Cosimo vs. Cosimo: The manipulation of patronage for personal use and political gain

This thesis is about the patronage of Cosimo "the elder" de'Medici versus Duke Cosimo I de'Medici during the Florentine Renaissance. I compare and contrast the patronage and the lives of Cosimo "the elder" de'Medici and Duke Cosimo I de'Medici along with emphasizing who had a better idea of patronage and which method was more effective during their rule. I discuss for what reasons these two patrons used their commissions and how their decisions affected the community and the individual person. It cover a very concise history of the Medici family and the family relations of Cosimo "the elder" de'Medici to Duke Cosimo I de'Medici. The purpose of this paper is not to justify the aesthetics and beauty of paintings, sculptures, and architectural wonders created during the Florentine Renaissance but to more importantly emphasize the reasons for their creations and how they impacted the lives and society around them.