LEO X

Leo X: translation

(Giovanni de' Medici; r. 1513-1521)

Leo X was the second son ofLorenzo"the Magnificent"de' Medici, tonsured at the age of seven, and made cardinal at 13. Like his father, Leo presided over a court that included artists, poets, and musicians but also clowns, animal tamers, and other odd individuals—and that, coupled by his extravagant behavior, gave added fuel to the leaders of theReformation. It was under Leo's rule that Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the portals of Wittenberg Cathedral (1517), resulting in his excommunication in 1521. As pope, Leo's main concern was to prevent foreign domination of Italy, and particularlyFlorence, and to advance his family's interests. In 1516, he expelled thedella Roverefrom Urbino and installed his nephew Lorenzo II de' Medici as its duke. With this, Leo set in motion the events that would lead to the Medici's attainment of the title of Dukes of Tuscany in 1530. Leo was the patron ofRaphael, who under his rule completed theStanzaat the Vatican, andDonato Bramante, who worked on NewSt.Peter's. Raphael also painted thePortrait of Pope Leo X with Cardinals Giulio de' Medici and Luigi de' Rossi(c. 1517; Florence,Uffizi), which shows the pope at his desk examining anilluminated manuscriptwith a magnifying glass, a fitting tribute to the man who profoundly valued such art objects.