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Visit to Leonardo da Vinci, 1495

My husband sought to commission a portrait of myself to be hung in our home as a reminder of my beauty even as I grow old. My husband considered many artists but desired to have Leonardo da Vinci paint my likeness after once viewing the beautiful portrait he made of Ginevra de’ Benci. 

We traveled by horse and cart to Milan where he was working for the Church after a mutual friend agreed to arrange for us to meet and to talk about what price we could agree upon and if he had the time. Along the way we saw fields of open plow land and people toiling them, we saw herds of goats and sheep (and even when we didn’t see them we could smell them nearby), over the hill country to our destination stopping to rest each night. Our horses were in could shape and we made great time.

On our arrival, we met while he was working on a painting of Christ and his apostles at the Last Supper. Da Vinci stood there lost in contemplation. He had been known to take years to finish his works, starting and stopping them, sometimes not even finishing them at all. He had been like this for many years, potentially always like this. Da Vinci had too much on his mind, my husband could sense this while we discussed the potential for a portrait of myself. But his gifts from God held us in contempt, we were still willing if he would agree. Da Vinci studied me and said that he could not paint my portrait to his likeness because of the immense pressure he faced at the moment from the church. He had a number of unfinished works and other projects and experiments, and he simply realized that he did not possess the amount time necessary to create a portrait for us despite our willingness to pay. The Prior of the place where he had been working was pressing him to finish this work of the Last Supper, we could not blame this other man. Just by looking at the image so far, we could see the importance that this future work of da Vinci would have. My husband and I left to return to Florence without any agreement for a portrait by the great Leonardo da Vinci. On the way we discussed finding a different artist to paint my portrait, one that was much less occupied. 

Feinberg, Larry J. The Young Leonardo : Art and Life in Fifteenth-Century Florence. (Cambridge University Press, August 29, 2011). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Vasari, Giorgio. Life of Leonardo da Vinci. Manuscript.London: Philip Lee Warner, 1912-1914. From Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/vasari1.asp. (accessed November 3, 2022)

da Vinci, Leonardo. Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk. 1512, Biblioteca Reale, Turin. JPG, https://www.leonardodavinci.net/self-portrait.jsp#prettyPhoto. (accessed November 24, 2022)

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Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1492

It is a terrible day in Florence indeed, Lorenzo de’ Medici has died. The whole city had fallen silent with the news, almost as if she knew that this was the end of the prosperity we had all enjoyed for so long. All mourned for his death, from princes to the poor. Crying could be heard in the streets. It was all anyone could talk about or could think to talk about. Our dearest friends and family could not help but think back on all the wonderful things he had done and the of the greatness of his influence on the city of Florence. He had a rareness about himself. Not many leaders could be so wise, so eloquent, and be quick to solve any issue in a way that did the most good. His abilities and mannerisms caused him to be revered by Kings of other countries, and they expressed his favor to him. The Sultan of Egypt had sent him precious gifts, the Grand Turk gave him Bernado Bandini, the murderer of his brother. He greatly enjoyed the company of women and was his happiest when he could banter with witty men. But those close to him or those that knew those close to him spoke of the pain he suffered in his later years and some say that is what took him in the end.

Even the heavens mourn his loss! Just yesterday many witnessed a lightning strike hit the steepest pinnacle of the church of the Santa Reparata. This caused the pinnacle to crash to the ground, shocking and amazing those who saw the event. Many have taken this as a warning sign for bad times to come, I hope they are wrong. All of Italy seemingly mourns for him and the loss of his life. I also hope that we see another leader of his greatness in our lifetimes, but my husband is much more pessimistic. 

Sources

Field, Arthur. The Intellectual Struggle for Florence: Humanists and the Beginnings of the Medici Regime, 1420-1440. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Machiavelli, Niccolò. History of Florence: Lorenzo de' Medici. Letter. Boston: 1882. From `The History of Florence', Vol. 1, Book 8, 36. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/machiavelli-histflo-lorenzo.asp. (accessed November 3, 2022)

Padgett, John F., and Christopher K. Ansell, Robust Action and the Rise of the Medici, 1400-1434, (American Journal of Sociology: The University of Chicago Press, May 1993). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Niccolò Fiorentino. Lorenzo de' Medici, il Magnifico, 1449-1492, Samuel H. Kress Collection, National Gallery of Art. JPG https://www.kressfoundation.org/kress-collection/artwork/8c484b5333ccf7002e0ffb476f8a04e77be7c2cffea29fa3cb1dae6aebe3fe8d. (accessed November 24, 2022)

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Visit to Paris, 1490

I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Paris, France. I had not been to Paris before and few of my friends had been. I was most looking forward to seeing the Rhine River. I enjoyed seeing other countries and exploring new and exciting cultures, but the more I saw, the more I appreciated our home of Florence. Nevertheless, we journey to Paris to stay for two months or more as my husband worked. We had brought one servant with us to help me care for the villa in which we were staying. I could not believe the sites of the city as we entered it after our long and tiring journey. Paris was almost more a kingdom than a city. My husband had told me of its magnificence but at the time I could not comprehend the scale that he tried to explain to me. After arriving at our villa, which smelled of the fresh flowers that were cut and placed in vases all throughout, I sat down to write my dearest friends that they must come and visit this city even thought I had not even begun to explore it yet.

