Which man made the following statement regarding Renaissance artists:
“One must treat these people of extraordinary genius as if they were celestial spirits, and not like beasts of burden.”
Explanation
Answer: A - Cosimo de Medici made the statement. The Medicis were the greatest patrons of Renaissance artists and saw art as more than an ornamental luxury, so it is only fitting that a Medici would have spoken with such regard for the artists of the age. The Renaissance began before the family rose to political power in Florence, and, similarly, other affluent families patronized artists, so the Medicis weren’t solely responsible for launching the Renaissance or funding it. However, the extent to which they financed large-scale projects upfront and promoted the cultural value of art (and all humanist pursuits) was exceptional.
