Notes 10/11- Italian renaissance and italy and other things relating to italian-ness

• Cosimo di Medici wanted to build the biggest dome ever to top the cathedral, and he had to find an architect able to do so. 
• Brunellesci is the constructor of the dome
• Giovanni, Cosimo's father, his health began to fail while the dome started to be built. 

• We are watching a video now, but we also watched it last year, so here are my notes on it from last year:
• Medici- The godfathers of the renaissance
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medici
• At the beginning of the 15th century, an illicit trade began
• Their prize that they sought laid in the confines of the church, but was not physical treasure.
• They were after knowledge. They were searching for lost secrets from the ancient world
• Ancient learning was carried back to Florence.
• Florence was the place to be at the turning of the 14th and 15th centuries.
• Filippo Brunelleschi- he was a genius, but he wasn't someone you would necessarily want to know.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschi
• This was the first time that columns had been used for structural support since the days of ancient Rome, and Brunelleschi would spark an architectural revolution.
• Brunelleschi set his focus on the problem of the dome, with the backing of the Medicis. The churches were offering a lot of money for someone that would be able to figure out how to build the done.
• He was permitted to go on with his plans.
• His plan to make the dome work was new and completely original, so it was risky.
• Brunelleschi began getting old, and he was trying to get around it.
• The Medici bean becoming more powerful, going over their enemy family in Florence. (the Albizzi)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albizzi
• Cosimo, the ruling Medici of the time, was at the mercy of his enemies.
• Cosimo was found guilty and faced execution. But he had friends even from the enemy camp, and he worked out a plan to get out. He survived, but he and his family were banished and the Albizzi now were in charge of Florence. Brunelleschi was thrown in jail and work on the dome was halted.
• Within a year, the Albizzi had lost control of the people, and turned against the people.
• Cosimo had friends who were agents of the pope, and there exile would soon be over.
• The Medici took over again and were back in business.
• Money began to flood back into Florence. Brunelleschi lead his workers back to the dome.
• High political competition is expressed through patronage in the Renaissance.
• In the renaissance, you only made art when someone asked you to and paid you for it, not to put out in the shop window for someone to buy.
• Cosimo understood that you got better work out of people when they are happy.
• Brunelleschi invented perspective in art, which makes it look like 3D. It revolutionizes art, and how we see. It begins in the 15th century.
• He needed to prevent bricks from falling inward as he got up to the top.
• His herringbone design was untried and untested.
• His plan worked! he could build the dome without any scaffolding or support.
• It was the greatest architectural feat in the western world.
• Cosimo invited people from all over the world to celebrate and show of their great artwork and amazing dome.
• After Cosimo was getting old, no one knew who would fill his shoes and take on after him.

• Okay, now i am also taking notes this year: 
• Cosimo was in great danger from his enemies. 
• the Albizzi captured them and Brunelleschi was thrown in jail
• Lattteeerrr Cosimo was offered control of the city of florence and he accepted. 
• the Medici were back in business
• money began to flood back into the Florence, and Brunelleschi led his workers back to the dome.
• The Medici bank was made so big and every single person had to pay to the bank. 
• It was the most profitable business in Europe. 

• The financial power of the Medici transfers into political power. 
• The Medici bank offered lines of credit to catholic nobility throughout Europe. 
• The pope himself is who saved the Medici to bring them back into power.