Francesco Maria de 'Medici
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Francesco Maria de 'Medici (born November 12, 1660 in Florence , † February 3, 1711 in Bagno a Ripoli ) was an Italian cardinal and patron .
Life
Francesco Maria de 'Medici was the second son of Grand Duke Ferdinando II of Tuscany and his wife Vittoria della Rovere 18 years after their first son Cosimo III. born. In the meantime, the couple had been separated because of a homosexual affair the Grand Duke had with a court page.
From an early age, Francesco Maria was destined for a spiritual career. He became Grand Prior of the Order of Malta in Pisa , in 1683 Commendatarabbot of the Abbey of San Galgano in Siena and in 1685 of the Abbey of San Stefano in Carrara . In the consistory of September 2, 1686 he obtained from Pope Innocent XI. the cardinal's hat and was installed on July 9, 1687 as a cardinal deacon of the titular Santa Maria in Domnica . He took part in the conclaves of 1689, 1691 and 1700, but otherwise stayed in Florence, where he devoted himself to a life shaped less by religion than by art and entertainment. According to some sources, he was also said to have been homosexual. In 1703 he was appointed commander abbot of Marchiennes Abbey and in 1708 of Saint-Amand Abbey (both in France ).
In 1709, at the request of his brother, he resigned his cardinal dignity in order to marry and father a descendant to the Medici family . At the same time he was made Prince of Siena . Her marriage against her will with Eleonora Luisa Gonzaga (1686–1742), 26 years her junior, daughter Vincenzo Gonzagas , Duke of Guastalla , remained childless.
Patronage
Francesco Maria de 'Medici was known as a music lover. In 1678 he founded the Conversazione del Casino di San Marco , in which operas were performed until 1682 . He was also the dedicatee of Tomaso Albinoni's 12 cantatas op. 4 (Venice 1702).
Web links
- Francesco Maria de 'Medici. In: Salvador Miranda : The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church. ( Florida International University website, English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Medici, Francesco Maria de ' |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Italian cardinal and patron |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 12, 1660 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Florence |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 3, 1711 |
| Place of death | Bagno a Ripoli |