Sites of Florence History

When you go to this city, be sure to pause

and breath in its History.

The Uffizi Gallery

This is the major art museum in Florence. With paintings of:
The Grand Duke Francesco (1541-1587) who was a Medici, turned the Uffizi, a building his father had planned to accommodate government offices, into a gallery to house the Medici art collections. He added the Tribuna, a domed octagonal room designed by Buontalenti. Buontalenti also built a complete, very high theatre within the Uffizi, it's no longer there.
Outside the Uffizi there are larger than full size statues of Galileo, Masaccio, Cosimo, Lorenzo the Magnificent, Dante, and many others.

The Palazzo Vecchio

This building is also called: "Piazza della Signoria" or sometimes it is refered to as "Palazzo dei Signori". The main hall is called Salone dei Cinquecento. Building construction began in 1299. This building served as the town hall or seat of government. It took over the Bargello as the seat of corporate government. It was originally built for the heads of the Guilds: cloth importers, bankers, silk merchants, wool makers, doctors, lawyers, and notaries. A head of a particular guild was elected "Prior" or leader of Florence in the early times. Outside of this building stands the statue of David, by Michelangelo. Also outside is Donatello's Judith and Holofernes. Judith raises her sward avengingly in one hand while the other grasps the hair of Holfernes. Her one foot stands on his right hand almost stopping his pulse.

In the court yard outside also stands a statue of The Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici on a horse by Giambologna. This was completed in 1594, 20 years after Cosimo's death in 1574. It was the first equestrian statue put up in Florence. Cosimo was the first Duke of Florence and Siena, Also the First Grand Duke of Tuscany. This statue was put up by Ferdinando I (1549-1609), as a monument to his father.

A competition commisson, between the rivals Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, was awarded under Piero Soderini. It was to be painted on either side of the Hall of Great Council inside the Vecchio. Both artists worked on works of art. Leonardo's work was of a horse rider at battle. Michelangelo's work was of fighters that were surprised by the enemy, they are being attacked while they bathing. Both works were abandoned before they were finished. Leonardo composed 'The Battle of Anghiari', Michelangelo composed 'The Battle of Cascina'.

The Signoria (government officials) bought Verrocchio's bronze statue of David from Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici and turned it into a Republican Symbol. It was placed in a commanding staircse site in The Palazzo Vecchio.

Inside the Palazzo Vechio is the Chapel of Eleonora di Toledo (wife of Cosimo the First Grand Duke of Tuscany (1519-1574)), by the artist Agnolo Bronzino.

Cosimo I The Grand Duke of Tuscany, had an immensely long corridor built, to connect The Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti. It crossed the Ponte Vecchio running above the shops, and it passed through the Church of Santa Felicita, which received a remodelled porch, and inside an opera-box was built so that the Duke could attend mass. The corridor had to detour around the Medieval Tower of the Menelli Family, who were against the re-structuring of their building. Today the corridor can be seen projecting outward around the Tower on the Oltrarno side of the Arno.

The Baptistery

Within the Baptistery is the tomb of ex-Pope John XXIII (his name was Baldassare Cossa), built by Donatello and Michelozzo. The first bronze doors were commissioned by Andrea Pisano. Andrea Pisano succeeded Giotto as the 'caponaestro' (managing Artist) of the Duomo. Ghiberti and Brunelleshi were the two artists in competition to build the second set of doors, in 1401. Ghiberti won the competion, he built the second set of doors on the outside. Ghiberti was commissioned to build yet another set of doors (the third set). This set took him much longer, some 25 years to complete. They are called "The Doors of Paradise" (now in Replica). The original plates of the doors are now in The Museo Nazionale del Bargello.

Girolamo Ticciati built a large visonary, marble 'glory' of St. John the Baptist ascending to heaven, supported by angels. This was originally in the Baptistry but now it is in The Museo dell' Opera del Duomo, very close to the Duomo.

Giovanni Francesco Rustici created the sculptural group of St. John the Baptist preaching. Commissioned by Soderini (while he was 'Gonfaloniere' (Leader of Florence) in the late 1940's).

Sansovino began, but did not finish, marble figures of the Baptism of Chirst. The group was finished by Vincenzo Danti, and placed above the east doorway, over Ghiberti's Doors of Paradise. Vincenzo Dante also created a bronze group of 'The Execution of St. John the Baptist' now over the south door.

