Western Civilization I / Unit 13 WC1 1214 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Patronage as Politics: Cosimo's Council of Florence, 1439
Captions available
The idea
Patrons paid in advance for public art and gained honor and influence, competing by commission instead of street fighting. Cosimo de' Medici's Council of Florence in fourteen thirty-nine hosted Greek lectures and a doomed reunion of Latin and Orthodox churches.
In practice
A king in all but name, the anchor says of Cosimo.
Where people slip
Without competitive patronage the masterpieces are doubtful, the anchor says.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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