The+Medici+Family+1434

Private and State Roles in economic activity

De’Medici Family 1434 In the 15th century renaissance wealth meant power, thus in 1434 the Florentine Medici banking family had gained so much wealth, power and influence that they actually ruled all of Florence from behind the scenes. All political decisions could be traced back to them. The Medici family did not only influence Florence politically, but also economically. The Medici’s frequently patronized the arts of famous artists such as Ghiberti, Bruneschelli, and Donatello in order to show off their great wealth, power and to overawe the masses. Which is why this text is linked by the painting called “Journey of the Magi” by Benozzo Jozzolio this painting best shows the Medici’s wealth, power and love of renaissance art. The Medici family perfectly fits the Theme of Private and State Roles in economic activity, because they were a family that privately owned a bank, and in the end managed to rule all of Florence.

MLA: McKay, John P. __History of Western society__. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.

"| Galileo | Patrons | Medici Family." __The Galileo Project__. 14 Apr. 2009 .