Finding
Your Inner
Medici
The Italian
Renaissance
FLORENCE, ITALY
1330-1550
Florence, Italy: 1300-1600
❖ Florence served as one of the world’s first pure
republics and contributed to the unique economic
structure of the times.
❖ Thanks to the goodwill of a few wealthy citizens,
the city of Florence became a city for the people,
by the people. The city hosted a thriving
international banking and trading system that
drew many to its streets.
Birthplace of the
Italian Renaissance
❖ During the mid-twelfth century, an
artistic wave of innovation and culture
swept into the heart of Italy.
❖ As the center of the Renaissance, Italy
attracted innovators of thought,
entrepreneurship, and artistic process
through patronage.
The House of Medici
Patrons of Genius
Who were the Medici?
❖
The Medici family grew to become powerful
“pseudo-monarchs” of Italy. As Florence’s primary
signore family, they dominated the city’s political,
economic, and social spheres.
❖
The family used their wealth and notoriety to fund
the great thinkers and visionaries of their time.
❖
Embracing almost every facet of Italian living, the
family is most celebrated for their fervent patronage
of art and architecture.
2.
PATRONS OF HIGH RENAISSANCE
Medici Family’s Hired
Craftsmen
MEDICI PATRONAGE
❖
As a badge of honor, the Medici sought the most elite
painters, sculptors, and thinkers of their time to transform the
city.
❖
The High Renaissance artists depended upon the healthy
commissions of wealthy patrons, to avoid living as “starving
artists.”
❖
The Medici’s financial, emotional and artistic support
fostered a thriving atmosphere for the artists' unbridled
creativity and exploration.
Noted Medici-Commissioned
Artists
Leonardo Da Vinci
Filippo Brunelleschi
Donato Bramante
Michelangelo
And the Medici
“The work of true art is but a
shadow of divine perfection.”
- Michelangelo Buonarroti
Michelangelo
an “Adopted” Medici
❖
The Medici fostered deep relationships with all of their artists.
However, Lorenzo the Magnificent, one of the Medici
patriarchs, formed a “soft spot” for a young artist named
Michelangelo Buonarroti.
❖
When Michelangelo was young, Il Magnifico took note of the
young sculptor’s talent. He provided the artist with tools,
materials, and a work space within the walls of his palace,
along with direct contact with the masters of the day.
❖
The Medici exposed Michelangelo to High Renaissance
poetry, science, philosophy, and art.
Immersive Relationship
❖ Michelangelo’s relationship with the Medici
transcended the traditional artist-patron
interaction.
❖ Creating a nurturing space, the Medici
enabled artists young and old to pursue their
passions and cultivate their craftsmanship.
❖ The sum of its parts became a greater whole
for the betterment of the entire community.
Impressive Results
Thanks to the Medici, Michelangelo was free
to dedicate his entire life to the pursuit of
l’arte per l’arta
(art for art’s sake)
3.
Medici Global Impact
GLOBAL
IMPACT
The financial freedom offered through the Medici sparked a revolution of
thought that shattered the medieval traditions and beliefs of the day--and
continue to impact the world today.
Multi-Faceted Global Impact
The artistic explosion of the Renaissance influenced many facets of
Italian culture—far beyond the artistic realm.
ART
SCIENCE
POLITICS
PHILOSOPHY
RELIGION
ARCHITECTURE
4.
Modern-Day Renaissance
Does Public Art Still Influence
Society Today?
Look around.
Art is all around us.
We can’t take anything with us when we die…
So why don’t we leave something behind?
Your story may deserve to be told.
5.
Modern-Day Medici
William “Red” Dawson
Marshall University
& Chris Cline
An Unlikely Medici:
William “Red” Dawson
An Unlikely Medici
This humble West Virginian never thought he’
d see his story immortalized in bronze and
stone.
As assistant coach of Marshall University’s
football team, William “Red” Dawson planned
to live a life ruled by football and small-town
living.
