What was patronage and how did many patrons make their money?

What was patronage and how did many patrons make their money?

Rulers, nobles and very wealthy people used patronage of the arts to endorse their political ambitions, social positions, and prestige. That is, patrons operated as sponsors. Some patrons, such as the Medici family of Florence, used artistic patronage to “cleanse” wealth that was perceived as ill-gotten through usury.

Why did rich Italians give money to artists during the Renaissance?

The Medici are most famous for their patronage of the arts. Patronage is where a wealthy person or family sponsors artists. They would pay artists commissions for major works of art. The Medici patronage had a huge impact on the Renaissance, allowing artists to focus on their work without having to worry about money.

Who were the patrons in the Italian Renaissance?

Matthew and the Deposition were commissioned by groups of men who were members of powerful guilds, or the corporate entities that dominated renaissance public life. Other types of patrons included rulers, nobles, members of the clergy, merchants, confraternities, nuns, and monks.

How did patrons help artists during the Renaissance?

According to humanist philosophies, art was morally uplifting for all of society. So when patrons commissioned a major work of public art, it was seen as a gift to the people. This added a final motivation for patrons to commission art, as a way to increase their fame and immortalize their legacies.

How did wealthy patrons support the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, most works of fine art were commissioned and paid for by rulers, religious and civic institutions, and the wealthy. Producing statues, frescoes, altarpieces, and portraits were just some of the ways artists made a living.

Which family of patrons was the most famous one during the Renaissance in Italy and why?

As stated above, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were also patrons of the Medici – specifically for Lorenzo. While they were influential for their patronage of the arts, the Medici were also politically and religiously powerful and left a lasting legacy on Europe.