The Medici Family and the Arts: Patronage and Power in Renaissance Florence (1400–1500)

This lecture explores the extraordinary role of the Medici family in shaping the artistic and cultural landscape of Renaissance Florence during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Rising from a successful banking dynasty to become the city’s most influential political family, the Medici transformed Florence into one of Europe’s foremost centers of artistic innovation and intellectual achievement.

Dafne Mazzanti is a lifelong summer resident of Martha’s Vineyard and holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Florence, Italy. During the 1980s, she worked at the Black Dog on Martha’s Vineyard, an experience that remains a cherished part of her connection to the Island. For about 30 years, she has taught at American universities and study abroad programs in Florence. An official licensed guide for Florence, she specializes in the art, history, and culture of the 15th and 16th century, with particular expertise in Renaissance art and Italian gardens.