Art History at the Library

Botticelli and Florence, 1434-94: Politics, Patronage, and Paranoia

15th-century Florence was laden with treachery, conspiracy, and paranoia, a striking backdrop to the artistic flourishing facilitated by the family ruling the city from behind the scenes—the Medici. We'll follow the development of political tension and turmoil at the dawn of the Renaissance, examining how art became weaponized as propaganda by the Florentine state. Looking closely at the work of Botticelli and his contemporaries, we'll discuss altarpieces, portraits, and wedding gifts, recognizing the potential for artists' lives and work to serve as a window into their time in history.

About Weili Jin:

Weili Jin has been passionate about the history of art ever since first seeing Botticelli in the second grade. Ten years later, he continues to specialize in the paintings of Renaissance Florence, particularly the patronage of the Medici. Most recently, he has worked to develop the YouTube channel “Narrative Art History,” a lecture series that contextualizes Renaissance art in a continuous, chronological narrative.

For more information about The Close Looking Project initiative, visit closelooking.org

For more information visit: sandiego.librarymarket.com