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theses

A great many individuals and families of historical prominence contributed to the development of the Italian and larger European Renaissance through acts of patronage. Among them was the Florentine House of Medici. The Medici were an Italian noble house that served first as the de facto rulers of Florence, and then as Grand Dukes of Tuscany, from the mid-15th century to the mid-18th century. This thesis evaluates the contributions of eight consequential members of the Florentine Medici family, Cosimo di Giovanni, Lorenzo di Giovanni, Giovanni di Lorenzo, Cosimo I, Cosimo II, Cosimo III, Gian Gastone, and Anna Maria Luisa, and their acts of artistic, literary, scientific, and architectural patronage that contributed to the cultural heritage of Florence, Italy. This thesis also explores relevant social, political, economic, and geopolitical conditions over the course of the Medici dynasty, and incorporates primary research derived from a conversation and an interview with specialists in Florence in order to present a more contextual analysis. Further analysis examines how the Medici successfully used knowledge and beliefs concerning the past, as well as contemporary Florentine culture to advance themselves and cement their legacy. Historical parallels are also explored. Existing literature makes plain that the Medici contributed a great deal to the Renaissance movement through their acts of patronage. This thesis contributes an original perspective to existing literature by concluding that the House of Medici largely shaped, and ultimately epitomizes the Renaissance itself through its contributions to Florentine cultural heritage, and by historic preservation efforts that define how we understand the Renaissance today. Justification for this conclusion is supported by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Advisory Body Evaluation, which cites Medici contributions to the cultural heritage of Florence and the Renaissance in support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designation of the Historic Centre of Florence as a World Heritage Site. The lesson learned is that the cultural heritage of the world is priceless, but it is nothing without measures taken to ensure its protection.

ETD_6207

M.A.

Includes bibliographical references

by Nicholas J. Cuozzo

doi:10.7282/T3NV9M3T

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.