Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance . Home | PBS

Above: Vasari: Cosimo I consults battle plans

First part of a great docudrama on pbs last night called "Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance". Sumptous period pieces and dramatizations of
a 15th century Sopranos-style clan--that is, if the Sopranos supported people like Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Boticelli, and Donatello as well as making deals and bumping off rivals. This family had major ups and downs, assassinations, triumphs, papal power, exile, and still found time to pour extravagant cash on the tender shoots of the Renaissance. There are lots of interesting historical details included, like how one of the Medici was fed a mixture of crushed jewels and pearls on his deathbed, or how the painter Boticelli, despite his sensual depictions of pagan mythology and physical beauty, succumbed to religious fanaticism and consigned some of his work to a bonfire. Even though the narrator strays a bit into Burgess Meredith territory with his breathy delivery, this show is an inspiring example of how history can be brought to stunning life. Highly recommended!

Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance . Home | PBS