1. World Press – Art and Religion during the Italian Renaissance
By Sara Schacht
PART 1 – History & Medici Family
(Tony) opening
The birthplace of the Renaissance!
Italy is the epicenter of the Renaissance Age that sparked the enlightenment in arts and
sciences. From Florence came famed legends such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, Cellini and
there too began the Age of Enlightenment.
(Angela)  sound bite on Renaissance @ Pitti Palace AND (Grant)  Renaissance
explained
Much credit must be given to the wealthy families, like the infamous Medicis, who
supported the arts and humanities and made Florence the heartbeat of the Renaissance.
The Medici family, masters in commerce and banking, quickly rose to dominate Florence in
the 1400s.
(Angela) info on Cosimo the Elder @Pitti Palace
Florence today is a hub for tourists seeking to marvel at the masterful works of
Renaissance art, much of which is housed within the Catholic Church.
(Father) sound bites + footage w/ translation
Artists were confined to the Churches that commissioned their work. When Florence
became a flourishing city for business and craftsmanship, wealthy families like the Medici
commissioned the work of artists who moved away from the Church.
(Tony)01590/01589/01578 “rel. & art were sources of power” THEN/OR
(Tony) 01556/01545 “nobody knew this better than Medici” OR
(Angela)

2. PART 2- Renaissance Artists & Notable Pieces
The Medici’s commissioned dozens of artists who made their everlasting mark in history
thanks to their patrons’ support. One of these famed artists was Michelangelo Buonarroti.
(Grant) OR (Angela) sound bites.
As a young man, Michelangelo was admired by Florence’s Lorenzo dei Medici and given
home in his palace for two years. Upon Medici’s death, Michelangelo left Florence and in
1497 was commissioned by the Catholic Church to sculpt the Pieta for the Old St. Peter’s
Basilica in Rome.
(Grant)  sound bites + footage of Pieta????
The success of the Pieta earned Michelangelo the opportunity to create his famous statue of
David. Commissioned by the Santa Maria Cathedral in Florence, Michelangelo was asked to
sculpt the Biblical figure of David to grace one of the alcoves high on the cathedral exterior.
(Grant) OR (Angela) @ Santa Croce sound bites AND (Christian)  footage
Upon the statue’s completion in 1504, the Church was so amazed by the perfection and
mastery Michelangelo had displayed, it was decided that the David would remain at ground
level where it could be appreciated by the masses. From a political standpoint, the figure of
David had already become a symbol of the city’s republican government and Florence
officials agreed that the statue would be placed in front of the Uffizi which served as the
house of government.
(Angela)  sound bites @ Santa Croce for politicalized David
This was ironic for Michelangelo as it was the Medici’s who provided for him early in his
career. Now his statue would stand as a strike against their power in Florence.
The Republican government of Florence would not stand forever. When Cosimo I dei
Medici was unexpectedly appointed Duke of Florence, the symbol of David would be
replaced by a monarchy.
(Angela) sound bite @ Santa Croce on Cosimo I

3. Shortly after the appointment of the new Grand Duke, assassination conspiracies were
whispered in the streets of Florence. It was no surprise that the Duke would learn of this
and take action to make an example of anyone who attempted to overthrow the monarchy.
(Angela)  sound bite @ Santa Croce on Perseus
A coincidence occurred after the brutal killings. As a patron of the arts Cosimo
commissioned Benvenuto Cellini to sculpt a bronze statue of Perseus holding high the
severed head of Medusa. It was placed in the Piazza della Signoria near the government
houses and sent an eerie message to the people.
(Angela)  sound bite @ Santa Croce + footage of Perseus
Though the Medici family looked to bring art and its creators to Florence, there were strong
political factors that influenced the art that appeared and the message it sent to those who
saw it.
(Tony) 01632/01621 “bc. of Medici that we enjoy works today”
PART 3 – Today/Conclusion
Italy has always been known for its fine craftsmanship. But what was the driving force
behind the industry of arts?
(Tonya)  sound bites @ Pitti Palace on world trade & craftsmanship
The Italian Renaissance marked an age of ingenuity and new thinking. The works of art that
stand in the city today, historical and contemporary, reveal a passion in the Italian people
who are molded by their country’s history and legacy in the arts.
(??) footage of graffiti, street art, performers, etc.
(Man on Beach)  sound bites w/ translation
(Tony) 01513/01502 “rel. art & sci. are… Albert Einstein”
(Tony) Closing 01759/48/37/26/15/04/01693