The Medici: Makers of Modern Art (2008)

The Medici family's greatest achievements were in art and architecture, which played a great role in the Renaissance. Giovanni was the first in the family to sponsor the arts. Assist Masazio and order the reconstruction of San Lorenzo Church. Cosimo de Medici's famous artistic collaborators are Donatello and Friar Philippo Libby. The most brilliant stroke of that period was Michelangelo, who served the Medici family for generations since Lorenzo. In addition to commissioned work in art and architecture, the Medici family has a large collection, which is now at the heart of the Uffizi gallery in Florence. In terms of architecture, the Medici family has left Florence with many famous attractions, including the Uffizi gallery, the Pitty Palace, the Popoli Courtyard and the Belvidler villa. In addition to achievements in art and architecture, the family also made outstanding contributions in science, sponsoring geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galileo. These amazing achievements made the Medici family known as the The Godfathers of the Renaissance of the Renaissance. Giovanni appointed Brunellesky to rebuild the church of San Lorenzo in 1419. Cosimo appointed Brunellesky to continue the unfinished dome of Notre Dame Cathedral. The world's largest dome was completed in 1436. Eleanor of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I, bought the Pitty Palace in 1550. Cosimo I funded George Vasari who founded the Uffizi gallery (1560) and established the School of Design in 1562. Marie de Medici, widow of King Henry IV of France and mother of Louis XIII, is shown in Peter Paul Rubens's painting "the Landing of Queen Mary de Medici in Marseilles" (1622-23).