Palla Strozzi
Encyclopedia
Palla di Onofrio Strozzi (1372 – May 8, 1462) was an Italian banker, politician, writer, philosopher and philologist.
into the rich family of the Strozzi. He was educated by humanists, learning Greek and Latin, and establishing an important collection of rare books. Vespasiano, in his Lives of illustrious men of the 15th century described him as rich, handsome, a family man, a scholar, and a great builder and collector. He was the richest man in Florence with a gross taxable income of 162,925 florins in 1427 and more than 50 farms and over 30 houses.
In his sixties, together with Rinaldo degli Albizzi
, he became the leader of the opposition against Cosimo de' Medici
, the man who practically controlled the political power in Florence. Initially successful, the two secured the imprisonment of Cosimo, forcing him into exile in 1433.
However, when Cosimo returned, both the Strozzi and Albizi families were exiled in turn. In 1434, Palla moved to Padua
, where he started to plan a return to his native city, which however never occurred.
He died in 1462, leaving his collection to the monastery of Santa Giustina. As patron of the arts, he was commissioner of Gentile da Fabriano
's Adoration of the Magi
in the Strozzi Chapel of Santa Trinita
church in Florence. He additionally commissioned Fra Angelico
's Deposition of Christ
in the Sacristy of Santa Trinita in Florence.
His descendants settled in Ferrara
.
Biography
He was born in FlorenceFlorence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
into the rich family of the Strozzi. He was educated by humanists, learning Greek and Latin, and establishing an important collection of rare books. Vespasiano, in his Lives of illustrious men of the 15th century described him as rich, handsome, a family man, a scholar, and a great builder and collector. He was the richest man in Florence with a gross taxable income of 162,925 florins in 1427 and more than 50 farms and over 30 houses.
In his sixties, together with Rinaldo degli Albizzi
Rinaldo degli Albizzi
Rinaldo degli Albizzi was an Italian nobleman, a member of the Florentine family of the Albizzi. Together with Palla Strozzi, he was the main opponent of Cosimo de' Medici's rise in Florence....
, he became the leader of the opposition against Cosimo de' Medici
Cosimo de' Medici
Còsimo di Giovanni degli Mèdici was the first of the Medici political dynasty, de facto rulers of Florence during much of the Italian Renaissance; also known as "Cosimo 'the Elder'" and "Cosimo Pater Patriae" .-Biography:Born in Florence, Cosimo inherited both his wealth and his expertise in...
, the man who practically controlled the political power in Florence. Initially successful, the two secured the imprisonment of Cosimo, forcing him into exile in 1433.
However, when Cosimo returned, both the Strozzi and Albizi families were exiled in turn. In 1434, Palla moved to Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, where he started to plan a return to his native city, which however never occurred.
He died in 1462, leaving his collection to the monastery of Santa Giustina. As patron of the arts, he was commissioner of Gentile da Fabriano
Gentile da Fabriano
Gentile da Fabriano was an Italian painter known for his participation in the International Gothic style. He worked in various places in central Italy, mostly in Tuscany. His best known works are his Adoration of the Magi and the Flight into Egypt.-Biography:Gentile was born in or near Fabriano,...
's Adoration of the Magi
Adoration of the Magi (Gentile da Fabriano)
The Adoration of the Magi is a painting by the Italian artist Gentile da Fabriano. The work, housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, is considered his finest work, and has been described as "the culminating work of International Gothic painting"....
in the Strozzi Chapel of Santa Trinita
Santa Trinita
Santa Trinita is a church in central Florence, Italy. It is the mother church of the Vallumbrosan Order of monks, founded in 1092 by a Florentine nobleman...
church in Florence. He additionally commissioned Fra Angelico
Fra Angelico
Fra Angelico , born Guido di Pietro, was an Early Italian Renaissance painter described by Vasari in his Lives of the Artists as having "a rare and perfect talent"...
's Deposition of Christ
Deposition of Christ (Fra Angelico)
The Deposition from the Cross is a painting of the Deposition of Christ by the Italian Renaissance master Fra Angelico, executed between 1432 and 1434...
in the Sacristy of Santa Trinita in Florence.
His descendants settled in Ferrara
Ferrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
.