The Influence of the Medici Essays

The Influence of the Medici Essays The Influence of the Medici Essay The Influence of the Medici Essay In this paper I will argue that the Medici family had an influence on the art produced during the Renaissance Era. The Medici family managed to become the chief patrons of the era, going from merchant class to bankers and eventually politicians. Many of Florence’s most recognizable buildings and features exist due to the influence of the Medici. Between 1300 and 1600 the Western world was transformed. An extraordinary wave of artistic and cultural innovation shattered medieval society and brought European culture reluctantly into the modern era. This was the Renaissance. Artists discovered how to paint in the third dimension, bringing new life and realism to their subjects. Breaking away from the religious traditions of the medieval world, they created entirely new genres of art, rich emotion. Radical new techniques were invented, such as painting with oils, and perspective. Artists such as, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello transformed the way we saw our world. The House of Medici or de Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house. It first began to gain prominence under the man Cosimo de Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. Gradually the family made money through illegal loaning, they were able to found the Medici Bank and rise in social ranking. The bank was the largest, most prosperous and respected institution in Europe during the 15th century. The Medici also gained political power in Florence; though officially they remained simply citizens. The Medici produced four Popes of the Catholic Church and in 1531 the family became hereditary Dukes of Florence[1]. From this, they acquired political power initially in Florence and later in wider in Italy. Since they were able to bring Florence under their familys power, this allowed for an environment where art and humanism could flourish. Also, by establishing several major institutions for artistic production and instruction they fostered the birth of the Italian Renaissance. The ways in which the Medici had an effect on culture was through sponsorship of art and architecture. The Medici was responsible for the majority of Florentine art during their reign. Their money was significant because during this period, artists generally only crafts their works when they received commissions in advance, and simply the fact that they could buy whomever’s art they wanted. Giovanni di Bicci de Medici, the first patron of the arts in the family, commissioned Brunelleschi for the reconstruction of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence in 1419. The Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of the largest and oldest churches of Italy[2]. It is placed in the city’s main market district, and the burial place to members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III. For three hundred years it was the citys cathedral. One can only imagine how people were influenced by the style of architecture and art displayed by the Basilica. This form of architectural propaganda was used for promotion of themselves, their status, and of their religion. The most significant addition to the list over the years was Michaelangelo. He produced work for a number of Medici, beginning with Lorenzo the Magnificent. Lorenzo was said to be extremely fond of the young Michelangelo, inviting him to study the family collection of antique sculpture[3]. Lorenzo served as patron to Leonardo da Vinci for seven years. His support of the arts is seen as a high point in Medici patronage. Celebrated during his lifetime for his extraordinary talent as a sculptor, painter, architect, and poet, Michelangelo inspired subsequent Florentine artists and attracted the citys most powerful patrons. The Medici grand dukes patronage allowed art in all ways to flourish. In addition to commissioning portraits and decorative objects for their private enjoyment and public display, the Medici family ordered the reconstruction and renovation of numerous civic buildings and private residences. In 1505 Michelangelo was invited to Rome by the newly elected Pope Julius II, commissioning him to build the Popes tomb. Under the patronage of the Pope, Michelangelo had to constantly stop work on the tomb in order to accomplish numerous other tasks. Because of these interruptions, Michelangelo worked on the tomb for 40 years. During that same period, Michelangelo took the commission to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which took him approximately four years to complete[4]. In 1513 Pope Julius II died. His successor Pope Leo X, also a