Medici

Medici, Italian family of bankers, princes, and patrons of the arts who controlled Florence almost continually from the 1420s to 1737 and provided cardinals, popes (Leo X, Clement VII, and Leo XI), and 2 queens of France. The foundations of the family's power were laid by Giovanni di Bicci de'Medici (1360–1429), who achieved wealth through banking and commerce. His elder son, Cosimo de'Medici (1389–1464), was effectively ruler of Florence from 1434 and was voted “Father of the Country” after his death. He founded the great Laurentian Library and patronized artists including Donatello and Lorenzo Ghiberti. His grandson Lorenzo (1449–92), called “the Magnificent,” was Italy's most brilliant Renaissance prince. Himself a fine poet, he patronized Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, the young Michelangelo, and many other artists. Lorenzo helped make Florence a powerful and beautiful Italian state, and took over the state government. His son Pietro (1471–1503) was expelled from Florence (1494) by a popular rising led by Girolamo Savonarola. The family was restored in 1512; Pietro's son Lorenzo (1492–1519) ruled from 1513 under the guidance of his uncle Giovanni (1475–1521), who was Pope Leo X and a bountiful patron of the arts in Rome. The ruthless Cosimo I (1519–74) doubled Florentine territory and power and was made grand duke of Tuscany in 1569. Catherine de Médicis (1519–89) was the wife of Henry II and mother of 3 French kings. She virtually ruled France from 1559. Marie de Médicis (1573–1642), the wife of Henry IV, reigned after his death (1610) until her son, Louis XIII, became king. The later Medicis were less distinguished; the line died out with Gian Gastone (1671–1737).

See also: Catherine de' Medici; Clement VII; Leo.