Until the night a plane crash took 70 lives from the
Marshall University Thundering Herd.
Modern-Day Tragedy
As Assistant Coach of the Marshall University football
team, Dawson frequently traveled with his players. On one
tragic evening, Dawson and Coach Gail Parker decided to
drive back to their hometown of Huntington, West
Virginia. The majority of the players and other team
leaders flew back by plane.
En route, Dawson and Coach Gail Parker heard report of a
plane crash on the radio. 75 lives were lost, including 70 of
Marshall University's Thundering Herd’s finest, as well as
the plane’s pilots and crew.
Ashes to Ashes
After the accident, Red Dawson’s life was irrevocably
changed.
His dreams of football victory turned to ash, and survivor
guilt led him into seclusion.
35 years later, his story inspired a Hollywood feature film,
featuring actor Mark Fox as Dawson's cameo.
We Are Marshall
America’s greatest Football Tragedy
“It was a healing process,” says Dawson, who
participated deeply with Warner Brothers
on the film.
“I can’t tell you how much. For 35 years, I didn’t talk
about it. I kept it all inside. I didn’t address the issue.
Emotionally, I just couldn’t talk about it. But it seems to
me since the movie started, it’s been easier to talk about
it. The more I’ve talked about it, the easier it’s become.”
-Dawson told The Valdosta Daily Times.
?
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Red Dawson Meets Stan Mullins:
A Modern-Day Michelangelo
Dawson Meets Mullins
Several decades after the accident, Dawson took one of
his many trips down to Athens, GA, home of the
University of Georgia Bulldawgs football team, as well
as one of the artistic atmospheres of the South.
Grabbing a beer at one of Athens' local bars, he struck
up a conversation with an internationally acclaimed
visual artist, the infamous Stan Mullins.
6.
Modern-Day Michelangelo
Stan Mullins
Mullin’s Artistic Growth
Mullins has been painting since before he was born—or at least that’s what his
mother says.
With Mullins in her womb, his mother felt the urge to enroll in painting classes.
She did not know why; she just knew she should.
Mullins was raised in Alexandria, Virginia. When his father retired from the United
States Marine Corp, his family moved down to Georgia, and Mullins enrolled in the
University of Georgia. He holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Arts in drawing
and painting.
Early in his artistic studies, Mullins enrolled in UGA’s Cortona studies abroad
program. Italy is, and will forever be, an integral part of his life.
Mullins embraces emerging technology, as well as time-honored craftsmanship,
and strives for greatness each day by experimenting with new mediums, subjects,
ideas, and visions.
Stan Mullins Studio
STUDIO
International visual artist Stan Mullins resides in a renovated and
ever-evolving 18th century cottonseed oil refinery, in picturesque
downtown Athens, GA.
The space expresses his deep love of history and culture, local and
global.
In a rich environment of 7,000 square feet of interior studio space
as well as an ever-growing “Sculpture Garden”, koi pond and 2
acres of land the artist has created his own wave of ever-changing
creative inspiration.
Stan’s Artistic influence has
stretched across the globe
His works span the globe both literally and figuratively.
As a lifelong artist, Mullins has created thousands of works of art in multiple
dimensions, mediums.
His work is exhibited on several continents.
While he believes in art for art’s sake, he strives to convey meaning and emotion
in every one of his works.
He hopes to transcend cultural barriers that create illusions of separation
between different groups of people throughout the world.
ARTISTIC APPROACH
MIND
BODY
SPIRIT
Mullins takes great
care and
consideration before
beginning each
project.
Carving meaning
into sculpture with
craftsmanship,
innovation and
passion, Mullins
hopes the spirit of
his artwork flows
through the depths
of all who
experience his
creation.
Mullins strives to
create artworks that
transcend the
physical realm of
human existence
and link us to the
divine.
The thought and
intention of a piece,
along with the image
conveyed, are the
foundations of the
entire process.
