National Geographic History - July 2019

POWERFUL PATRONS

Botticelli needed patrons to fund his works,

and he found financial backing among the pow-

erful Medici family of Florence. The Medici

commissioned a variety of projects from the

artist, including portraits, religious scenes, and

allegorical depictions of mythological figures.

In his commissions for the Medici, Botticelli

carefully selected subject matter, symbols, and

poses to exalt the family and celebrate their

Renaissance virtues. Placing the Medici in reli-

gious scenes, as in the 1475-76 work “Adoration

of the Magi,” served to cast them in a pious

light, reflecting the belief of the time: That the

rich and powerful could be devout Christians

while pursuing wealth and worldliness at the

same time.

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