Medici, commissioned Michelangelo to reconstruct the facade of the basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. He was to adorn it with sculptures Michelangelo and the Medici grand dukes, an intellectual curiosity and an awareness of the power of images, shaped the artistic, political, and cultural identity of Renaissance Florence. [5] Michelangelo designed the Medici Chapel was told to use his own discretion to create. The Medici Chapel has monuments inside dedicated to certain members of the Medici family. Michelangelo never finished the project, so his pupils later completed it. Lorenzo the Magnificent was buried at the entrance wall of the Medici Chapel. It is not known how Donatello and Cosimo de Medici became friends1. Having a keen eye, Donatello was consulted on the quality of the antiques and texts rescued by Cosimo and his friends. In 1419, Cosimo nominated Donatello to sculpt a tomb for the dead pirate pope, Baldassare Cossa, which would be placed inside the Baptistry. Cosimo and his father provided the funding and Donatello cast a bronze likeness of the pope. With Cosimos help, Donatello built a reputation for realism. In 1434, following his triumph over the enemies of the Medici, Cosimo requested a special commission from his friend. Donatellos bronze â€Å"David† broke all the rules. A playful, sensuous, and androgynous hero, David, was the first life size nude to be cast in bronze since Classical times. To create such a homoerotic hero could have been dangerous for Donatello without the support of the Medici. Cosimo placed the statue in the center of the courtyard of the Medici Palace where it was visible to all. [6] Later, in Rome, the Medici Popes continued in the family tradition of patronizing artists. Pope Leo X commissioned works from Raphael. Born Raffaele Sanzio in 1483, Raphael came to prominence at the court of Pope Julius II, whose portrait he painted in 1512. As a boy, Raphael spent his days studying the works of the great masters like Leonardo and Michelangelo. Raphael was given commission to decorate the most private chambers in the Vatican, the rooms of the Pope. The biggest opportunity of Raphaels life brought him into direct interaction with one of his childhood idols. Down the hall, Michelangelo was engaged in one of the greatest solo projects of the Renaissance, the painting of the Sistine chapel. When Giovanni de Medici was elected Pope Leo X, he found Raphael easier to work with than the demanding Michelangelo. Raphael painted a portrait of the new Pope with his cousin, Giulio de Medici, and designed several magnificent buildings under their patronage. One of the most famous artists in the world, Leonardo de Vinci, was taken care of by Lorenzo de Medici. Leonardo was more than just an artist. It is argued that no man has ever studied more subjects or generated more ideas, than Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo, like thousands of talented boys, was drawn to Florence. He was soon employed by Verrochio, whose busy workshop served many powerful families, predominantly the Medici. Even as an apprentice, Leonardos talent was hard to ignore. His contribution to the â€Å"Baptism of Christ† was so vivid, it was said that Verrochio threatened to give up painting. Lorenzo de’ Medici saw the talent in the young boy and immediately took him under his wing. Leonardo was experimenting with oils, a radical technique previously known only in the Northern Europe. Traditionally, Italian artists had painted with tempera (pigment mixed with egg), which dried quickly, often cracked, and was considerably messy. By mixing a pigment with oil, Leonardo discovered a more versatile color, which could be built up in layers to add depth, tone, or even to cover mistakes. It was the start of an artistic revolution. Leonardo soon had come to outgrow Florence. He approached Lorenzo de Medici for help. Lorenzo referred him to his friend, the Duke of Milan, whose needs were more practical than artistic. This suited Leonardo perfectly, as he had surpassed the need for just a studio and was desperate to build his inventions[7]. Once in Milan, he couldnt resist a commission that became the most famous fresco in history, â€Å"The Last Supper. †[8] Without the aid of the Medici, Leonardo da Vinci may not have been pushed into a cerain direction as an artist or inventor. The political, social and religious actions made by the Medici have affected art history. The Medici family usage of allocating their money into art has especially affected the art produced in the Renaissance Era. By commissioning whatever artist they found to be the best at the time, they funded some of the most influential and beautiful artistic creations ever made.