The Ponte Vecchio

The bridge across the Arno. In 1333 there was a great flood that washed this bridge away. The present bridge was designed by Taddeo Gaddi, thought of as a painter. This bridge was originally populated with leather vendors. The Leather tanners soaked their leather in horse piss. They used the bridge because of its airy nature. Now the bridge has many jewelry shops with gold and pearls for sale.

The Duomo (of Santa Maria del Fiori)

The word Duom is derived from the Latin "domus" or house (of God). The word Fiori means flower (the Lily, a symbol of Florence.) This is the major Church in Florence. The architect Arnolfo di Cambio began construction of the present day version of the Duomo in 1294. It was completed in 1887. Brunelleschi is the architect who solved the problem of creating the vast cupola for the church. He died in 1446 and was buried in the Duomo. The painter Giotto designed the Campanile along side of the Duomo. He started on the project in 1334. Giotto died in 1337 and is buried in the Duomo.

On the facade of the Duomo there is the large scale seated statue of Saint John the Evangelist by Donatello.

The Loggia (Statue Garden)

Just outside the Uffizi. This is sometimes called Loggia 'dei Lanzi'. It is in the Piazza della Signoria. It was built by the commune, as a place for official reception of visitors. Built by the artist Simone. Agnolo Gaddi designed the four carved icons in its vaults; they stand for: Justice, Prudence, Fortitude and Temperance.

Santa Croce

The Franciscan order started this church in about 1226. Galileo and Michelangelo are buried in this church. Their graves are in wonderful marble caskets along the walls of the church. Also buried here is Niccolo Machiavelli. Where Niccolo's Family tomb is located, one finds Giotto's Ascension of St. John, a wonderful work of art. There is a large white marble statue of Dante, put up 600 years after his death, outside of the church. Gaddi executed the murals of the life of the Virgin in the Baroncelli Chapel. Boroncelli was a local great mercantile family.

The Great Tomb of Leonardo Bruni is along the one wall of this church. Bruni was the Chancellor of Florence, he died in 1444. This tomb was designed by Bernardo Rossellino.

Carlo Marsuppini succedded Bruni as Chancellor of Florence. He died in 1453, and is buried opposite of Bruni in Santa Croce. The Marsuppini tomb was designed by Desiderio da Settignano. The sarcophagus is a wonderful work of art, constructed in marble.

On the facade of the Church is Donatello's Saint Louis.

Within The Piazza Santa Croce many parades were set up by Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano. These were pageant tournaments held in homage to local queens, with opportunities for dressing up in fantastic armour.

The Museo Nazionale del Bargello

This museum is across the street from the church of Badia. It was originally intended to be the seat of corporate government. The building looks like a fortrus similar construction to the Palazzo Vecchio. Within this Museum is the sculpted "The Marzocco", which is a lion statue clasping the civic shield of Florence, by Donatello. Within the shield is a lily flower, one of the city's several adopted symbols.

In this Museum there are the two bronze reliefs submitted by Ghiberti and Brunelleshi for the competition of who should build the second pair of doors for the Baptistery. These two panels both show a depiction of the Sacrifice of Isaac, about 16.5 x 14 inches.

The Museo di San Marco at Florence

Fra Angelico worked in the first half of the fifteenth century, he died in 1455. His Dominican Monastery is now a museum. He was a pious painter. He frescoed the small chapel of Nicholas V in the Vatican Rome, along with the halls of this "Museum". The architecture of this building complex is attributed to Michelozzo.

The Monastery is situated on the north end of the street called Via Larga. It was taken over by the Dominicans after Cosimo returned from exile. The artist Michelozzo re-modeled it under Cosimo. There is a pillared Library here with books aquired from Niccolo' Niccoli.

The Pitti Palace

This is a very large and impressive Palace across the Arno from The Palazzo Vecchio, it was later acquired by the Medici Family. The Palace was said to be purchased by Eleonoria di Toledo the wife of Cosimo. Behind the Palace is a great formal garden area, with grottoes and fountains. One fountain is the marble 'Fountain of Ocean' commissioned by Cosimo created by Giambologna. So the palace built by Luca Piti in the 15th century became the Seat of Grand Ducal Rule in Florence right up to the 18th century. The Gardens behind the Palace stretch all the way to the Porta Romana. They are called The Boboli Gardens. Tribolo was the artist who designed the hydraulic system for the Boboli Gardens.

