The Medici of Florence

Pele' as a Mandala-mixed media photograph

 After viewing a documentary on   the Medici family of medieval
 Florence, I can’t help think about the enormous contributions
 the period has made to western art. It was a heady time for
 painting during which artists such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci,
 and Botticelli rose to prominence.  Some of our most revered
 names gained recognition under the protection and patronage of
 the ruling Medici family. The cocktail for success seemed to be
 a mix of tolerance and patronage and it gave rise to one of the
 most productive and influential periods in all of art history. 

The Medicis were a merchant family that rose to prominence
over successive generations. They gained power in the city
of Florence and were able to hold onto their ruling status with
two family members eventually becoming popes (albeit bad ones).
The medici popes were so corrupt that Martin Luther, after visiting
Rome and viewing their excesses first hand, began his prolific
demands for reform eventually resulting in the sack of Rome.

Intrigue and corruptions aside, the Medicis loved and nurtured
art, extending their patronage to artists throughout successive
generations of their rule.  Artists were feted and coddled and
it was through this financial stability that some of our most
beloved masterpieces were born.

Another factor in the genesis of these works was the tolerance
that the Medicis showed their artists. Artist were allowed to
depart from the prevailing religious topics of the period and
works such as Botticcelli’s Birth of Venus were created. Without
the strict dictations of the church, artists were freer to unleash
secular creativity.

Interestingly, Machaveli’s novel The Prince was also created
during the time as a treatise and commentary on the ruthless,
cruel and cutthroat governing style of the Medici family. From
a vipers nest came some of the most sublime and tender works
of art the world has known.

I’m not sure we today could ever reach the standards and output
of the artists of the Medici period. In our country we have the
freedom but not the governing patronage, in other countries
there may be the patronage but not the freedom.

Australian Aboriginal Art in Prescott

The Vigraha Gallery in downtown Prescot

 The Vigraha Gallery in Prescott, located at 115 E. Goodwin St.,

Suite E, is showing contemporary Aboriginal works in their 

exhibition space. Tucked back from the street and cloistered 

within a Spanish styled courtyard, the gallery shows Asian,

Indian and Himalayan antique art. Visiting the gallery is like 

stumbling upon a luminous jewel and one is stuck by the 

profound sense of peace and quiet within the gallery confines.

Sculptures and painted works abound and the gallery is packed 

with quality Eastern Art treasures large and small. Works are
shown in stone, wood and metal, fabric and furniture. Elegant

figures from Hindu and Buddhist pantheons are arrayed in quiet 

splendor, greeting visitors with their serene countenance and 

infectious grace.

Inside the Vigraha Gallery

The Aboriginal Art being shown is from contemporary Aboriginal
artists Paddy Fordham Wainburranga, William Sandy, Yinarupa
Nungala and Kudditji Kngwarreye. Both traditional and interesting
new takes on Aboriginal style are shown, with some contemporary
pieces in the show rivaling western style works.  Delicate but
powerful, the work will remain on exhibition through May 6th.

Contemporary Aboriginal Art at the Vigraha Gallery