Mullins is passionate about creating everlasting legacies through marble,
granite, and bronze monuments.
He enjoys learning the unique challenges of each creation, as well as their
natural beauty and strength of durability...
He never knew his passion would lead him...
“From Ashes to Glory.”
6.
Artistic Connection
Stan & Red
Mullins & Dawson
One day at Mullins’ studio, Dawson noticed a small bronze buffalo.
The moment Dawson fixed his eyes upon the buffalo, he knew he
had to have it.
To Dawson, the buffalo served as a powerful reminder of the
enduring strength of the Marshall University Thundering Herd.
He pitched the idea to Marshall University’s athletic director, Mike
Hamrick. Mullins was invited to Huntington, WV for meetings,
and the process of commissioning a sculpture began.
The rest is history.
7.
Road to Glory
Artistic Process
Building a Strong Team
Working with the Athletic Director of Marshall University and the
architects of the Chris Cline Athletic Complex, an artistic vision
was created.
Chris Cline
Creative Crew
Inferno Art Foundry
By establishing strong relational bonds,
Mullins was able to produce “Ashes to Glory”
from a deep sense of understanding and
empathy.
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
Red Dawson & Charlie Trippi,
UGA Living Legend,
photographed in front of the clay sculpture
of dedication in Mullins’ studio.
7.
Artistic Process
Stan & Red
Ashes to Glory
A LASTING LEGACY
“Ashes to Glory”
“The sculpture represents Marshall University’s comeback from the
plane crash.
I see the buffalos as the future of Marshall University.”
- Red Dawson
" ‘Ashes to Glory’ involved taking something
from the burned ashes, the ashes of many
lives lost, and turning it into glory.
Rather than trying to scab over the loss with
superficial healing, we actually came out of
the pain and desolation with an enriched
and spiritually aware perspective."
- Stan Mullins
8.
How can YOU become a modernday Medici?
“When I’m commissioned to create
large-scale public arts and
monuments, I strive to convey an
inspiration for the community and
visitors alike to find their higher self.”
- Stan Mullins
Artist-Patron
Communion
Same Spirit, Different Century
Stan Mullins
Materials
Method
Spirituality
Relationships
Craftsmanship
Patronage
Michelangelo
Communion
Stan’s fluid approach to commissioned work imparts a relational
“communion” in which the artist and client conceive of a work
together.
A Renaissance man at heart, Stan strives to cultivate the same
symbiotic patron-artist relationship that Michelangelo had with
the Medici. He encourages his clients to involve themselves in the
creative process.
While working with a patron or client, Mullins embraces the idea
and emotion of the subject to be rendered. Thus, each work of art,
from small watercolor to epic scale-sculpture embodies a passion
that is both inspirational and deeply sensitive.
“I’m doing this for a reason.
I’m trying to make the artwork speak to people.
It all means something.”
- Stan Mullins
Mullins’ One-Year Process is
Simple
Step 2: Explore
Explore various concepts
& sketches for commission
authority approval
Step 1: Consult
Meet Stan for a beer &
brainstorming session
Step 4: Sculpture
Step 3: Model
Stan creates model or
moquette for approval
Step 6: Installation
Optional service provided
for an additional fee.
Step 5: Completion
Sculpture is ready for
pick-up
So YOU Want to be a
Modern-Day Medici?
The world is in need of leaders and artistic visionaries
who will break through moral silence and proclaim the
truth.
Art has the power to transform communities, heal
moral apathy, and so much more.
What lasting impression do you hope to make on
future generations?
What mark will you leave behind?
With a Modern-Day
Michelangelo by your side,
the possibilities are endless...
YOU could foster the
YOU could
commission
world’s
next
greatest
the world’s next
artistic legacy
greatest masterpiece
Contact for a free
consultation
Could you commission the
world’s next greatest sculpture?
Discover the secret world of the
modern-day Renaissance.
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