“Catherine de' Medici saw in the art a way of teaching the harmony and order that should prevail in the social and political world. Dance was, in her mind and in the minds of other cultivated Europeans, a model for properly ordered social relationships. She staged a series of “magnificences” [which] relied extensively on dance choreography to express the faith in dance’s powers to teach peaceful and harmonious living. Out of her efforts the ballet de cour emerged, a royal art form that joined together artistic stage designs, poetry, music, and dance.” Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Renaissance Europe (1300–1600), page 83.
Name: Catherine de’ Medici
Birth Date: April 13, 1519 – January 05, 1589
Job Functions: French Queen
Fields: Machiavellian Politics (Review of The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli)
Known For: Queen/Regent of France
This profile is significant because of the lessons it teaches on what not to do. It underpins what can occur when power is misused. Catherine de’ Medici was born at the onset of Reformation, which started with Martin Luther, who introduced Protestantism. “French Protestants were known as Huguenots, and the rapid growth of their numbers among the nobility and upper classes, as well as among ordinary folk soon made them a politically significant force; the Huguenots held their first general French assembly in 1559.”
Catherine was brought up Catholic. In 1533, Catherine de’ Medici married the Dauphin, who became Henry II in1547. In 1558, Henry II died, and her eldest son Francis II took his place. Francis II died in 1560, and Catherine’s 10 year old son Charles became king with her as regent. Catherine de’ Medici had 10 children in 10 years with Henry II.
There was a struggle for power between the Protestants and Catholics. There was much political-religious strife between both factions. “In the presence of Catherine, her children, and Mary, Queen of Scots, 57 of the Huguenot leaders were hanged or beheaded.” Mary Queen of Scots was married to Catherine’s eldest son Francis II.
Catherine de’ Medici inherited the wealth and theatrical style of her great-grandfather, Lorenzo the Magnificent, “head of Europe's most powerful banking firm and political power-broker in the Italian city-state of Florence. It was he who used the Catholic Church's reliance on Medici credit and financial support to have both a son and nephew made cardinals in the church hierarchy.” The Medici family were despots and ruled Florence with a heavy hand from 1434 to 1737.
She was devoted to politics and acted as regent when her sons rose to the throne after the death of her husband, Henry II and each subsequent son. She tried to bring order to the Kingdom, but Catherine was duplicitous, frequently playing Catholics and Protestants off each other.
On the road to success, many falter and fail. The thirty-year length of her reign and the horrific religious wars of her time have given Catherine a symbolic identity.
Biggest Accomplishments/Why Catherine de' Medici’s Contribution Matters
- Catherine de' Medici was a trendsetter: At her wedding ball, she appeared wearing high-heeled shoes that made her appear very graceful. At the time, shoes with soles and heels were just coming into fashion.
- Patron of the Arts: Believed that dance helped to create harmony in relationships, and created a series of what is called “magnificences” to achieve those ends. Her efforts led to the emergence of the ballet de cour, which blended art forms – artistic stage designs, poetry, music, sculptures, drama and dance. Her efforts influenced the rise of the opera and 17th century ballet. She also built up a huge collection of books and paintings, and she built or enlarged some of Paris’ finest buildings.
Lessons from Catherine de' Medici
- Catherine de Medici gives us great insights on how not to rule. She was partly responsible for French religious wars, and it is believed that she ordered the massacre of French Protestants. Over 4,000 Huguenots were massacred.
- On the other hand, Catherine was a great patron of the arts.
- We can learn how to blend disciplines from her. Catherine blended, music, dance, poetry, drama, sculptures and stage designs to create a series of “magnificences” which gave rise to ballet and influenced the opera. Which disciplines can you blend to create something magnificent?
The Not So Stellar Catherine de' Medici
She had a great deal of influence over her sons. She was regent of a weak government during the conflicts between Catholics and Huguenots that culminated in the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572. It is believed by many that Catherine ordered the massacre of the French Protestants.
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Sources Referenced/Cited
Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Renaissance Europe (1300–1600)
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture
UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography
Historic World Leaders
New Catholic Encyclopedia
