Political messages in the Medici Palace garden

Abstract

Throughout his political career, probably the most constant problem Cosimo de' Medici faced was his image. As the functional ruler of the republic of Florence, he had to display a certain amount of wealth and behave in princely ways in order to meet noble rulers of other states on equal ceremonial terms. Yet, since he had no legal title of authority, the moral codes of the Florentine public restricted him from displaying too much wealth, lest he overstep his social status. As a result, Cosimo had to maintain a delicate balance between appearing wealthy but not ostentatious. The various princes who visited or stayed at his palace on the Via Larga (now Via Cavour) or his villas obviously found him to be a most worthy host and, in fact, a splendid one, as is evident from comments on his regal bearing made by the prince among princes, Pope Pius II. And, yet, in front of this very same pope, when asked for help in a crusade, Cosimo replied coolly, You well know how limited is the power of a private citizen under popular government. Cosimo was obviously quite adept at projecting the appropriate image, either magnificent prince or humble citizen, at the right moments.