Contessina de' Bardi

Contessina de' Bardi

Cristofano dell'Altissimo, posthumous portrait of Contessina de' Bardi
Spouse(s) Cosimo de' Medici
Noble family Bardi
Born c.  1390
Florence
Died October 1473
Florence

Contessina de' Bardi was born in about 1390 and died in Florence in October 1473.

Di Bardi Family

The family of Contessina de Bardi had been exceptionally rich for some time but, following the collapse of the family bank in 1343, its importance was considerably reduced. They enjoyed some fame as suzerains and condottieri. The Medici called on them in this guise, on certain occasions, for armed support of the Medici's political hegemony.

Life

Contessina de' Bardi married Cosimo de' Medici in 1414 and they went to live with his parents, Piccarda Bueri and Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici.[1] Like Giovanni's marriage to Piccarda, this marriage brought noble connections to the common family of the Medici. s illegitimate son, Charles de Medici. She was known for being careful with money and the managing of their household.[2]

She survived her husband by ten years. He died in 1463 and she remained a point of reference for the grandchildren. She also had a good relationship with her daughter-in-law Lucrezia Tornabuoni and she lived with her and her son Piero di Cosimo de' Medici after her husband's death.[3] Lorenzo 'il Magnifico' named his daughter Contessina de Medici in honour of her.

Notes

  1. ↑ Pernis and Adams. p. 9. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Pernis and Adams. p. 13. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ Pernis and Adams. pp. 15–16. Missing or empty |title= (help)

References