Art Patronage, Family, and Gender in Renaissance Florence
The Tornabuoni

This book examines a Renaissance Florentine family's art patronage, even for women, inspired by literature, music, love, loss, and religion.

Maria DePrano (Author)

9781108416054, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 February 2018

446 pages, 107 b/w illus. 16 colour illus.
26.1 x 18.7 x 2.3 cm, 1.11 kg

'… represents a thoughtful, important move in this direction. I sincerely hope she will be followed by others.' Jane Tylus, Early Modern Women: An Interdisciplinary Journal

This book examines the multi-media art patronage of three generations of the Tornabuoni family, who commissioned works from innovative artists, such as Sandro Botticelli and Rosso Fiorentino. Best known for commissioning the fresco cycle in Santa Maria Novella by Domenico Ghirlandaio, a key monument of the Florentine Renaissance, the Tornabuoni ordered a number of still-surviving art works, inspired by their commitment to family, knowledge of ancient literature, music, love, loss, and religious devotion. This extensive body of work makes the Tornabuoni a critically important family of early modern art patrons. However, they are further distinguished by the numerous objects they commissioned to honor female relations who served in different family roles, thus deepening understanding of Florentine Renaissance gender relations. Maria DePrano presents a comprehensive picture of how one Florentine family commissioned art to gain recognition in their society, revere God, honor family members, especially women, and memorialize deceased loved ones.

1. Introducing a family: The Tornabuoni
2. Honoring a sister: Domenico Ghirlandaio's portrait of Lucrezia Tornabuoni
3. Immortalizing a family: the Tornabuoni family medals by Niccolò Fiorentino
4. Praising a bride: Niccolò Fiorentino's medals for Giovanna degli Albizzi
5. Complimenting a new couple: Ghirlandaio-School Spalliere for Lorenzo and Giovanna
6. Commemorating the family: the Tornabuoni Chapel at Santa Maria Novella
7. Memorializing a lost wife: Ghirlandaio's paintings for Giovanna degli Albizzi
8. Celebrating a second marriage: Botticelli's frescoes for the Tornabuoni Villa
9. Continuing the tradition: Lorenzo's sons as art patrons
10. Conclusion
Appendix A. Giovanni Tornabuoni's letters to Lucrezia Tornabuoni
Appendix B. Tornabuoni inventory bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Political corruption [JPZ], Renaissance art [ACND], History of art: Byzantine & Medieval art c 500 CE to c 1400 [ACK]