I learned that Paris claims it was founded by our Julius Caesar so that could be why I felt at home here. As my husband began his work, I opted to visit a market and explore the fares that this city had to offer. The market was loud as people were making their way through, haggling for lower prices or deals, or sellers yelling to passersby to buy their goods. I bought a loaf of bread, some cheese, and some silk to take back with me to be made into a new dress when we returned home. I walked the streets and eventually made my way home as it was starting to get late and I realized I had lost track of the time. My husband had already returned home and went to a nearby tavern for dinner. 

A few days later I decided that it was time for myself to bathe so I made my way to the Rhine. The water was so bluish green and cool. There were many other women along the river washing clothing or dishes, as well as bathing. Talking to one another, laughing, and singing as they washed. The women seemed happy and free. The city was extremely civilized and I hoped to come back with my husband one day. Soon enough our time in Paris ended as my husband finished the business he had to attend to, and we set out on our long journey to return home. 

Sources

Byrne, Joseph P. The World of Renaissance Italy: A Daily Life Encyclopedia. (Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood, 2017). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Cohen, Elizabeth S., and Thomas V. Cohen, Daily Life in Renaissance Italy, 2nd Edition. (Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood, 2019). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Petrach, Francesco. An Excursion to Paris, the Netherlands, and the Rhine To Cardinal Giovanni Colonna. Letter. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1898. From the Hanover Historical Texts Project, Petrarch: The First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters. https://history.hanover.edu/texts/petrarch/pet16.html. (accessed November 3, 2022)

Botticelli, Sandro. The Judgement of Paris. 1488. Giorgio Cini Foundation, Venice, Italy. JPG, http://vasari.com.hk/pages/article/judgement_of_paris (accessed November 24, 2022)

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Arrival of the Medici Giraffe, 1487

I first heard a rumor that the great Lorenzo de’ Medici was gifted a giraffe by the sultan of Egypt and that there was to be a giraffe in Florence, a rarity in all the neighboring lands. I have never seen a giraffe before, and neither had my parents or my grandparents. The last giraffe to be seen was long before my time, and I had only heard tales of their magnificence. Cosimo desired a real giraffe but only ever had a wooden one. I wanted to see a real giraffe because this opportunity might never come again. I, along with my husband, had the honor of attending the presentation of the great giraffe and other exotic animals from the east. 

We stood in the back of the crowd while everyone from cardinals to merchants, noblemen and noblewomen, stood waiting to get a peek of this great beast, Lorenzo de’ Medici was sitting, looking proud, just waiting receive what he had been wanting for so long. One could smell perfume in the room. After a few moments, they then brought her in. Everyone became hushed, and a few people gasped. She had to have been the height of second story window. Lorenzo was very pleased. The rest of the crowd, myself included, were infatuated with her. Lorenzo the Magnificent now had his symbol of power and would be cemented as a great and powerful man. He kept her in a menagerie with other exotic animals.

The poor thing did not live for not much more than another year. I guess giraffes were not made to be kept, but to be left wild. I will always remember how she loved to nibble on treats given to her by the other noble people. My husband told me of her death while I was eating the breakfast that had just been prepared by our servant, a meal of porridge and bread. She had been kept in a barn and the tall thing got her head stuck in the rafters, and she subsequently snapped her neck and died in a panic. There would never be another giraffe in Florence in my lifetime. 

Sources

Belozerskaya, Marina. The Medici Giraffe : And Other Tales of Exotic Animals and Power. 1st ed. New York: Little, Brown and, 2006. (accessed November 20, 2022)

Field, Arthur. The Intellectual Struggle for Florence: Humanists and the Beginnings of the Medici Regime, 1420-1440. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Machiavelli, Niccolò. History of Florence: Lorenzo de' Medici. Letter. Boston: 1882. From `The History of Florence', Vol. 1, Book 8, 36. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/machiavelli-histflo-lorenzo.asp. (accessed November 3, 2022)

Padgett, John F., and Christopher K. Ansell, Robust Action and the Rise of the Medici, 1400-1434, (American Journal of Sociology: The University of Chicago Press, May 1993). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Vasari, Giorgio and da Faenza, Marco. Ambassadors pay homage to Lorenzo the Magnificent. 1556-1558, Pallazo Vecchio. JPG, http://www.freyasflorence.com/the-exotic-in-florence-the-medici-giraffe/. (accessed November 24, 2022)

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Sandro Botticelli and The Birth of Venus, 1486

There was a new painting that had been unveiled by the artist Sandro Botticelli and many of our friends and neighbors were talking about it. My husband and I were intrigued because the artwork featured a woman scantily clad and had been commissioned by the Medici’s. The Medici’s were patrons of Botticelli and other great artists such as Leonardo de Vinci. With that patronage great and astounding works had been produced. Their influence in this new age of art was energizing and having the privilege to experience this was one of my greatest joys. We would often go to many art unveilings and would try to purchase art to impress our guests if our funds would allow. My favorite piece that my husband purchased was a painting of the Madonna, to remind us every day of our devotion to our sacred faith. 

