Cosimo de Medici
1
8.2
- proper noun
- /ˈkoʊzɪmoʊ də ˈmɛdəʧi/
- Known as the father of the Italian Renaissance, Cosimo de Medici established the Medici family's prominence through his banking business.
Examples
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Historians often credit Cosimo de Medici with laying the foundations for the Medici family's enduring influence.
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With the support of Cosimo de Medici, many artists and thinkers flourished in fifteenth-century Florence.
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Cosimo de Medici played a central role in making Florence a center of culture during the Renaissance.
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The famous Cosimo de Medici was a key figure in the Renaissance.
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Did Cosimo de Medici really support so many artists?
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Cosimo de Medici significantly influenced the development of Renaissance art by funding numerous artists in Florence.
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As a statesman, Cosimo de Medici transformed Florence into a powerful city-state in Italy.
Synonyms
An Italian banker and political leader in Florence known for supporting artists during the Renaissance
An Italian banker and political leader who helped build Medici power in Florence and supported artists
Surface Forms
Morphology
Cosimo + de + Medici
The string is partly compositional: 'Cosimo' is a personal name and 'de Medici' literally signals 'of the Medici family', so a learner who knows the constituents can infer this is a person from the Medici family. However, the specific historical roles (banker, statesman, patron of the arts) are not derivable from the parts, so the expression is not fully transparent.
Etymology
Cosimo de Medici was a rich banker in Florence who used his money to 'support' artists and thinkers. By paying and protecting them he helped make the city a center of culture and built his family's power, so his name is linked to the 'Renaissance' and the Medici rise to power.