Cosimo Medici Old (Cosimo di Giovanni de 'Medici, Cosimo il Vecchio) is one of the most prominent people of his era, who had an extraordinary character, and lived a bright, interesting and long life. His name is inextricably linked with the history of medieval Italy and all of Europe. He was the founder of the famous Medici dynasty, which is why he received the nickname Old (or Senior), a wealthy man, merchant, banker, financier, statesman, who was able to correctly use his fortune, to become a very influential figure, who played a significant role in the economy, politics and cultural life of the Florentine Republic .
Family and education
Cosimo Medici was born in 1389 in Florence. He was the eldest son in the family of Giovanni di Bicci de 'Medici and Piccarda Bueri. The head of the family became a well-known Italian banker, having passed a difficult path from an ordinary small creditor to the creator of a financial empire. Thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and his wife’s affection, in 1392 he founded the Medici Bank - one of the most successful commercial enterprises in all of Europe. Cosimo's mother, Piccarda Bueri, was a noble blood, came from an old, aristocratic family, and was considered one of the first beauties of Verona.
The young man received a brilliant comprehensive education: he studied at the school of the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where he was taught philosophy, art history, exact sciences and foreign languages. He perfectly knew French, German, Arabic and Hebrew. One of his teachers, and then another, was the best expert on classical literature, literature, Latin and Greek, the humanist Roberto de Rossi, who instilled a sincere love for the ancient heritage. A huge role in the upbringing was played by the father, whose instructions influenced the character and fate of Cosimo Medici. Giovanni di Bichchi taught his successor modesty and moderation, advised to be careful not to express your thoughts openly, to avoid litigation and political debate, not to show pride and stubbornness.
Brother
All his life Cosimo Medici felt an inextricable connection with his only, younger brother Lorenzo (Lorenzo di Giovanni de 'Medici), who was born 6 years later. The sons of Giovanni di Bichchi were never tormented by jealousy, were not competitors, and always remained for each other a powerful support and support. They both participated in commercial (later political) family affairs. Lorenzo was less proactive, but helped his brother in all his endeavors. He subsequently became the ancestor of the youngest branch of the Medici clan, whose descendant was Cosimo I, proclaimed in 1569 the first ruler of the great Tuscan duchy.
Marriage and children
In 1416, at the age of 27, Cosimo married the Italian aristocrat Contessina de Bardi, who belonged to an old and influential family of Florentine bankers. This marriage was concluded at the insistence of Giovanni di Beachi, and strengthened the position of the Medici clan. It is known that Contessina participated in managing the financial affairs of the family, was a very modest, zealous and wise woman. She outlived her spouse for 9 years.
Two children were born in the marriage: in 1416 - Piero (Piero di Cosimo de 'Medici), who received the nickname Goutoso due to illness, and in 1421 - Giovanni di Cosimo de' Medici. The youngest son, who had high hopes, as the successor to the family business, died at the age of 42, a year before the death of his father. In 1469, the son of Pierrot, 20-year-old Lorenzo the Magnificent (Lorenzo di Piero de Medici il Magnifico), will continue the great Medici dynasty.
Finance and Banking
In his youth, Cosimo proved himself to be a brilliant businessman, possessing a great instinct, a sharp mind and an entrepreneurial vein. By the age of 30, he was already actively involved in the commercial affairs of his father, and headed the family bank. In 1429, Giovanni di Bichchi died, leaving his sons a huge fortune. In addition to land and other property, Cosimo inherited almost 180 thousand florins (gold Florentine coins), and became one of the richest people in Florence.
The scope of his business interests was very wide: together with his brother, he was engaged not only in expanding the banking network (branches were opened in different parts of Europe, North Africa, the Near and Far East), but also in trade. The Medici family business monopolized and covered the following areas:
- production and marketing of woolen and silk fabrics;
- mining of alum used in the textile and leather industries;
- trade in valuable types of fur and spices scarce in Europe.
Conducting large-scale commercial activities dictated the need to enter the political arena. This role of the founder of the Medici clan was very significant for Florence.
Political life
Being an intelligent, visionary and active person, Cosimo understood how important it was to participate in political life. His father prepared good ground for him: Giovanni di Bicci had a certain influence in Florence, in many ways contributed to lowering taxes for people, thanks to which the Medici family gained supporters from among ordinary citizens. Back in 1415 and 1417, Cosimo was elected for a short time a member of the Florentine Signoria - the highest body of city government. Later he became the head of the party of the people, which acted as an opposition force against local patricians.
The real struggle for power began in the 30s of the 15th century. The confrontation took place between the aristocratic and popular parties, or rather, between two influential clans: Albitsi and Medici.
The hostility of families became the most acute and open after the war of Florence with Lucca and Milan was lost. The head of the aristocratic party, Rinaldo Albitsia, through intrigues and false accusations, managed to achieve the imprisonment of Cosimo. It was even a death sentence, but after long negotiations the city authorities adopted a decree to expel Medici and his relatives from Florence for 10 years.
In 1433, the family left their hometown in Padova (Padova), and later moved to Venice. It is noteworthy that when Cosimo left the borders of the Florentine Republic, ordinary people gave him every possible support, honor and respect, and the Venetians met him not as a convicted exile, but as a worthy statesman. While in Venice, Cosimo continued to carry on violent financial and political activities.
The clan of Albition did not rule for long. Errors in foreign policy and tax increases have undermined the position of the aristocratic party. In 1434, elections were held in the Florentine Signoria, as a result of which the leading positions in the city were taken by opponents of the patricians. For the Albician family, it was a complete failure. Cosimo came to Florence a year after his "exile", and his return was a real triumph.
