Lorenzo the Magnificent

1 9.9

A ruler of Florence in the late 1400s who supported Renaissance artists like Michelangelo

proper noun
/lɔˈrɛnzoʊ ðə məˈɡnɪfɪsənt/

: Lorenzo de Médici

As ruler of Florence, Lorenzo the Magnificent fostered an environment that allowed Renaissance art to flourish.

Examples

Many historians credit Lorenzo the Magnificent with supporting Michelangelo early in his career.
The Medici family's influence reached its peak under Lorenzo the Magnificent during the late 15th century.
Many consider Lorenzo the Magnificent to be one of the greatest patrons of the arts.
Did Lorenzo the Magnificent really commission works from Michelangelo?
As ruler of Florence, Lorenzo the Magnificent fostered an environment that allowed Renaissance art to flourish.
Many historians credit Lorenzo the Magnificent with supporting Michelangelo early in his career.
The Medici family's influence reached its peak under Lorenzo the Magnificent during the late 15th century.

Synonyms

Lorenzo de' Medici

vsLorenzo the Magnificent

1 9.1

An Italian leader in Renaissance Florence who supported artists and learning

is the honorific title for that person rather than the family name

Surface Forms

Lorenzo the Magnificent main

Morphology

Lorenzo + the + magnificent

The phrase is compositionally obvious at the surface: a learner who knows 'Lorenzo', 'the', and 'magnificent' will understand it refers to a person named Lorenzo who is described as 'magnificent'. However, the expression is a fixed historical epithet referring to a particular Renaissance statesman and patron; that specific referent and cultural/historical meaning cannot be derived from the words alone, so understanding is only partial.

Etymology

Lorenzo the Magnificent comes from his rule of Florence and his great support for artists and learning. People called him the Magnificent because he used his money and power to pay artists, build beautiful things, and help the city, so today the name reminds us he was a rich and generous supporter of the arts.