Lorenzo the Magnificent and Florence's Golden Age

Another excellent three-week online course from Paul Nuttall on Lorenzo de Medici.

As ever Paula overran dramatically but we all know she’s going to and look forward to her enthusiasm taking over. She always develops a clear narrative to her talks while throwing in the latest research and some of the philosophy behind the works she is showing.

Week one focused on the life of this 15th century figure who epitomises the Renaissance to us. She took us through his life using wonderful images to drive the story.

Week two we moved to look at Lorenzo at home and what he owned. Paula based the structure on the inventory of his palace made on his death and walked us around it pointing out what was there, again with great images of what still exists. It was particularly interesting to think about what he’d inherited and what he acquired.

Finally we looked at Lorenzo as an influencer and how he used he artistic reputation of Florence to enhance the reputation of the city and how other citizens emulated him. We ended with a few words on the myths around Lorenzo started by Vasari and Machiavelli.

It was such fun to spend time with this complex and influential figure.

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