Giovanni Cardinal de' Medici

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Giovanni di Cosimo I de' Medici, also known as Giovanni de' Medici the Younger (September 29, 1544 - November 20, 1562) was an Italian cardinal.

[edit] Biography

He was born in Florence, the second son of Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Eleonora of Toledo. While his elder brother Francesco went on a political and military career, Giovanni had reserved for him the ecclesiastical career.

After having been Bishop of Pisa, he was created cardinal by Pope Pius IV in the consistory of January 31, 1560, aged only seventeen.

Probably already suffering of tubercolosis, Giovanni died two years later in Livorno, for a malaria attack. His mother and brother Garzia died of the same illness a few days later.

He was portrayed by Agnolo Bronzino in two famous portraits, one as an infant and another of some years later, together with Eleonora of Toledo (although the subject of the latter has been identified also as Francesco or Garzia).

His father Cosimo had another son in 1563, who was called with the same name (he is best known as Don Giovanni de' Medici).