I recently read a book by Maggie O’Farrell called The Marriage Contract. It is fiction, but based on real people. It tells the story of Lucretia, the daughter of Cosimo I de’Medici and Eleonora di Toledo. The poor girl who was married off to Alfonso II, who was to become Duke of Ferrara, in 1558. She met an untimely death not long after. I suppose Alfonso kept the £50 million dowry paid by her father.
Right now there is an exhibition at the Pitti Palace, the home of Cosimo and Eleanora and their surviving children. The book inspired me to find out more about the family.
I will begin with this painting of Eleonora di Toledo with her son Giovanni by Bronzino in 1545. I think you will agree that she is stunning.
Eleonora was born 11th January 1522 and lived until 17th December 1562. She packed a lot into her 40 years. She married Cosimo I de’ Medici, Duke of Florence in 1539. The couple had 11 children. Only 5 sons and 3 daughters reached maturity.
She is credited with being the first modern first lady or consort. As well as producing all those children she was a keen businesswoman, she financed many of her husband’s political campaigns and important buildings, including the Palazzo Pitti. She ruled as regent of Florence during her husband’s frequent absences, his military campaigns, his illness and war for the conquest of Siena.
She was the founder of the Boboli Gardens, was a fashion innovator and a passionate patron of the arts, played a fundamental role in the construction of the Medici court and contributed to the transformation of the Tuscan landscape…busy woman.
The couple’s faithful marriage and peaceful domestic life served to strengthen Cosimo’s various reforms. Before the marriage the Medici line had been in danger of extinction. Both parents were involved in their children’s lives, which was unusual at the time. The children were married into ruling families or given important roles to stabilise the strength of Tuscany.
The exhibition is being held in one of the magnificent sections of the Pitti Palace, now the largest museum complex in Florence. Being in these rooms is wonderful, even without the stunning collection of objects related to Eleonora.
This is Cosimo I as a young man and later in life.
Another portrait by Bronzino in 1550, Eleonora with her son Francesco.
The final portrait of Eleonora by Bronzino in 1560.
These are portraits of the children.
Lucretia and Maria.
The rooms are filled with magnificent art and exquisite objects owned by the family.
Beautiful tapestries.
Incredible glass objects.
Stunning ivory pieces.
This wooden carving was commissioned by King Charles II and was presented to Grand Duke Cosimo III in 1682.
Personal items belonging to Eleonora.
Clothing of the era.
Panels depicting the Boboli Gardens.
Last, but certainly not least, Morgante Riding the Tortoise, dating from 1564 – 1568. The sculpture was destined for the Boboli gardens. I have seen what is probably a copy in the gardens. It features widely on post cards as well.
The Eleonora di Toledo and the invention of the Medici Court exhibition will run until 14th May 2023. If you are lucky enough to be in Florence I suggest a visit. It is an excellent insight into the lives of the Medici.
The crowds in the photo below were probably waiting to go into the Boboli Gardens, the exhibition rooms were not crowded at all.
