Palla Strozzi
Palla di Onofrio Strozzi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1372 Florence, Italy |
| Died | 1462-05-08 |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician, writer, philosopher, philologist |
| Known for | Wealthiest man in Florence (1427), patron of arts and literature |
Palla di Onofrio Strozzi (1372 – 8 May 1462) was a notable Italian figure renowned as a banker, politician, writer, philosopher, and philologist.
Biography
Originating from Florence, Strozzi belonged to the affluent Strozzi banking lineage. He received a humanist education, becoming proficient in both Greek and Latin, and amassed an extensive collection of rare volumes.
Vespasiano, in his Lives of illustrious men of the 15th century, characterized Strozzi as affluent, learned, and an important collector and patron. By 1427, he was Florence’s wealthiest individual, with declared taxable assets totaling 162,925 florins. His portfolio comprised 54 agricultural estates, 30 residential properties, a banking enterprise with capital amounting to 45,000 florins, and municipal bonds. Despite this substantial fortune, Strozzi incurred expenses beyond his financial capacity and demonstrated minimal engagement in overseeing the family’s banking operations, factors that contributed to his subsequent financial and political setbacks.
During his sixties, together with Rinaldo degli Albizzi, he spearheaded resistance against Cosimo de' Medici, Florence’s leading political authority. Their efforts led to Cosimo’s imprisonment and exile in 1433. Nevertheless, upon Cosimo’s return to power, both families faced exile. Strozzi moved to Padua in 1434 with intentions of regaining influence but never managed to return; his son eventually constructed a distinguished palace in Florence in 1480.
Passing away in 1462, Strozzi left his book collection to the Abbey of Santa Giustina. As an art benefactor, he commissioned Gentile da Fabriano’s Adoration of the Magi for the Strozzi Chapel within Santa Trinita in Florence and Fra Angelico’s Deposition of Christ for the sacristy of the same church.
He procured Greek manuscripts and supported Italian translations of pivotal texts such as Claudius Ptolemy's Almagest, Plutarch's Lives, Plato's dialogues, and Aristotle's Politics.
His lineage later established themselves in Ferrara.