After Lorenzo’s death, in 1492, Florentine strength waned under the tactless rule of his son Piero, who dressed like an emperor and commanded Michelangelo to sculpt him a snowman. Yet cultural imperialism, unlike its military counterpart, tends to outlast its sources, growing in vigor. Essential for Florentine survival and Italian stability in Lorenzo’s lifetime, art has rightly become his most visible legacy, an immortal tribute to the Medici.

"Veni, Vidi, Medici" originally appeared in the May 2008 issue of Art+Auction. For a complete list of articles from this issue available on ARTINFO, see Art+Auction's May 2008 Table of Contents.