The Italian Renaissance was a time of great exploration and a plethora of new discoveries. Internally, the mind was explored to flourish new inventions at the time. Externally, new colonies have been found as a result. Lorenzo Medici contributed greatly to the exploration of art during the Renaissance in Florence; whereas, Christopher Columbus rummaged to establish new colonies in Spain and the New World. If exploration was not internal, no external results would develop. Internal and external explorations have been proved, by Lorenzo Medici and Christopher Columbus, to be a good thing.
During the Italian Renaissance in Florence, Italy, a prosperous family had been born. This family is better known as the Medici Family. The Medici’s had many generations, and, surprisingly, all of them added a significant amount of exploration to the Italian Renaissance. The single person who contributed mostly to the exploration of the Renaissance was Lorenzo Medici. Lorenzo may also be known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, due to his ability to be a diplomat, politician and patron of scholars, artists, and poets; “Lorenzo's mode of life, his ability and good fortune, were recognised with admiration, and highly esteemed, not only by all the princes of Italy, but also by those at a great distance” (Medieval Sourcebook). After Lorenzo’s father, Piero, son of Cosimo, passed, Lorenzo was thrusted into the spotlight. He was next in line affiliated with the Medici dynasty to run the Medici banks, but he was not the best political leader. The Medici family was so honored, the Church benefitted from the banks. Lorenzo, however, found comfort and solemnity in the arts.
Lorenzo was an esteemed artist during the Renaissance. He explored for the most impressive talent that was available during the time. “Lorenzo therefore always favoured men of talent, but particularly nobles who had any inclination to art; so it is no wond'er that some came forth from that school to astound the world” (Michael Angelo). When Michelangelo, a young 13 year old boy, joined the Medici family, Lorenzo became extremely curious in the type of art that this young man could produce. Lorenzo found one extraordinary artist, so he kept searching and came across another man named Leonardo da Vinci. Both Michelangelo and da Vinci impressed Lorenzo; he decided to take these two men, along with other artists, and establish the first art school in history. Da Vinci was an apprentice of Andrea Del Verrocchio; “There are many drawings by his hand, and among them some heads of women, with the hair arranged in that manner that Lionardo da Vinci always imitated” (Lionardo Da Vinci). Michelangelo and da Vinci became rivals, because both of their art was adored by Lorenzo. As a result of the exploration for talent by Lorenzo, two astounding artists and many outstanding works of art have derived.
While the Renaissance was taking place in Italy, another great exploration was being made by an Italian man known as Christopher Columbus. Columbus explored the land that was waiting to be found across the western ocean. “I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone” (Medieval Sourcebook). Columbus founded the New World, which is the modern day Americas and Australia. The common belief of the people in 1492, was that the earth was flat. They believed that it was possible to step off the face of the earth. Columbus ‘explored’ and proved the people wrong. He found that the earth was actually spherical. Without the exploration of Columbus, the New World would not have been found, and people would still believe that the earth is flat.
Exploration done by the Italians was a very good thing. Lorenzo Medici found two of the most popular and esteemed artists to this day. Christopher Columbus found the New World, and uncovered the true shape of the earth. Without exploration and determination, none of this would have been possible. Internal and external explorations have been proved, by Lorenzo Medici and Christopher Columbus, to be a good thing.
"Lionardo Da Vinci: Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari14.htm>.
"Michael Angelo: Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari26.htm>.
"Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html>.
"Medieval Sourcebook: Niccolò Machiavelli: History of Florence: Lorence De' Medici."FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/machiavelli-histflo-lorenzo.html>.
Very nice job supporting your argument with primary sources.
ReplyDeleteSomething to think about: you say that exploration is a "good thing"; in terms of Columbus' voyages and the colonization that followed, do you think the indigenous peoples of the Americas thought it was a "good thing"?