Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527)

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527) - photo 1

Niccolò Machiavelli

Niccolò di Bernardo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, politician and diplomat, historian and Renaissance writer.

As a young man, Niccolò Machiavelli faced financial difficulties due to his father's debts, but had access to a rich library. Machiavelli's early life and career began during a period of political upheaval in Italy. After the expulsion of the Medici family in 1494, for 14 years Niccolo Machiavelli served as a diplomat to the Florentine Republic. During this service, he gained a reputation as a cunning and unconventional thinker. However, when the Medici returned to power in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed, imprisoned, and temporarily removed from political life.

During this period Machiavelli wrote his famous work The Sovereign, which has become one of the key works in the history of political philosophy. This book epitomizes the Machiavellian approach to politics, where the means justify the end, and where a leader should use any method to consolidate his power. The treatise drew criticism from the Pope, who condemned it for supporting rule through deceit and fear. Nevertheless, The Sovereign is still an important work of political literature, and Machiavelli has come to be called "the father of modern political theory."

Machiavelli lived the rest of his life in a small village near Florence, where he continued his creative endeavors, writing On the Art of War, as well as poems and plays. His literary legacy has become an integral part of the history of political philosophy.

Date and place of birt:3 may 1469, Florence, Italy
Date and place of death:21 june 1527, Florence, Italy
Period of activity: XV, XVI century
Specialization:Diplomat, Historian, Philosopher, Politician, Writer
Art style:High Renaissance, Renaissance

Creators High Renaissance

Venturino Mercati (XV century - ?)
Venturino Mercati
XV century - ?
Orlando di Lasso (1532 - 1594)
Orlando di Lasso
1532 - 1594
Juan Flandes (1460 - 1519)
Juan Flandes
1460 - 1519
Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen (1470 - 1533)
Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen
1470 - 1533
Giorgio Vasari (1511 - 1574)
Giorgio Vasari
1511 - 1574
Teodoro Riccio (1540 - 1603)
Teodoro Riccio
1540 - 1603
Matteo de' Pasti (1412 - 1468)
Matteo de' Pasti
1412 - 1468
Jacopo Dal Ponte (1510 - 1592)
Jacopo Dal Ponte
1510 - 1592
Taddeo Zuccaro (1529 - 1566)
Taddeo Zuccaro
1529 - 1566
Tiziano Vecellio (1488 - 1576)
Tiziano Vecellio
1488 - 1576
Christoph Amberger (1505 - 1562)
Christoph Amberger
1505 - 1562
Joris Hoefnagel (1542 - 1601)
Joris Hoefnagel
1542 - 1601
Girolamo da Santacroce (1490 - 1556)
Girolamo da Santacroce
1490 - 1556
Pieter van der Borcht I (1530 - 1608)
Pieter van der Borcht I
1530 - 1608
Domenico Mona (1550 - 1602)
Domenico Mona
1550 - 1602
Lorenzo di Credi (1459 - 1537)
Lorenzo di Credi
1459 - 1537
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