The Medici and maiolica in the time of the Florentine Republic

Professor Timothy Wilson

The period covered by this talk covers the golden age of Renaissance art and culture in Florence, from the rise to political dominance of the Medici family in the person of Cosimo "il vecchio" in 1434 to the appointment of Alessandro de' Medici as first Duke of Florence in 1532. Successive members of the Medici family, notably Lorenzo "il magnifico" were personally interested in ceramics. The most brilliant factory associated with the Medici was at their villa of Cafaggiolo, north of Florence; while the town of Montelupo, on the Arno, became one of the most productive of all commercial maiolica centres.