A Fortress called The Fortezza del Belvedere is up on the crest of the hill behind The Palazzo Pitti. This was started by Francesco and taken over by his brother The Grand Duke Ferdinando I on his death.

The Palazzo Rucellai

This Palace was designed by Alberti for Giovanni Rucellai. (Rucellai's name is carved on the front facade of Santa Maria Novella)

The Palazzo Strozzi

This is the Palace of Filippo Strozzi. It was started by Benedetto da Maiano, he died in 1497. Construction continued by Giulano da Sangallo (Lorenzo de' Medici's favourite architect). Construction was supervised by Simone del Pollaiuolo (Builder of the Hall of the Great Council in The Palazzo Vecchio) Filippo's son married into the Medici Family.

The Piazza della Repubblica

This is the location of the ancient Forum or Market Place in Florence. It is also sometimes called Mercato Vecchio. The column that still stands in this square dated back to the time of Donatello.

The Palazzo Medici-Riccardi

This House was designed by Michelozzo, it contains the famous Chapel of Benozzo Gozzoli, with his frescoes of The Journey of the Magi. Also inside is "The Galleria" which was frescoed by Luca Giordano, as a tribute to the Medici family.

In 1459, the Duke of Milan, who was age 15 and the son of Francesco Sforza visited Florence and stayed at the Medici Palace.

Palazzo Corsini

This is a very large house. It is situated along the Arno. It is the house of Filippo Corsini a very wealthy banker.

Santa Maria Novella

The Dominican order started this church in about 1221. The outside of the building that is now seen was designed by Alberti in the mid 15th century. The Spanish Chapel was completed in about 1365 by Andrea Bonaiui, he frescoed the vault and the walls of this chapel. At the left is St. Thomas Aquinas (The Dominican).

Ghirlandaio frescoed much of the high alter of the main chapel, commissioned by Giovanni Tornabuoni. An important work here is 'The Angel Appearing to Zacharis', Ghirlandaio fills the work with notable Florentines, members of the Tornabuoni family. There is one scene of 'The Massacre of the Innocents'.

Filippino Lippi completed the frescoes in The Strozzi Chapel of Santa Maria Novella.

San Lorenzo

This Church could claim to be the oldest Church. It was founded by St. Ambrose of Milan in the 14th century. Brunelleshi designed the 15th Century sacristy for the Medici Family (Medici means 'Doctors'), within this church. Michelangelo desiged and built the new sacristy. Also within San Lorenzo, is the huge chapel of the Medici Grand Dukes. This chapel is built of dark semi-precious dark stones. Maria Carolina of Saxony, the first wife of the Grand Duke Leopold II (an Austrian) is buried here. I feel this is the most interesting and wonderful church in FLorence. It holds the most history of any of the churches in Florence.

Michelangelo designed a facade (a model exists in the Casa Buonarroti), but it was never built. The facade is still in simple bricks with no final trim at all.

Cosimo de' Medici is buried in the crypt below the church. His grave is within a vertical square pillar of red stone. The top of this pillar surfaces directly in front of the high alter of San Lorenzo. What a remarkable grave site. Inlaid around the square red surface stone are inscriptions telling of Cosimo as 'Pater Patriae'.

The pattened wood doors that lead into the Old Sacristy are superbly crafted works of art.

In about 1520, work on the New Sacristy started. Cardinal Giulio de Medici (Pope Clement VII) proposed the New Sacristy. He proposed that he also be buried in the New Sacristy, along with the other Medici Family members. However, he was never buried here. Within the New Sacristy by Michelangelo are buried:


At San Lorenzo there is The Laurentian Library, with its famous staircase. This staircase and room was designed by Michelangelo for Pope Clement VII (Giulio a Medici (1478-1534)). Many books and manuscripts were recalled to Florence: Collections of Piero and his son Lorenzo The Magnificent, and even of Cosimo's. This Library was open to the public in 1571. Michelangelo started the design process in the early 1520's, in the opening years of Clement VII's reign. Michelangelo had left Florence forever, before the staircase was finished. He wrote from ROME (where he was working on the Sistine Chapel's Last Judgement), to his friend Vasari. He described the staircase and sent a clay model of it. Bartolomeo Ammanati a Florentine architect built it per the Michelangelo design; however, it was built in stone, not wood as Michelangelo had specified.

