Renaissance+Patrons+2

=Cosimo de Medici= =1389-1464= While the Medici family was predominant Florence became the cultural center of Europe and also became the cradle of New Humanism. At the end of the 13th century the families wealth increased again when one of the members of the family served as gonfalero (bearer of high ceremonial office). Then in the 14th century the families wealth increased again. In 1383 Savestro de Medici`s wealth decreased when he was banished. Cosimo had two sons and while his first son, Pier, ruled things kind of slipped. Then their wealth increased again because of his other son Lorenzo. Cosimo didn`t occupy and official post, he did a lot of good things for people. An example of one of his qualities was. He paid for artists` education and supplied them with homes by buying their work. He was truly a man of the renaissance. One of Cosimo`s accomplishments was when their wealth had first begun. One member became gonfaler standard bearer. From then on the word success fitted the Medici family well. While the family ruled the city and making it the most powerful state in Italy. They made the worlds most beautiful city. It was known as an art center and cradle of New Humanism. They spent some of their wealth on having the largest library in Europe. They founded the Platonic Academy and supported artists by feeding them, educating them, and providing them with plenty of necessities. A few of those artists were Donatello, Michelangelo, and Rapael. The family also did alot of charitable acts such as cultivating literature and the arts. The Medici family was a very helpful family. Cosimo the Elder became the principal figure in the administration of Florence in 1434 and soon displayed his passion for building, in which he employed Brunelleschi and Michelozzo. He also had a passion for education, donating and scholarships. They were placed in a library which was open to the public. Cosimo developed a particular interest in Plato. With Marsilio Ficino he established a Platonic Academy in the garden of the Villa Medici at Careggi.