The Medicis Code

From a modest beginning in 13th century Tuscany, to wealth, power, and influence, there is no escaping the impact of the Famille Medicis. Having amassed a great fortune in banking, the patriarch of this great clan solidified his position in society with the acquisition of Fine Art, the taste for which was passed down from generation to generation for over 400 years. Collectors and patrons of Fra Angelico, Raphael, Michel Ange, and Botticelli, the Medicis had exquisite taste and the money to feed it. A passion for ancient artifacts led Cosme de Medicis; Duc de Florence to purchase "L'Orator", a sculpture from 200 B.C. excavated from Roman ruins. He founded a school of Fine Arts where budding artists now famous flourished. His descendants Catherine and Marie married French kings Henry II and Henry IV respectevely, and the lineage of the fruit they bore included the likes of Louis XIV, Phillip of Spain, and Mary Stuart. The family boasted of two Popes, Clément VII, and Leon X, and a Cardinal; Leopold de Medicis. Catherine de Medicis was close friends with Nostradamas, astrology being the leading science of the day. When Gallileo was being sought by the Inquisition and under house arrest, he was protected by the Medicis and encouraged to continue his scientific studies. For this was a family of progressives; having a hand in the infancy of Opera, imagining geometric gardens adopted by the French, and establishing cabinets dedicated to medicine and physics. Important pieces from the Trésors de Medicis are currently on exhibition through January 31st at the Musée Maillol, 61 rue Grenelle, metro ligne 12 Rue du Bac. Open everyday from 10h30-19h and until 21h30 on Friday's. Tariff 11 euro and 5 euro for the audio guide is highly recommended. You will see sculpture by Michel Ange, painting by Botticelli, the aforementioned "L'Orator", and much much more! (Photos are strictly forbidden) To learn more about this intriguing family, just Google "Medicis"