Sublime

After Cosimo de’ Medici took over the family bank in the 1430s, it became the largest in Europe. By managing the fortunes of the continent’s wealthy families, the Medici made themselves the wealthiest of them all. They were innovators in bookkeeping, including the use of debit-and-credit accounting that became one of the great spurs to progress

Cosimo died in 1464, just as Leonardo arrived in Florence from Vinci. He was succeeded by his son and then, five years later, his famous grandson, Lorenzo de’ Medici, aptly dubbed Lorenzo the Magnificent.

The Medici family, who ultimately became the rulers of Florence, began as political bosses on the democratic side. Cosimo dei Medici (1389-1464), the first of the family to achieve clear pre-eminence, still had no official position; his power depended upon skill in manipulating elections.

Après sa reprise par Côme de Médicis dans les années 1430, la banque familiale devient la plus importante d’Europe. En gérant les fortunes des riches familles du continent, celle des Médicis devient la plus nantie de toutes. Novatrive dans le domaine comptable, elle crée notamment la comptabilité basée sur le crédit et le débit qui constitue un fer