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Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist - Private Patronage in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries - Glorification of the patron and self-glorification by the artist

8 important questions on Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist - Private Patronage in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries - Glorification of the patron and self-glorification by the artist

Who was the Florentine family that commissioned most of the city's art?

De' Medici, the ruling family of Florence in 1434 whose generosity and competitiveness caused them to commission many artworks in order to let the city flourish and rise in status.

Who were often included in commissioned private artwork in the 15th century?

Typically both the commissioning party (the patrons) and the artist himself, to show off their status and, on the artist's side, to gain popularity and more commissions.

Why were the De' Medicis also included in paintings they had NOT commissioned, like Sandro Botticelli's The Adoration of the Magi?

Because the patron, Guasparre, had gone broke and he needed the help of the greatest banking family to regain his wealth. After doing so as a broker, he commissioned this painting to thank the family and to secure a favourable association with them.

In what way were patrons and patron saints connected?

Patrons considered it good luck to commission artworks of their patron saints, in hopes this saint would save them during the Last Judgment.

Why were biographies suddenly being written about artists in the Early Renaissance?

Because, for the first time, they were viewed as people of status and therefore the people were interested in their personal lives. By 1550, they were celebrities, and this was mainly due to Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists which - as the title already suggests - describes the lives of various artists, hailing their work.

Why were the Florentines so interested in Donatello's David?

Because the young shepherd David fighting the mighty giant Goliath symbolized, to them, the power of the small state Florence against the other nations. They would triumph against adversity no matter their size.

What did Donatello's David say about the Medicis?

That they were very liberal with regards to the arts, since the statue definitely broke with tradition. They wanted to be viewed as intellectual leaders and this statue made them appear interested in Humanism and the new worldviews of the Renaissance. Also, whereas David could fight for his territory, so could the Medicis.

What does Albrecht Dürer's Self-Portrait say about the early 16th-century artist?

That the artist was a gifted intellectual of celebrity status who could almost be likened to Christ.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Thinking About Art A Thematic Guide to Art History | 9781118905166 | Penny Huntsman

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Topics that are related to Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist - Private Patronage in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries - Glorification of the patron and self-glorification by the artist

Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist

Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist - Private Patronage in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries - Glorification of the patron and self-glorification by the artist

8 important questions on Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist - Private Patronage in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries - Glorification of the patron and self-glorification by the artist

Who was the Florentine family that commissioned most of the city's art?

Who were often included in commissioned private artwork in the 15th century?

Why were the De' Medicis also included in paintings they had NOT commissioned, like Sandro Botticelli's The Adoration of the Magi?

In what way were patrons and patron saints connected?

Why were biographies suddenly being written about artists in the Early Renaissance?

Why were the Florentines so interested in Donatello's David?

What did Donatello's David say about the Medicis?

What does Albrecht Dürer's Self-Portrait say about the early 16th-century artist?

Topics that are related to Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist - Private Patronage in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries - Glorification of the patron and self-glorification by the artist

Patronage and the Social and Cultural Status of the Artist

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