Literary Patronage during Renaissance

Late middle ages witnessed a sudden revival of art and literature influenced by classical models that were brought back to Europe by Greek scholars and artists fleeing the collapsing Byzantine Empire. This movement later became known as the Renaissance. Originating in Florence, it quickly spread to Venice, Milan, Genoa, Rome and later, the rest of Europe. However, the genius artists and authors were not the only ones to claim the credit for their art. Perhaps, the wealthy and well-respected families that have sponsored them are to thank for the renaissance to occur in the first place (at least in the form we know it today.)

Patrons sponsored and often times promoted the works of such artists in order to develop the art in their cities or as a demonstration of wealth and power for their own families. In the 14th century Florence, Venice, Milan and other European cities were ruled or indirectly controlled by powerful and wealthy families such as the Medici, Borgia, Sforza, Visconti, Albizzi, Ferrara, Pazzi and so on. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, enjoyed the patronage of the Medici, Borgia, Sforza as well as King Francis I of France. The patrons had much greater say in the artwork produced as they often dictated the content of the art. These cities competed both militarily and culturally amongst each other and artists switched allegiances faster than weather.

In Elizabethan England, the success of any emerging artist depended on Queen’s approval. A lover of splendor and bohemian life habits, Queen Elizabeth often found herself in the company of poets such as Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, John Donne and others. They would spend days and nights in an informal environment to discuss and read poetry. In return for her support, poets proclaimed Queen’s glory to the world as she appeared multiple times in the works of the above mentioned gentleman.

The motives and intentions are for the history to judge. However, the fact is that monarchs, nobles, and wealthy families played a great role in the art of Renaissance.