We, along with some of our friends who had not seen this Birth of Venus, purchased tickets to view this new painting. To say it was shocking was an understatement. The depiction of Venus’ body was so natural, something that was new during this time. But one could not argue that Botticelli’s vision was not magnificent. She looked celestial and we were captured by this depiction. For a moment though while viewing the painting, I wondered if the art was too shocking. The Church might choose to destroy this artwork because it depicted a women in a naturalistic manner, one in which they did not agree with. But one could argue that in this new age of art and discovery, one should be able to see this imagery just to know that it exists and to be inspired. Over a hundred years ago, Petrach wrote about his ascent of Mount Ventoux; he climbed the mountain just to see the view even though it would have made little difference in his life. This is how I feel about art, one does not need to see every art piece but the reflections and thoughts that come to us while viewing them must have some importance. 

Sources

Cohen, Elizabeth S., and Thomas V. Cohen, Daily Life in Renaissance Italy, 2nd Edition. (Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood, 2019). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Petrach, Francesco. The Ascent of Mount Ventoux. Letter. From the Internet History Sourcebooks Project. https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/petrarch-ventoux.asp. (accessed November 3, 2022)

Botticelli, Sandro. The Birth of Venus. 1482-1485, The Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. JPG. https://www.visituffizi.org/artworks/the-birth-of-venus-by-sandro-botticelli/. (accessed November 24, 2022)

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Visit to the Palazzo Medici, 1484

We were welcomed to the Palazzo Medici for the grand unveiling of this new feat of architecture. The Medicis were to host a private banquet with food and music and dancing for all to enjoy. The air at the king-like banquet was merry and many already had too much wine to drink when we arrived. Never had I seen a palazzo so grand in its nature. Noblemen and noblewomen were dressed in bright colors, wearing their best or most expensive dress in order to impress themselves upon the Medicis. Although, we also had the same intentions. For if one made a good impression, it could lead to favor down the line from Florence’s wealthiest family. And there was so much food and drink! Platters of food carried out on gold and silver; course after course would come and keep coming until one could not think to eat another bite for at least a week. There was even an edible statue, made of sugar, that resembled a man, or was perhaps God himself. Unfortunately I or my husband did not get the chance to ask who he was meant to resemble before it was devoured and forgotten along with everything else prepared. 

After the feast ended, the entertainment begun. At first there was dancing to accompany the music that had been playing throughout the evening. The madrigal sang in perfect harmony and the crowd danced as if in a trance, or that could have been the fault of the copious amounts of wine consumed. One could only assume that the Medicis hired the best professional singers and musicians in all of Florence for their great banquet. One could not help but notice the joy present among the Medicis, so much joy that one could question whether they might actually perish from being having too much delight. 

Eventually the dancing broke up and others called for a sort of different entertainment, a competition of combat. The crowd, encouraged by the alcohol, loudly cheered for any two men to duke it out for the respect of their hosts. Two young noblemen accepted the call and agreed to duel, with the loser having to “play dead”. All cheered these two men as they again and again tried to defeat the other. Oh, what great entertainment that was. Eventually a winner was elected and was rewarded dedicated prizes from the Medicis. The night ended in fireworks, and we returned to our home, full and drunk after a night hosted by the Medici family. 

Sources

Cohen, Elizabeth S., and Thomas V. Cohen, Daily Life in Renaissance Italy, 2nd Edition. (Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood, 2019). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Field, Arthur. The Intellectual Struggle for Florence: Humanists and the Beginnings of the Medici Regime, 1420-1440. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017). (accessed November 3, 2022)

Petrach, Francesco. The Visit to the Goldsmith at Bergamo To Neri Morando. Letter. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1898. From the Hanover Historical Texts Project, Petrarch: The First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters. https://history.hanover.edu/texts/petrarch/pet04.html. (accessed November 3, 2022)

Romeo, Cristina. The Palazzo Medici Richard. Year Unknown. https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/chapel-of-magi-benozzo-gozzoli.html. (accessed November 24, 2022)

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Sources

Profile Picture

Leonardo da Vinci. Ginevra de' Benci, 1474/1478. Washington: National Gallery of Art, JPG. https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.50724.html. (accessed November 24, 2022)

Background Image

Biagio d'Antonio and Workshop, The Triumph of Camillus, 1470/1475, Washington: National Gallery of Art, JPG. https://www.nga.gov/features/slideshows/patrons-and-artists-in-late-15th-century-florence.html#slide_4, (accessed November 24, 2022)