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On 9 April 1492, the forty-three-year-old Lorenzo de’ Medici passed away, having allegedly been refused absolution on his deathbed by the fiery Dominican preacher Savonarola. His funeral, though simple, was attended by almost the entire population of Florence. Lorenzo had assumed the position of de facto leader of the city at the age of 20, upon the death of his sickly father, Piero, whose time in charge of Florence was marked by attempted coups and an ongoing war with the Republic of Venice. Medici domination was by no means guaranteed, yet Lorenzo was to increase his reputation to such an extent that his family became arguably the most pre-eminent one of the Renaissance. How was this possible? How did Lorenzo hold on to power? What techniques did he employ to cultivate his image of politically-astute statesman, warrior, poet, and refined patron of the arts? How did he succeed in managing his image, and maintaining control for twenty-three years? This lecture will focus on his life and achievements and will consider the techniques that were employed to make Lorenzo truly ‘magnificent’.

Very Rev. Dr.Domenico Zanre is Vicar-General of the Diocese of Aberdeen, and Parish Priest of St Mary’s Church in Nairn, and St. Columba’s Church in Culloden.
He spent over ten years in academia, as a Lecturer in Italian Renaissance Literature, at the Universities of Bristol and of Glasgow.
He is a published author of books and papers in academic journals which he has presented at conferences and academic institutions throughout the US and Europe.