Lorenzo The Magnificent

Alive at the height of the golden renaissance age, Lorenzo de 'Medici, Prince of Florence, achieved a lot during his short 43 years. A skilled banker, diplomat and poet, he rose to power at the tender age of twenty, following the death of his father, and swiftly struck the balance between artist and scholar. His lyrical ability inspired a generation and poems he wrote for his court were brought to life in song, most notable of which the carnival song – Carnascialeschi – which is still sung to this day.

His love of the arts and expressive freedom manifested itself in his generosity and he became patron to the artists and philosophers of Florence, including iconic artists Botticelli, Leonardo daVinci and Michelangelo. Ever the peacemaker, he achieved the seemingly impossible by helping improve relations between notoriously disparate Italian states, preventing conflict and seeding the idea of a united Italy that can live in harmony.