* 4/13 & 4/20 closed

Many of Botticelli’s masterpieces will be exhibited, including works that are being shown for the first time in Japan.

In the 15th century, artists in Florence—the city of flowers—created a large number of magnificent works under the patronage of the Medici family, who were also well-known bankers. The financial power of Florence and the Medici family, who amassed a fortune through the Mediterranean trade and their financial business, was essential to the birth of Renaissance art. The Florentine Renaissance, famous for Botticelli (1445-1510), who was favored by the Medici family, is considered to represent the cultural heritage that was brought about by the growth of Florentine financial business.
This exhibition will highlight the banking and financial business that dominated the trade and business throughout all of Europe while working as the prime mover of the Renaissance, and it will also highlight the birth of modern activities of mécénat. Approximately 80 items will be displayed, consisting mainly of Botticelli’s masterpieces as well as paintings, sculptures and engravings created by distinguished artists of the Renaissance period, including books and materials that tell of the historical background.