Cosimo, The First Grand Duke of Tuscany (1519-1574) planned for a 'Third Sacristy' at San Lorenzo, to serve as a mausoleum for his immediate family. Artist Vasari was designing it in 1568. The winner of the competition for the design was the illegitimate child Don Giovanni de' Medici. The 'Chapel of the Princes' began to take shape under Ferdinando I in 1604. The overseer and architect was Matteo Nigetti. Also Buontalenti worked on the design. It was never finished. The alter was planned to be much higher then the present one. All of the statues of the Medici are not there. Only sculpted are the two Medici statues of Ferdinando I and his son Cosimo II, by Pietro and Ferdinando Tacca.

The Bigallo (Bigallo Portico)

This building is just to the left of the Baptistery (across the street). There is a Loggia (Arched portch area) on the corner of this building. Within the outside Loggia of this Building are Frescos of ordinary life in Florcence. Inside the Building there is a fresco of The Misericordia Madonna, at the base of which is an image of the Baptistery and Palazzo Vecchio, the unfinished facade of the Duomo and the partly finished Campanile.

Santa Maria Nuova

This Church is right behind the Duomo. Originally it was a hospital religious order that set up this Church.

The Orsanmichele

This is a Church on the road between the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio. It contains the enormous carved and enameled, pinnacled and pedimented tabernacle by Orcanga. The painting inside of the tabernacle is of the Virgin and Child by Bernardo Daddi. Originally this church was an open Loggia in 1336 used as a Grain Market, Grain Storage area, and Shrine. The Market left and it became a civic religious center, as the guilds stayed involved with it. It stayed open to the air until 1360 when Organa's tabernacle had just been completed. This must have been wonderful when it was opened to the air on one side. The tabernacle commemorates the miracles performed by the image of Madonna.

Also in this church is Donatello's statue of Saint Mark. Inside is the bronze goup of St. Thomans and Christ by Verrocchio.

Santissima Annunziata

The Servites (a religious order) started this church in about 1248. To get to this Church from the Duomo take Via Dei Servi about two blocks, it is very near to the Museum of Accademia (The Accademia di Belle Arti) Brunelleshi created this Piassa with the Ospedale degli Innocente on the one side. Tacca added a pair of fountains in about 1643.

A small cloister by Michelozzo is at the entry to this church. The Loggia along the facade was finished in about 1604. Piero contributed the corinthian-pillered Tabernacle over the precious fresco of the Annunciation. Piero had his private cell, which he could enter un-noticed, to pray close to the works of art he had built. The Loggia in the Piazza Santissima Annunziata was crafted by Baccio d' Agnolo and Antonio da Sangallo.

The Feroni Chapel is a wonderful work of art, it was crafted by Battista Foggini (1652-1725).

San Giorgio alla Costa

This church is rarly open to the public. St. Georges was designed by Foggini at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Inside it looks very rococo.

Saint Michele e Gaetano.

This church was crafted by Gherardo and Francesco Silvani. It is located in the Piazza Antinori. The Medici shield (coat of arms) is at the top of the facade. It was finished in 1648. Its bronze crucifix is by Francesco Susini.

Santa Maria del Carmine

This Church was started by the Carmelite Religious order in about 1268. It holds the wonderful Corsini Chapel.

Also there is The Brancacci Chapel Frescos, which were done by Masolino and Masaio. Filippino Lippi helped with these compositions, around 1480.

Also in this church is the wonderful St. Andrew Corsini by Foggini, Silvani and Neapolitan Giordano. St. Andrew Corsini was the Bishop of Fiesole, and he was canonised in 1629.

The Church of San Miniato

Sanit Minias was an early martyr. He was executed outside the city walls. His body was found where the church was constructed. San Miniato has a zebra style striping with white and blackgreen marble. San Salvatore al Monte is another church that was built nearby.

Badia

This is a small early Church fonded by Willa, mother of Ugo, Margrave of Tuscany. Dante reffered to her as 'gran barone' in his Paradiso. This church is right across the street from The Palazzo del Podesta which is The Bargello.

Santo Spirito

This is a Church on the Oltrorno (the far side of the Arno). It was started by the Augustinian Religious order. Niccolo Niccoli is burried here. This Church was designed by Filippo Brunelleshi.

Botticelli created a great alterpiece for this church of the two Saints John with the Virgin and Child, executed for Giovanni de Bardi. It's now in the Gemaldegalerie in Berlin.

