The Medici
Medici Grand Dukes
- Cosimo I (1519-1574)
- Francesco I (1541-1587)
- Ferdinand I (1549-1609)
- Cosimo II (1590-1621)
- Ferdinand II (1610-1670)
- Cosimo III (1642-1723)
- Gian Gastone (1671-1737)
Formation of a Grand Duchy
As the family tree suggests, Cosimo de’ Medici, known as Cosimo I (1519-1574), represented a minor branch of the Medici family, not the branch that had produced Lorenzo the Magnificent, Pope Leo X, and Pope Clement VII. Cosimo’s installation as duke of Florence and eventually grand duke of Tuscany began a line of hereditary rule that would last another two centuries. In his drive to consolidate political power, Cosimo continued the Medici family patronage of arts and scholarship. In particular, he created important and influential institutions emphasizing the study of nature.
See the discussion in Flora of the Medici emblem as used in the Ricettario fiorentine di nuovo illustrato.
Paolo Boccone.
Museo di fisica e di esperienze.
Venice: Io. Baptistam Zuccato, 1697.
Shown here is a detail from a folding plate containing plants plus a fish.
Baccio Baldini.
Vita di Cosimo Medici, Primo Duca di Toscana.
Florence: Bartolomeo Sermartelli, 1578.
Published by Cosimo’s physician, this biography highlights his impact on life in Tuscany. Cosimo’s interest in nature helped shape the interests of members of his court and of his successors, including Francesco, to whom this work is dedicated.
Benedetto Varchi.
Storia fiorentina.
Cologne: Pietro Martello, 1721.
This work, which contains an extensive family tree, includes multiple versions of the Medici emblem.