Strozzi

Strozzi , noble Florentine family. It grew rich through commerce and took an active part in the government of the city after the 13th cent. Later the Strozzi strongly opposed the Medici rule of Florence. Among the Strozzi, there were several eminent soldiers, scholars, and men of letters. At an early date the family divided into several branches. Palla Strozzi, c.1373-1462, a politician and ardent humanist, furthered Greek studies in Florence and Padua. Filippo Strozzi, 1428-91, was banished by the Medici, gained wealth and influence in Naples, and after his return to Florence began to build the celebrated Strozzi Palace. His son Filippo Strozzi, 1489-1538, married a granddaughter of Lorenzo de' Medici; he was first friendly to the Medici, then became a staunch opponent. He led Florentine exiles against Cosimo I de' Medici, was captured, and died in prison. His son Leone Strozzi, 1515-54, first entered the Order of Malta and later became an admiral in the French service. He distinguished himself in wars against Spain and England. Another son of Filippo, Piero Strozzi, d. 1558, a violent enemy of the Medici, fought for the French in the Italian Wars and was made a marshal of France. He took part in the French siege of Calais (1557). Filippo Strozzi, 1541-82, was also in the French service. He was captured and killed by the Spanish in a naval battle off the Azores.

Strozzi, Bernardo (b Genoa, 1581; d Venice, 2 Aug. 1644). The leading Genoese painter of his period. He became a Capuchin monk in 1598, hence his nicknames, II Prete Genovese (the Genoese priest) and II Cappuccino (the Capuchin). In 1610 he was allowed to leave his monastery to support his sick and widowed mother and his unmarried sister. By 1630 his mother was dead and his sister had married, and Strozzi is said to have been pressurized to return to the monastery, this accounting for his move in 1630/1 to Venice (where he spent the rest of his life). Strozzi was successful and prolific in both Genoa and Venice, painting portraits and allegorical and genre scenes (often of musicians) as well as religious works. The sensuous richness of his style was influenced by Rubens (who worked in Genoa), but his paintings are highly distinctive, with an air of refinement and tenderness that recalls van Dyck (who also worked in Genoa). During Strozzi's time in Venice there was a dearth of native talent in the city, and with two other ‘foreigners’, Feti and Liss, he kept alive the painterly tradition of the 16th century.

Strozzi, Bernardo (1581–1644). The leading Genoese painter of his period. He became a Capuchin monk in 1598, hence his nicknames, Il Prete Genovese (‘the Genoese priest’) and Il Cappuccino (‘the Capuchin’). In 1610 he was allowed to leave his monastery to support his sick and widowed mother and his unmarried sister. By 1630 his mother was dead and his sister had married, and Strozzi is said to have been pressurized to return, this accounting for his move in 1630/1 to Venice (where he spent the rest of his life). Strozzi was successful and prolific in both Genoa and Venice, painting portraits and allegorical and genre scenes (often of musicians) as well as religious works. The sensuous richness of his style was influenced by Rubens (who worked in Genoa), but his paintings are highly distinctive, with an air of refinement and tenderness that recalls van Dyck (who also worked in Genoa). During Strozzi's time in Venice there was a dearth of native talent in the city, and with two other ‘foreigners’, Feti and Liss, he kept alive the painterly tradition of the 16th century.