more appearance oriented as well as somewhat of a realistic art style. These ideals of the Renaissance were presented through the work that artists of this period were producing.
The Italian Renaissance was one of the most colorful, vital, and exciting times in history. Renaissance eventually comes from the French word "Renaistre," meaning "to be born again." The Renaissance was a revival or a rebirth of cultural awareness and learning among art, law, language, literature, philosophy, science, and mathematics. This period took place between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Renaissance in Italy flourished in the 15th century and spread throughout most of Europe in the 16th century.
First, 14th century Florence was governed by a guild regime. The Florentine commune was led by priors elected from upper guilds for two month terms. The short term limits and election from higher guilds meant every citizen of rank in Florence had a chance to hold office. Those worthy of being elected would have belonged to an upper guild and had the respect of peers. Also, public office was important for reputation and social standing. The desire for election was not limited to Florence but applied abroad as well, “Florentines yearned to go abroad as foreign rectors both because of need of added income and in the avid quest for honor and reputation.” The many communes of the Italian peninsula made repeated office holding possible for many citizens. Moreover, events such as the black plague starting in 1348 allowed more than just nobleman to become officials. The sudden change had, “temporarily reshuffled the deck of social rank and entitlements.” Men who had enough ambition and effort could become high standing members of Florence no matter their station at birth. The desire to be recognized by society at large would shape the lives of Pitti, Dati and Alfani.
The Renaissance period is known for the revival of the classical art and intellect born in ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance is also a time that is marked by growth, exploration, and rebirth. The Italian Renaissance started in Florence and progressively made its way into Venice and then into the great city of Rome. During the Renaissance, Rome was home to some of the most renowned works of art and the finest architectural masterpieces in the world - too many that still holds true today. Along with the delicate architecture and grand artistry, Rome was also home to a mixture of people and cultures. It is in this cultural context and through the book A Street Life in Renaissance Rome: A Brief History with Documents, that understanding how men, woman, and specifically Jews and Christians lived in Rome becomes important to better understand this period of renewal.
By the end of the 14th century there was hardly a well to do household in Tuscany (a province in northern Italy) without
The House of Medici had abundant power in Florence during the Renaissance, as well as other members of the richest part of society
During most of the Renaissance in Italy, the Medici family controlled Florence. They were most known for their success in banking and commerce. In these ways they were one of the main reasons for the political development of Florence. They were also known to be one of the biggest patrons of the arts of the time. Giovanni de Medici established in 1397 that Florence would be the Medici’s home. Giovanni was an influential, wealthy citizen, who was also the banker to the papal court. There was even a point in his life that he had even held every political office in Florence. He like most of his family, supported the arts and was a well-known patron. In 1429
The moral fanatic and religious fundamentalist, Giralamo Savonarola, inhibited the development of the Renaissance in Florence and brought the city back into the Middle Ages.
(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)
The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy around the 1500’s to about the 1700’s. Florence, Italy was the mecca of this rebirth because at the time Florence was extremely wealthy and the people of the city had political freedom and those new ideals of the Renaissance were not being condemned in Florence as they were other cities. This was a time where the arts and the logic of one’s own mind was valued rather than criticized, the antiquated medieval ideals no longer matched the needs of those who were living during the early Renaissance. Eventually, a term for this way of thinking arose and was called Humanism, and what humanism is, is an ideology where humans can lead themselves to create a prosperous life and instead of leaning on supernatural forces for answers. Humanists believe that humans have enough logic to create conclusions themselves. This brand-new way of thinking caused a lot of controversy because it did question God’s ability and the church’s power, but the ideas behind it are still heavily used today, even in the 21st century. Humanism in the early Renaissance is important because it called for thinking with reason, it allowed an appreciation for human body and mind, inspired authors and caused a shift in power.
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
During the 1400s and 1500s in mainly Italy there was a major change that took place in all aspects of life. This was called the Renaissance and was a movement that helped give rebirth to culture and the arts. This movement went away from the medieval times that had forced a feudalist system on its people. The Medieval times were a dark period in European history that saw a major decline in arts and government. This declining can be attributed to a number of different reasons. One of which was the Bubonic Plague that spread throughout Europe and Asia and killed millions of its inhabitants. This was the final nail in the medieval coffin. Throughout these times the major focus for government and the arts were all religion oriented. The Black
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.