Andrea de' Pazzi
Andrea di Guglielmo de' Pazzi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1372 Florence, Republic of Florence |
| Died | 19 October 1445 |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, patron of architecture |
| Years active | 1411–1445 |
| Known for | Commissioning the Pazzi Chapel |
Andrea di Guglielmo de' Pazzi (1372, Florence – 19 October 1445) was a prominent political figure in the Republic of Florence, recognized for commissioning the Pazzi Chapel designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. He was also the father of Jacopo de' Pazzi and grandfather to both Francesco de' Pazzi and Guglielmo de' Pazzi.
Biography
Andrea was born in 1372 in Florence to Guglielmo de' Pazzi and Costanza de' Bardi, members of powerful banking families that supported the Guelph faction.
His political journey commenced in 1411 when he became a Councilor of the Republic. In 1413, he assumed the role of Captain of the Guelphs. Andrea was entrusted with significant diplomatic responsibilities, such as negotiating with pope John XXIII Cossa, and served as ambassador to Genoa in 1420. He occupied several official posts including Consul of the Mint in 1431 and 1438, as well as Podestà of Segna and Campi in 1432. Despite these roles, the Pazzi family’s classification as Magnate nobility limited their political involvement due to the restrictions imposed by the Ordinances of Justice.
In 1434, Andrea formed an alliance with Cosimo de' Medici, whose family was linked to the Bardi through marriage. This connection facilitated the Pazzi family's inclusion among the Popolari, thereby allowing them greater political engagement. That same year, he was honored with knighthood by René of Anjou. He further served as Consul of the ''Arte della Lana'' in 1437 and was appointed Prior of the Arts in 1439.
Andrea commissioned the renowned Renaissance structure, the Pazzi Chapel, from Brunelleschi in 1429. Nevertheless, construction halted following the Pazzi family's exile after their involvement in the 1478 Pazzi conspiracy.
Issue
In 1409, Andrea married Caterina Salviati. Together they had seven children: four sons and three daughters:
- Antonio (1410–1458), who wed Nicolosa degli Alessandri. Among their offspring were three sons, including Francesco, a participant in the Pazzi conspiracy, and Guglielmo, who married Bianca de' Medici, granddaughter of Cosimo; they also had six daughters.
- Apollonia
- Guglielmo (1415, possibly deceased during childhood)
- Piero (1416–1464), father to seven children including Renato de' Pazzi, who was killed following the failed conspiracy.
- Elena (born 1418)
- Albiera (born 1420)
- Jacopo (1423–1478), also involved in the Pazzi conspiracy.
In medias
- In the debut season of the television series Medici, Andrea de' Pazzi is depicted by Italian actor Daniel Caltagirone.