The Family Medici

Starred review from January 1, 2018
Unimpressed with the celebratory legend, British scholar Hollingsworth (The Borgias) builds on her previous work regarding the Italian Renaissance to show how the ambitious Medici family moved beyond their banking origins to acquire the power to essentially strangle burgeoning republicanism in Renaissance Florence. Each generation receives an unsentimental overview centering on its most prominent male member, showcasing the public achievements and transgressions that gave the family enormous power and wealth. Well-known figures such as Lorenzo the Magnificent and Duke Cosimo I appear in short, enjoyable chapters, but Hollingsworth strives for fairly equal representation, which benefits the later, lesser-known family members who rarely receive book-length treatments. Images of well-known period art, much of which resulted from Medici patronage or revealed a link to the family, adorn each chapter. The visuals provide a break from the never-ending machinations that Hollingsworth details, such as Cosimo’s manipulations of the electoral process and Lorenzo’s use of art “as a political tool.” She admirably handles political maneuvers elsewhere, especially in Central Europe. If there’s a flaw here, it’s a minor one—the odd decision to avoid discussing, beyond a mere mention, Henry VIII’s attempts to gain an annulment from Medici Pope Clement VII, which led to the English Reformation. Hollingsworth’s clear, concise family chronology serves as an excellent introduction or handy reference guide to one of the Renaissance’s most infamous families. Illus.

January 1, 2018
A fascinating warts-and-all history of the rise and fall of the Medici.Hollingsworth (The Borgias: History's Most Notorious Dynasty, 2011, etc.) effectively debunks the myths surrounding this legendary family, from the first moneylenders who moved into Florence in the 13th century through the end of the dynasty in 1737. Throughout the centuries, the author amply shows, the Medici lied, cheated, inveigled, and sweet-talked their way into absolute diplomatic and political power. They built up their banking business through the generations, and it became the basis for the family wealth. The Medicis understood the power of local politics and used their money to control it until Florence was no longer a republic but rather a dictatorship. Some of the best elements of this eye-opening book are the casts of characters and their relationships, which begin each chapter. Since so many Medici shared the same first name, these lists are extremely helpful in keeping the players straight. Equally illuminating are the dozens of illustrations. A major event in the family's history occurred in 1420, when Giovanni di Bicci relinquished control of the bank to his sons, Cosimo and Lorenzo, who, despite his later appellation of "Magnificent," was an inexperienced playboy who lacked political acumen. His blatant embezzling, plus the decline of the economy, gave rise to the attacks of Savonarola on the materialism and corruption of his administration. Hollingsworth also points out that Florence was not the only important city during the Renaissance; Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Mantua were also significant. Florence certainly profited from the architects, artists, and writers of the period, but the Medici's use of those artists was for the greater glory of Medici, not Florence. The true builder, Cosimo I, came to power in 1544 and became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany. He grew the economy and city and laid the foundation for the persisting perception of Medici greatness.A vital acquisition for anyone who studies the Renaissance and seeks the true role of the Medici in the history of Florence.

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March 1, 2018

This is a revisionist view of the celebrated Medici family written by scholar Hollingsworth (The Cardinal's Hat), known for her publications on the Italian Renaissance. Hereditary dukes of Florence, Italy, the Medici family produced three popes as well as a queen of France, and remain a pervasive presence in the Italian city. This highly readable narrative traces the history of the family over the course of 500 years, from their origins in the early 1200s to the death of the last Medici in 1737. The author's goal is to demythologize the family as benevolent, patriarchal leaders who used deceit, oppression, and manipulation to enrich themselves; often failing to distinguish their own private interests from those of the state. The author enriches her text with illustrations of art and architecture from the period. Hollingsworth disputes the claim that Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance, another Medici "myth" that overshadowed the contributions made by other cities, churches, and religious institutions. VERDICT Although general readers may find themselves overwhelmed by the complexities of Renaissance politics, features such as maps and genealogical charts add to the book's value. For informed readers interested in the Renaissance and Italian history, culture, and travel.--Marie M. Mullaney, Caldwell Coll., NJ

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