Medici Patronage in Early 15th‑Century Florence (c. 1389–1469)

1. Cosimo de’ Medici is born in Florence

   Sep 27, 1389Labels: Cosimo de', Medici family, Florence

   • Britannica

2. Medici Bank is founded, building long-term wealth

   Jan 1, 1397Labels: Medici Bank, Medici family, Florence

   • Medici Bank

3. Giovanni di Bicci backs San Lorenzo’s Old Sacristy

   Jan 1, 1421Labels: Giovanni di, Old Sacristy, Brunelleschi

   • Sagrestia Vecchia
   • SGIRA

4. Old Sacristy construction reaches early completion

   Jan 1, 1428Labels: Old Sacristy, Brunelleschi, San Lorenzo

   • SGIRA
   • Sagrestia Vecchia

5. Donatello decorates the Medici-funded Old Sacristy

   Jan 1, 1428Labels: Donatello, Old Sacristy, Medici

   • WGA Sacristy

6. Giovanni di Bicci dies; Cosimo leads the family

   Jan 1, 1429Labels: Giovanni di, Cosimo de', Medici family

   • Britannica

7. Cosimo is exiled from Florence in a political crisis

   Jan 1, 1433Labels: Cosimo de', Florence, Political exile

   • Cosimo de Medici

8. Cosimo returns from exile and dominates Florentine politics

   Oct 6, 1434Labels: Cosimo de', Florence, Medici leadership

   • Cosimo de Medici
   • Nationalmuseum

9. Donatello’s bronze David is commissioned for Medici display

   Jan 1, 1435Labels: Donatello, Bronze David, Medici

   • V A David
   • Donatello David

10. Cosimo funds rebuilding of San Marco convent

    Jan 1, 1437Labels: Cosimo de', San Marco, Michelozzo

    • San Marco

11. Council of Ferrara-Florence moves to Florence

    Jan 10, 1439Labels: Council of, Florence, Greek scholars

    • Britannica Council

12. San Marco is dedicated after reconstruction

    Jan 6, 1443Labels: San Marco, Cosimo de', Convent dedication

    • San Marco

13. Palazzo Medici begins, reshaping private patronage

    Jan 1, 1444Labels: Palazzo Medici, Michelozzo, Cosimo de'

    • U M Library

14. Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes is made for the Medici

    Jan 1, 1457Labels: Donatello, Judith and, Medici

    • Judith bronze

15. Palazzo Medici’s chapel frescoes are painted for the family

    Jan 1, 1459Labels: Benozzo Gozzoli, Magi Chapel, Palazzo Medici

    • Magi Chapel
    • Gozzoli

16. Cosimo supports Ficino’s early “Platonic Academy” circle

    Jan 1, 1462Labels: Cosimo de', Marsilio Ficino, Platonic circle

    • SEP Ficino
    • Ficino

17. Cosimo de’ Medici dies; patronage leadership transitions

    Aug 1, 1464Labels: Cosimo de', Medici succession, Florence

    • Britannica Cosimo

18. Piero de’ Medici dies, ending the 1460s transition

    Dec 2, 1469Labels: Piero de', Medici family, Florence

    • Britannica Piero