Laurentian Patronage in the Palazzo Vecchio: The Frescoes of the Sala Dei Gigli

Abstract

The nature of Lorenzo de' Medici's artistic patronage in the Palazzo Vecchio is considered in this essay. By constitutional means and through political patronage, Lorenzo shaped the building committee of the Palazzo Vecchio into an instrument of his artistic patronage. The process by which work was commissioned and supervised by the members of the building committee under the direction of Lorenzo is revealed by a study of the fresco decoration of the Sala dei Gigli (1482–90). Lorenzo's influence and interests are demonstrated in the form, iconography, and progress of this work.