Lorenzo Odone

The statue of David has inspired many renowned artists throughout art history maintaining the continuity of the story of David and Goliath. Four of such artists are Donatello, Verrocchio, and Michelangelo during the Renaissance period; and Bernini in the Baroque period. Each transformation of David is rendered in a distinctly different sculpture of the same subject reflecting each of the artist’s own style and time period in comparison. The inspiration of the subject matter is David; the…

Commercial transactions were another form of income for the Medici. They spread out their accounts by dealing in many items, for example: wool, cloth, silk, spices, olive oil, and fruits. The Medici style of banking was sometimes done in the dark. They would use the complicated and confusing banking system to their advantage, when dealing with large sums of money. They would separate their accounts for each business venture they went into, and each account was charged with all the costs,…

like these, millions of people are drawn to Rome yearly. It is truly like an outdoor museum. The St. Peter’s Piazza is located at the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. It is often referred to as Vatican Square. The Piazza’s creator, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is one of the most influential artists of his time and to this day. It is named after St. Peter for being one of Jesus’s twelve disciples and being the first Pope. It is the center of the Catholic faith. Bernini created his masterpiece…

Before I came to Florence, Italy, I used to dream about visiting Milan, Italy. The Reason I wanted to come to Italy was not only Milan is one of the major fashion-cities in the world, but also Italy is famous for the origin of a high-end fashion brand. But my main reason study abroad in Italy was only Milan, honestly, I didn’t even know about Florence that well. After I arrived in Florence, I realized that I was a big frog in a small pond, there were so many inspiring things I have not imagined…

Niccolo di Betto Bardi, a member of the Florentine Wool Combers Guild. Donatello (1386–1466) A sculptor who revolutionized the art in Florence during the early Renaissance. Born as Donato di Niccolo Bardi, he was an apprentice in the workshop of Lorenzo Ghiberti, and assisted Ghiberti in creating the famous bronze doors of the Baptistry of Florence. December 13, 1466 By 1455, Donatello had returned to Florence and completed Magdalene Penitent, a statue of a gaunt-looking Mary Magdalene.…

Durante Alighieri, also known as Dante (meaning “he who gives” ) was born in Florence on May, 1265. He was born into a family with small nobility and a history of involvement in Florence complex political scene. His mother, Bella degli Abbati, came from a family of wealthy landowners but died a few years later after his birth. His father, Alighiero di Bellincione, whom Dante seemed to have avoid mentioning as much as possible, soon remarried with Lapa di Chiarissimo Cialuffi. His father made…

Medici (1360 - 1429), because he was the one who founded the Medici bank which led the family to wealth. Cosimo de Medici started the Medici dynasty as the first leader of the Medici family in Florence. Last but not least, we have Lorenzo de Medici (1449 - 1492). Lorenzo ruled Florence and supported the artists Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Sandro…

Upon their return Piero’s younger brother Giuliano reigned from 1512-1516, and became prince; he was followed by Lorenzo son of Piero, who was named Duke of Urbino by Pope Leo X, who was a Medici and son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. When Lorenzo Duke of Urbino died, Giulio, the illegitimate son of Giuliano the brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent, ascended and ruled the city but abdicated in 1523 to his illegitimate son Alessandro in order to become Pope Clement VII and…

The artist that was once forgotten after his death for many years, Piero Della Francesca, is now considered one of the key Early Renaissance artists. Piero Della Francesca had a big impact on the development of the Italian Renaissance because of the use of a variety of techniques that enabled him to produce realistic looking paintings. In 1416, Piero Della Francesca was born in a small town, Sansepolcro in Italy. Piero was the son of Benedetto de' Franceschi and Romana di Perino da Monterchi.…

As art commissions shifted from exclusively being issued by the church, to private families, governments and wealthy patrons, this provided ample opportunity in regards to the spiritual narrative. Whether it was modified, amended, or enhanced this was one outcome of the art that was now being made during the Renaissance. No family exemplifies this better than the Medici's of Florence. Essentially a wealthy Florentine banking family, their house and family contributed greatly to this Age of…