Piazza Santa Trinita

Within this Piazza stand an ancient Granite Column sent from Rome to Cosimo I by Pope Pius IV as a gift. A statue of Justice is on the top of the column.

Palazzo Davanzati

This is a Museum house showing how a large family would have lived in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Davizzi family house dates from about 1349.

The Medici Villa at Poggio a Caiano

This was the Medici home outside the city. This Villa was frescoed by Andrea del Sarto, Vasari, and Franciabigio.

The Mozzi Palace

Built by the Mozzi Family on the Oltrarno. It is facing the Ponte alle Grazie. The Mozzi's were bankers.

Ognissanti

This is a Church started by Umiliati religious order in about 1256.

Palazzo Bardi Busini

Attributed to Brunelleschi, this is a true Renaissance Classical Palace with a wonderful pillared courtyard.

The Porta Romana

This is on the Sothern side of Florence.

People who made Florence

Ghiberti

Sculpted the "Doors of Paradise" on the Baptistery.

Dante

Wrote "The Inferno".

Donatello

Donatello(his real name: Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi) is famous for his bronze statue of David. This is the first post-antique life size nude statue. Most likely it was commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici. Also, Donatello crafted the polychromed wooden statue of St. Mary Magdalene, which is now in the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo.

Botticelli

Botticelli received direct commissions form the Medici. He was chosen by a Medici commissioner, Guaspare del Lama, to paint an 'Adoration of the Magi' for his chapel in Santa Maria Novella. It is now in the Uffizi. In this famous work of art, different generations of the Medici men are shown as the Magi. Botticelli died in 1510.

Petrarch

A Poet and Scolar.

Verrocchio

Active as a painter, sculptor, and goldsmith. Leonardo da Vinci was trained in his studio. He created the famous 'Boy with a Dolphin', executed for The Villa at Careggi. He also created the sarcohpagus of Piero and Giovanni de' Medici in San Lorenzo. He created a huge equestrian statue in bronze to be put up in Venice for the deceased Bartolomeo Colleoni. He crafted the bronze group of St. Thomas and Christ in The Orsanmichele. Verrocchio did a terra cotta bust of Lorenzo the Magnificent, it is now at The National Gallery of Art, Wasthington, part of the Samuel H. Kress collection.

Giuliano de Medici (1453-1478)

He was murdered in the Pazzi Conspiracy, which occured in 1478. He was a son of Piero (1416-1469). On Sunday April 26th 1478, at the moment of the elevation of the Host during high mass at The Duomo, Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici were attacked by a group of conspirators. Giuliano died immediately, by sword and dagger blows to the head. Lorenzo, wounded, escaped into the new sacristy at San Lorenzo, as the bronze doors were pulled shut. The conspirators included The Archbishop of Pisa as well as several members of The Pazzi Family. The Archbishop was captured and hanged for this deed. Lorenzo de Medici went off to Naples to negotiate peace, and he came back on March 25th 1480.

Antonio Pollaiuolo

He was Ghiberti's assistant. He worked on the tomb of Sixtus IV in Rome, and on the tomb of Pope Innocent VIII.

Boccaccio

Wrote his famous "Decameron". He died in 1375.

Machiavel

Items to be added later.

Giambologna

Created The Rape of a Sabine Woman now in the Loggia dei Lanzi. He is famous for his Chapel of Sant' Antonino, in the Church of San Marco. St. Antonio was a revered Archbishop of Florence, who was canonised in 1523. (A sketch of him for the Alter is now in the Uffizi ) Giambologna is buried in a chapel in Santissima Annunzita.

Francesco Albertini

Published the first 'Guide book to the modern works of art in an Italian city'. It was published in 1510 and called 'The Memoriale'.

Milton

Items to be added later.

Leon Battista Alberti

Connected with the banking industry. He favored the church of Santa Croce. There is a large monument to him within Santa Croce.

Saronarola

He is famous for his Lenten Sermons of 1491, against Medici tyranny. He fought to his death for civic freedom and law against tyranny and absolute personal rule. He was the Dominican Prior of San Marco.

The 'bonfires of Vanities' (in The Piazza della Signoria) are associated with Savonarola. Priceless works of art were thrown on pyres and burt daily. One fire was to destroy 'all studies of the nude'.

