The Medici Family first gained wealth from the textile trade, mainly in wool exports and in supplying alum, which was used when dyeing cloth into different colors. But their real wealth and influence came when they got into the banking business. The Medici Bank was established in the year 1397 and lasted for nearly a hundred years. During that time, they were considered the richest family in Europe.
And while the Medici’s were known for many things, from being Dukes and Popes (3 of them) and great businessmen, perhaps their most lasting legacy was their philanthropy to the arts. They made considerable impacts to the works of the early and high Renaissance simply by investing in artists, commissioning great works. The Medici Family have even claimed to have funded the creation of the piano and the entire art form that is Opera. Think of all the tremendous art that was created from just those two things. Incredible!
Great artists like Brunelleschi (who is considered the founding father of Renaissance architecture), Donatello, Botticelli, and Michelangelo all thrived under Medici patronage. Leonardo da Vinci would play the lute at their parties. At the peak of the Renaissance, Florence was the capital of art in the western world, from Michelangelo’s David, to da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to Brunelleschi’s Dome. And a great majority of it was funded by the Medici’s.
I’ve heard somewhere that into today’s modern world that an artist needs the support of one thousand fans to be successful. That number seems like both a lot and a little at the same time. A lot if you don’t have any. A little when compared to some of the huge numbers of followers that today’s most successful stars have.
I say all of this as preface to what I’m about to ask. Please, be my Medici’s. If you like my work please support me in any way that you are able. Become a Patreon member, or buy my ebook on Kindle or the iBooks Store, follow me on Instagram, subscribe to my podcast. Anything helps. I would love to get to at least a thousand fans, and that starts with you.
We’ll talk again soon. Your friend, Atlas.
Atlas Sinclair 