Idioms and Expressions Using Have for ESL

Idioms and Expressions Using Have for ESL The following idioms and expressions use the verb have. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help your  understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with have. English Idioms and Expressions Using Have have a big mouth Definition: somebody who tells secrets, who is a gossip Dont talk to Mary she has a big mouth.If you didnt have such a big mouth, Id tell you my secrets. have a bee in your bonnet Definition: have an obsession, something that always remains in your thoughts and efforts She has a bee in her bonnet that health care must change.If I have a bee in my bonnet, I have to do everything I can until I can make it happen. have a bone to pick with someone Definition: have something (usually a complaint) that you want to discuss with someone I have a bone to pick with you. Just a moment, lets talk.Toms looking for Pete because hes got a bone to pick with him. have a brush with something Definition: have brief contact, or experience with someone or something I had a brief brush with Jack and I didnt like it.Hes had a brief brush with unemployment. have a chip on your shoulder Definition: be in a bad mood and challenging people to fight Dont take him seriously, he just has a chip on his shoulder.Yes, I have a chip on my shoulder! What are YOU going to do about it?! have a close call Definition: be close to danger I had a close call yesterday and was almost in an accident.Shes had a few close calls in her life. have a familiar ring Definition: sound familiar, as if youve heard it before That story has a familiar ring. Did we read that last year?Her experiences have a familiar ring. I guess everybody goes through that. have a good head on your shoulders Definition: have common sense, be sensible Jack has a good head on his shoulders. Dont worry about him.I think you have a good head on your shoulders. You should trust your decision. have a green thumb Definition: be very good at gardening Alice obviously has a green thumb. Look at that garden!My wife has a green thumb, so I let her do all the gardening. have a heart Definition: be compassionate or generous and forgiving with somebody Dont hold that against her. Have a heart!I think hell have a heart and forgive you. have a heart of gold Definition: be generous and sincere Mary has a heart of gold. I just love her.The teacher has a heart of gold with her students. have a heart of stone Definition: be cold and unresponsive, unforgiving Dont make him angry. He has a heart of stone.I cant believe how he treats his children. Hes got a heart of stone. have an ax to grind Definition: complain about something often He has an ax to grind against his health care provider.I know you have an ax to grind against Agatha, but stop complaining! have an in with someone Definition: have special access to someone (often used at work) She has an in with the boss. Let her ask him for permission.I wish I had an in with the director so I could get a promotion. have a one-track mind Definition: always thinking about one thing He has a one track mind. He cant talk about anything besides golf.Do you have a one-track mind? have a soft spot in your heart for someone or something Definition: love or adore a thing or person Ive got a soft spot in my heart for Maria Callas.He has a soft spot in his heart for pinball! have a sweet tooth Definition: like sweets too much I know you have a sweet tooth, but you need to be careful.I need to watch my weight, especially because I have a sweet tooth. have clean hands Definition: to without guilt, guiltless Dont blame him, he has clean hands.The man claimed to have clean hands in the crime. have egg on ones face Definition: be embarrassed after having done something very stupid I had egg on my face after I asked that stupid question.I dont think he realizes he has egg on his face. have eyes in the back of your head Definition: seem able to follow everything that is going on, even though you do not focus on it She has eyes in the back of her head. Be careful!The students believed their teacher had eyes in the back his head. have mixed feelings Definition: to be uncertain about something or someone Janice has mixed feelings about Ken.Brad has mixed feelings about buying a new car. have money to burn Definition: have an excess of money Dont worry about it! Shes got money to burn.Do you think I have money to burn?! Of course, I cant buy you a diamond ring. have your hands tied Definition: be prevented from doing something Im afraid I have my hands tied and cant help you.Peter told me he had his hands tied on the Franklin deal. have your head in the clouds Definition: to not pay attention to what is going on around you Doug had his head in the clouds all the time he was at university.Do you have your head in the clouds?! Pay attention! have your tail between your leg Definition: be afraid of something, not have the ​courage to do something He just couldnt approach her. He seemed to have his tail between his legs.Janet went to her father with her tail between her legs and asked for forgiveness. have other fish to fry Definition: have more important things to do, have other opportunities Look. I have other fish to fry, so just say yes or no.Susan had other fish to fry and left her position at the bank. have someone or something in your hands Definition: have the responsibility for someone or something I have the project in my hands. If you have any questions, come to me.She had her boyfriend in her hands. She could do anything. have the Midas touch Definition: have the ability to easily be successful Hell succeed. Hes got the Midas touch.Ask her to approach those difficult clients. She has the Midas touch. have the presence of mind to do something Definition: stay calm in a dangerous or frightening, or emergency situation He had the presence of mind to cover her up before he went to find help.Alice has the presence of mind to take along some extra food before setting out on the hike.