The term patron was used during the Renaissance, to refer to that wealthy person who took under his patronage young artists without resources, thus supporting the advancement of the arts in 14th century Europe. In general, a patron belonged to the new bourgeoisie, which became more powerful every day. The patrons dedicated themselves to finding and hiring artists who were in a growth phase in order to make their works of art, which would later be selected and exhibited.
What is patron
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The term refers to a person who takes under his patronage an artist who does not have the resources to carry out all his manifestations in the various arts, thanks to which culture could be promoted during the Renaissance era, when it began to become popular. this activity.
The functions of patrons are to support talents with economic resources to boost themselves, so for synonymous patrons, it can be said that they are also a sponsor, protector, benefactor, supporter or patron, since in principle the supported artists had to submit their art and works to what the patrons requested.
Although at first the term was applied to the support that was given to artists, it was also coined for the support that was given to scientists or athletes, and in recent times, to any philanthropic support for the development of ideas that they collaborate with the welfare and development of humanity.
The etymology of the term comes from the Latin maecenas, which means "protector", "supporter", "benefactor" or "sponsor" and its variation is the term patronage, which is the activity as such.
History of patronage
Patronage activity has existed throughout history and continues to exist, when it comes to people with great economic resources who promote scientific research and artistic development. It originated towards the end of the 1st century BC, when the Roman nobleman Gaius Clinio Maecenas (70-8 BC), promoted and promoted patron art, by protecting artists to carry out their works, which is why his name was taken for the exercise of sponsor artists.
Cayo Mecenas, who was a confidant of César Augusto, supported artists such as Horacio (65-8 BC), who was one of the main Latin icons of poetry and lyric; and to Virgil (70-19 BC), also a poet, who participated in Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy.
Patronage was very important in the Renaissance, as it was beginning to emerge from that dark age left by the Middle Ages; it represented the emergence of a number of artists who were after the search for new artistic ideas and who wanted to project reality as they observed it, leaving aside the representations associated with religious images.
During the High Middle Ages only the church exercised patronage, so the predominance of religious art was a cultural characteristic of that period. Later, during the late Middle Ages, many aristocrats and bourgeoisie asked to be portrayed and where religious figures began to lose centrality, with civil patronage taking center stage.
Many of these sponsored jobs were commissioned; however, artists with sporadic works were also respected by important figures, which raised their level and the practice spread rapidly. The Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza (1452-1508), took on the role of patron of Da Vinci and other artists.
In contemporary times, the practice began to become institutionalized, so the character of these works went from being private to being enjoyed by a public. However, there continued to be wealthy people of contemporary times who exercised patronage, as well as other artists and associations. A contemporary patron example is Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, who have contributed 2,021 euros in patronage work.
Importance of patrons
The patrons were undoubtedly important figures for the cultural and social advancement of the West, since it was thanks to them that Europe became the cradle of the arts.
His constant incentive towards small artists who did not have the necessary resources to pay for their careers and who later ended up being great artists of recognized name in world art, was vital so that in the regions of Italy and the rest of Europe there were numerous works of art, which left behind the medieval religious style.
Thanks to them, renowned artists such as Michelangelo, as well as famous musicians, were able to express their artistic talents and let the world know their works, influencing the evolution of the different arts.
Featured patrons
During the Renaissance, the Medici or Medici were an important family of patrons of Florence, who, in addition to having influential members in history, were also great patrons, being not only patron art, but also in scientific fields.
Other great patrons of the Renaissance were Popes Julius II and Leo X, who supported the art of the painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520).
Great artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci were also sponsored by the Medici family and Ludovico Sforza, respectively.
- Work David by the sculptor Miguel Ángel
- Portrait of Pope Julius II made by Raphael
- "The Last Supper", by Leonardo Da Vinci
- Portrait of Sir Endymion Porter by Anton Van Dyck, in which the artist himself included himself with his patron.
Today's patrons are philanthropic; They are not only art patrons, they also dedicate resources to other areas such as sports or science and scientific research.
The billionaire and American art collector Leonard Lauder is also considered one of the main patrons of this time, having contributed 770 million euros to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg has donated 383 million euros to the Silicon Valley Foundation, which is responsible for developing technological solutions to improve people's quality of life.
Entrepreneur Warren Buffett has been the world's largest patron, investing € 31,293 million for development purposes in technology, culture and other philanthropic caliber goals.