When Charles VIII of France invaded Florence and banished Piero de' Medici from the city in 1492, Savonarola believed him to be a sort of savior. Savonarola was looked upon as a sort of prophet. He was eventually arrested on May 23 1498, and burnt alive in The Piazza della Signoria. Today a grey plaque marks the exact spot on the pavement where he was burnt.

Galileo Galilei

Dedicated to Grand Duke Cosimo II his 'Siderius Nunciou' (Study of the stars) in 1610. He descovered 4 new planets orbiting around Jupiter, and named them 'The Medicean Starts' in honour of Cosimo II and his three brothers.

Vincenzo Viviani's house is a tribute to Galilei with his bust out front over the top of the door, with detailed praise of Galilei on the walls. This house is on the Via Sant Antonino.

The protection given to Galilei by the Medici was tremendous, it stopped any Papal condemnation of him.

Pontormo

An artist who painted floats for the Medici carnival / parade of 1513. This carnival celebrated the return of the banished Medici Family.

Baccio Bandinelli

His famous Hercules and Cacus (dated 1534) stands in The Piazza della Signoria. His tomb is in Santissima Annunziata, where he sculpted the group of The Dead Christ with Nicodemus.

Fra Bartolommeo

A Painter in Florence who died in 1517.

Giacometti

Items to be added later.

Luca Pitti

Items to be added later.

Benvenuto Cellini

Artist in the time of Cosimo I, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. He created a bust of Cosimo I which is now in The Museo Nazionale del Bargello. He also created a bronze statue of the mythology hero Perseus. Perseus is known for outstanding bravery against the moster of the Gorgon, Medusa. He released Andromeda, who was chained to a rock as a sacrifice, and married her. It is now in the Loggia dei Lanzi.

Andrea del Sarto

Frescoed a wonderful Last Supper at the church of San Salvi. The church wa much destroyed when Florence was sacked in the early 1500's. The work still stands in the Museo di San Salvi.

Giotto

A painter who was appointed 'Capomaestro' of the Duomo, this is the lead artist during construction. He died in January of 1337.

Cimabue

A painter.

Masaccio

A painter who died young, at age twenty eight. He is famous for his 'Trinity with Donors' fresco in Santa Maria Novella. This fresco says at the bottom: "I was what you are, and what I am you shall be". He also painted 'St. Peter Healing with his Shadow' in the Brancacci Chapel of Santa Maria del Carmine.

Giovanni Villani

Person who chronicled Florence starting in 1300. He died of plague in 1348 and his brother Matteo continued the writings.

Ugolino di Nerio

An artist who painted the High Alterpiece of Santa Croce.

Francesco Talenti

Added the upper storeys to Giotto's Campanile.

Anna Maria Luisa

She inherited all the Medici Treasure: artwork, books, furniture and jewels, assembled over four centuries. She bequeathed all of it to the new Grand Duke, on condition that nothing was to be removed from Florence.

Joanna of Austria

She married Francesco de Medici (1541-1580) in 1565. The Marriage folled the 'Descrizione', which was a parade of Joanna into Florence. The streets were dressed up for the entry. The Artists Giambologna and Buontalenti contributed to the festivities.

Orcagni

A painter.

Bonaiuti

A painter.

Gentile da Fabriano

An artist, who composed a famous 'Adoration of the Magi'.

Ghiberti

An artist.

Agnolo Gaddi

A painter.

Taddeo Gaddi

A painter.

Ghirlandaio

A painter. In 1490 Michelangelo (at age 15) was briefly his pupil.

Niccolo' Machiavelli

A writer. He wrote 'The Prince' and a play called 'Mandragola' which was a comidy. He if famous for his work of 'A History of Florence' commisioned from him by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici, the future Pope Clement VII.

Francesco Guicciardini

Wrote 'A History of Italy' published in 1561. He died in 1540.

Duccio

A painter

Uccello

A painter.

Fra Angelico

A painter.

Fra Filippo Lippi

A painter. His son was Filippino Lippi, who was a student of Botticelli. Filippino completed the Brancacci Chapel in Santa Maria del Carmine when Masaccio and Masolino had left Florence with the project unfinished.

Pope Sixtus IV

He approved of The Pazzi Conspirators. Maybe because he would be able to use the Florentine painters on the frescoes in his Sistine Chapel in Rome. Ghirlandaio and Botticelli worked on the Sistine Chapel in Rome, along with Perugino and Signorelli.