On April 26, 1478, during Mass at the cathedral of
Lorenzo financially supported such artists as Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, and Michelangelo. Michelangelo even lived in the Medici palace with Lorenzo and his family for five years.
Lorenzo continued his father’s commitment to buying ancient Greek and Latin texts. He also paid to have many copied and given to important friends across
He participated in the Platonic Academy started by his grandfather and its discussions of a synthesis of Platonic philosophy and Christian theology. He also wrote excellent poetry in Tuscan and by doing so rescued it from its recent confinement by Latin.
An intellectual companion of Lorenzo told him that the Dominican preacher Savonarola would benefit
Lorenzo died in 1492 at the same family villa in Careggi (just outside
His son Giovanni, born in 1475, took the name Leo 10th and was pope from 1513-1521. Lorenzo also adopted his nephew Giulio who was born in 1478 shortly after the murder of his father Giuliano. Giulio later took the name Clement 7th and was pope from 1523-1534.
Copyright © 2013 by Steven Farsaci.
All rights reserved. Fair use encouraged.
All rights reserved. Fair use encouraged.