Watch How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance

The Great Courses Signature Collection presents "How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance," a comprehensive look at the influence of the Medici family on the pivotal period known as the Renaissance. Presented by Professor Catherine Fletcher, an expert in Renaissance history, this course explores the lives of the Medici family members who played a significant role in shaping the Renaissance.

The Medici family was a wealthy and politically influential family that emerged in Florence, Italy during the 14th century. Over the course of several generations, they amassed great wealth and power, ultimately becoming the most powerful family in Florence. It was during this time that Florence became the cultural center of Europe and the Renaissance flourished.

Professor Fletcher begins the course by exploring the origins of the Medici family and how they became so influential. She then examines the family's role as patrons of the arts and how their patronage breathed life into the Renaissance. The Medici family played a crucial role in the development of Renaissance art and architecture, and many of the most famous works of art from this time were commissioned by members of the Medici family. From the patronage of artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, to the construction of the famous Medici Palace, the family left a lasting legacy on the artistic world.

Beyond the arts, the Medici family was involved in numerous political and religious struggles of the time. Professor Fletcher delves into the family's involvement in the politics of their time, and how they managed to maintain their power and influence for so long. She explores the Machiavellian tactics that the family used to stay on top and examines their relationships with other powerful leaders of the time.

Throughout the course, Professor Fletcher paints a vivid picture of the Medici family and their impact on the Renaissance. She brings to life the personalities of the various members of the family, from the shrewd and calculating Cosimo de' Medici to the brilliant and enigmatic Lorenzo de' Medici. She also contextualizes their lives within the broader history of the time, showing how their fortunes rose and fell with the political and religious climate of their era.

Overall, "How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance" provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the most important families in the history of Europe. Through the lens of the Medici family, the course explores the cultural, political, and religious developments that shaped the Renaissance and left a lasting impact on Western history. With Professor Fletcher as their guide, viewers will come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this pivotal period in human history.

How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between August 13, 2021 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection