French Literature Reviews - 2026
Alfredo Perifano, L’Alchimie à la Cour de Côme Ier de Médicis : savoirs, culture et politique
History, Politics and Society
Alfredo Perifano
L’Alchimie à la Cour de Côme Ier de Médicis : savoirs, culture et politique
Paris, Classiques Garnier, coll. Études et essais sur la Renaissance, 2022
Cosimo I was a master at brilliantly harnessing culture and science in the service of politics. The alchemical experiments he commissioned helped shape his image as a physician-prince and philosopher. This book offers a significant contribution to the history of cultural policy and the symbolism of the Medici family.
The intersection of science, culture, and political power during the Italian Renaissance has long fascinated historians of early modern Europe. Rulers frequently patronized various intellectual endeavors to legitimate their authority and project specific dynastic ideals. Within this broader historical framework, the Medici court in Florence represents a prominent center of patronage where intellectual pursuits frequently intersected with statecraft. Scholars examining this period often look at how scientific and esoteric practices were integrated into the administrative and ideological strategies of ruling elites, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of image-making and cultural diplomacy.
Cosimo I was a master at brilliantly harnessing culture and science in the service of politics, and the alchemical experiments he commissioned helped shape his image as a physician-prince and philosopher. This study contributes to the history of cultural policy and the symbolism of the Medici family. Readers interested in Renaissance political culture and Medici patronage may find this work relevant to their inquiries.
Read the Preface by Michel Plaisance…