Power in the hands of the Medici
In 1434, the thirty-year “golden” era of the reign of Cosimo de Medici began. While he was in power, Florence experienced a period of political stability, as well as economic and cultural prosperity. Major achievements included:
- elimination of contradictions between representatives of different layers of Florentine society;
- wise social policy in relation to ordinary citizens (tax cuts, support in lean years, etc.);
- establishing peaceful relations with Milan, Naples and Venice;
- annexation of some neighboring territories;
- increasing the prestige of the Florentine Republic and its transformation into the center of international politics;
- development of the financial system, as well as shipping, trade, agriculture, silk-spinning;
- focus on education and culture, attracting the best representatives of science and art to Florence.
It is interesting how Cosimo Medici ruled the republic: having concentrated in his hands the actual and sole authority, he did not have high titles, and he held the post of gonfalonier (head of Signoria) only three times (for a period of two months), while remaining a decisive figure until his death , the "gray cardinal" in the political life of Florence. The republican form of government became increasingly nominal. Key government posts were received by loyal and loyal followers, while Cosimo himself preferred to remain in the shadows. Aware of the power of capital, he easily ruined and destroyed opponents, or, on the contrary, attracted the right people to his side. Money was his main political weapon. So, for example, the Medici credited the Pope himself, the king of England, the Duke of Burgundy and many other high figures.
Patronage
Cosimo has always patronized humanists, people of art and literature, trying to make Florence the center of the intellectual life of Italy. He was one of the most generous philanthropists in Europe, bought valuable books, ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts, generously paying for translations of ancient classics (including works by Plato and Cicero), invited and provided favorable orders to famous sculptors, architects and painters. Cosimo assisted many of the great creators of the Renaissance. These included:
- scientist, writer and historian Leonardo Bruni;
- writer, collector of ancient manuscripts Poggio Bracciolini;
- art theorist, architect Leon Battista Alberti;
- humanist thinker, expert on Latin Cristoforo Landino;
- architect, sculptor Filippo Brunelleschi;
- artist Filippo Lippi;
- sculptor Donatello;
- architect and sculptor Michelozzo di Bartolomeo.
During his reign, Florence was transformed: considerable funds were allocated by the Medici for the construction of temples, monasteries, shelters and hospitals. Cosimo’s money was invested in the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (la Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), the reconstruction of the Church of St. Mark (Basilica di San Marco), where the public library was also founded, the arrangement of the dormitory of the Santa Croce monastery ( Basilica di Santa Croce), renovation of the Basilica of St. Lawrence (Basilica di San Lorenzo) and many other architectural structures.
In 1462, at the initiative of the Medici, the Platonic Academy was established, headed by Marsilio Ficino, an outstanding philosopher, astrologer, humanist, and connoisseur of ancient heritage. For 30 years, the Villa Cosimo in Kareji, which turned into the center of Florentine Neoplatonism, hosted meetings of the best representatives of science and art of the Renaissance, studied the works of ancient thinkers, discussed issues of philosophy, aesthetics and religion.
Cosimo spent more than 400 thousand florins on charitable purposes and arranging public organizations, which was almost twice the amount of the inheritance left by him after his death.
The last years of life and death
At the end of his life, Cosimo Medici suffered many trials. He survived the death of his youngest son and grandson. Family business had to be handed over to Pierrot, who gravitated towards a secluded, spiritual life and far from commercial and public affairs. In the political arena, Cosimo spent a lot of effort, health and time on eliminating the discontent of opponents who rebelled against his sole control of the republic. Moreover, the untitled head of state continued to enjoy great authority and respect among ordinary citizens.
Cosimo felt the approach of death in the spring of 1464. Together with his wife, he moved to his beloved villa in Kareji, where he died quietly on August 1 of that year. The burial took place in the church of St. Lawrence, the tomb of famous representatives of the Medici clan. Cosimo bequeathed not to arrange a magnificent funeral, however all inhabitants of Florence came to say goodbye to him. By order of the government, the words “Father of the Fatherland” were carved on the tombstone - a testimony and expression of the true respect of the people that the wise ruler gained during his lifetime.
Images in the painting
According to contemporaries, Cosimo did not differ in external attractiveness and possessed ordinary physical data. He preferred modest clothing for his position, was thin, of small stature, with rough features and an earthy complexion; gout and arthritis acquired with age disfigured a figure and gait. Cosimo's most famous image is a profile portrait of the Florentine artist Pontormo (real name Jacopo Carucci), painted more than half a century after the death of the founder of the Medici dynasty.
You can see the picture in the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), one of the oldest art museums not only in Florence, but throughout Europe.
Casimo the Elder is also depicted as an old man, eager to kiss the little Christ, in the painting "Adoration of the Magi", owned by the famous Botticelli.
In Biographies by Giorgio Vasari, the main source of information about Renaissance creators, there is a detailed analysis of this work. She is considered one of the liveliest and most accurate portraits of Cosimo.
TV series
By October 2016, the multi-part film Medici: The Lords of Florence was shot - a joint work of British and Italian filmmakers, consisting of 8 episodes.
After the crushing success of the first season in October 2018, the sequel to the series was released. The role of Cosimo was played by Scottish actor Richard Madden. Spectators are delighted with the vibrant, lively historical drama, eloquently telling about medieval Europe and the intricacies in the fates of the representatives of the powerful Medici clan.
