Essay, Research Paper: Life In A Reinassiance City

Life in A Renaissance City
the most varied forms of human development are found united in the history of Florence, which in this sense deserves the name of the first modern State in the world, (Burckhardt)
Florence was the birthplace of the renaissance and the perfect example of a renaissance city. The city was founded during the Roman Empire but didn t become important until the time of the renaissance. They had guilds, the patronage system, spectacular architecture, and was the home to some of the most important and influential renaissance figures and artists. (Beers)
All of the occupations were controlled by a guild. Guilds were a group of people that belong to the same professions and set a standard set of guidelines. Everyone belonged to a guild, not just the rich. A poor person would serve as an apprentice to a guild member. The more important guilds were the silk and cloth traders as well as bankers and judges. Lesser guilds were the butchers, blacksmiths and masons. (Bynog)
In the early history of Florence, there were battles between the guilds, which involved ransacking the city. This demonstrates how important the guilds were. They were more than just corporations or labor unions, (Bynog). The 12 guilds that controlled trade were the key to Florence s commercial success. This was because the wealthy members of the guilds usually held government positions as well and were very influential in the community (Focus on Florence). Other purposes guilds served were charity. They donated money to the city and to hospitals.
Since Florence was not a coastal city it got little money from trade. Much of its income came from its banking. The Florentine gold coin known as the florin was of such reliable purity that it was the standard coinage throughout Europe (Focus on Florence). Many small poor families became rich and famous banking families and spread throughout Europe.
When not working, the residents of Florence had artistic forms of entertainment. Lorenzo de Medici provided plays based on the suffering of Jesus on a regular basis. Also, on the saint day for Saint John, who was the patronage saint of Florence, there was a horse race that went throughout the whole city. Also, in the time before Lent, great celebrations were held called carnivals. These were great productions and very elaborate (Focus on Florence).
Florence was made a beautiful city by its artistic guilds, but they didn t pay for themselves. Money for the decorations of the city came from patrons. These were rich clergy or government officials who paid artists to do work for them. This benefited the artist as a source of income but it benefited the patron as well. If you sponsored many artists it was a sign of wealth and importance. It benefited the artist and the patron and in turn, benefited the city (Bynog).
Also, Notability and credibility went hand-in-hand, (Bynog). If an excellent artist said something it was assumed it was true. If the artist were being sponsored then it would reflect back on his patron. He would receive prestige and nobility just for having the artist as a client.
A good example of this is Michelangelo. He was sponsored by Julius II to paint the Sistine Chapel. I know that. I don t know of anything else that Julius did. He is remembered in my head as sponsoring Michelangelo. He earned his place in history for having a good artist as a client.
Florentine architecture was given a jump-start when Brunelleschi domed the Maria del Fiore, the Cathedral of Florence. Others had tried to do it and failed so the Cathedral was left with a 140 hole (Focus on Florence). When he was asked to try, he and Donatello went to Rome to study the classical works. He returned and created the dome perfectly. It stands today as it did then except for the support-giving lantern in the center. This was completed after his death but to his specifications (Burckhardt).
Florence was the model Renaissance City. It had every aspect of the renaissance contained or invented within it. The middle class was large and wealthy and the nobles supported them. The city was entertained by artistic means and the buildings showed signs of Roman architecture. Florence was the center and the start of the renaissance and its influence can still to this day be seen around the world.