March 12, 2014

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinby feather
File:GianoMediciRicardi.gif

       This amazing Renaissance building was constructed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo from 1445 to 1460 in Florence, Italy. When it was built, it was simply known as the “Medici Palace” until the Riccardi family acquired it later on. The Italian word “palazzo” means any large house that was owned by wealthy families in the 15th century. The Medici, a powerful Italian banking family that was originally in the wool business, brought wealth, fame, and a rebirth of learning to the Italian peninsula. Basically, the Renaissance was a cultural movement that sought to resurrect the ideals of the classical ancient Greek and Roman world. Humanism, a philosophy that stressed the new-found importance of the human being and the world in relation to us, flourished during this time (15th-16th centuries). Additionally, Neoplatonism, a collection of beliefs that combined classical thought/philosophy with the teachings of the Christian scriptures, had many followers. The Medici-Riccardi palace is the height of the “cultural rebirth,” and has several defining characteristics. 

File:Palazzo medici riccardi finestre inginocchiate.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Palazzo_medici_riccardi_finestre_inginocchiate.JPG
       Most obviously, the building is divided into three successive stories with different types of stone at each level. The bottom has large, rusticated (rough) stones, and the stones become flatter and smoother as the eye travels upwards. The heavy stone at the bottom was derived from medieval fortifications and castles that used impenetrable material for defense. Besides exemplifying the new interest in math and order, the sheer size and width of the building emphasized Cosimo de Medici’s immense power. When one sits on the benches outside the Palazzo, their feet dangle above the ground (the Medici are the real power). Also, a cornice (overhanging stone roof) caps the building so one’s eye does not simply slide upward into the sky because of the successively smoother layers of stone; it also served a practical purpose as a gutter. To further emphasize math and reason, the windows are even spaced/ symmetrical and the divisions of the building are formed by classical mouldings. The ground floor originally had open arches so the Medici could conduct business, but they were replaced with windows designed by Michelangelo. The rounded arches hearkened back to  Ancient Rome, which used the architectural device for support and decoration, and the pediment came straight out of Ancient Greece. 
       The interior of the building is clustered around an open courtyard with rounded-arch arcades forming the four sides. Images in the tondos (circular plaster images) contain the symbol of the Medici, five red, rounded balls. Other sgraffito work (tinted and engraved plaster) is present as well. Overall, this amazing building has a plain exterior and ornate interior, and it was meant to subtly convey Cosimo’s power. The edifice is intimidating, but not crude and overtly oppressive; the Medici family was one to be allied with in the 15th century because it meant connections and wealthy friends.

File:Palazzo Medici-Riccardi - walled garden 1.jpg
Palazzo Gardens
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palazzo_Medici-Riccardi_-_walled_garden_1.jpg

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Medici_Riccardi