Mattias de' Medici

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Mattias de' Medici
Roman Catholicism

Mattias de' Medici (9 May 1613 – 11 October 1667) was the third son of

Archduchess Maria Maddalena of Austria. He was governor of Siena, with interruptions, from 1629. He never married.[1]

Biography

Mattias pursued an ecclesiastical career, like his brother

Ferdinando de' Medici, the elder son. On 29 May 1629, Grand Duke Ferdinando appointed Mattias governor of Siena, following the death of their aunt and the then governor, Caterina de' Medici.[2]

He arrived in his domain on 27 August and took up residence in the Piazza del Duomo. Spending the bulk of his time in Siena, he was immensely popular among the Sienese.[2] In 1631, he joined the Austrian belligerency in the Thirty Years' War. He took part in the famous battle of Lützen,[3] in November 1632, where he met Sienese General Ottavio Piccolomini.

Upon his return to the grand duchy in 1641, he resumed the reins of Sienese government. He did not stay long, nevertheless, as the

Barberini Pope, entrusting the government of Siena to his brother Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici for the duration of his absence.[citation needed
]

Mattias adored the arts, patronising

Volterrano and many other eminent artists. He also loved horse races and was particularly enthusiast of the famous Palio, which he promoted during its early history. While in Germany, he acquired scientific instruments, such as dials, astrolabes and compasses; all of which he later deposited in the Uffizi.[citation needed
]

In later life, suffering from gout, he pondered re-assuming ecclesiastical garb; however, he fell ill and died in Siena on 11 October 1667 at 54 years of age. He was buried in the Medici tombs in

San Lorenzo, Florence.[4]

References

Another portrait of Mattias by Sustermans.

Citations

  1. ^ Young, The Medici: Volume II, p 531.
  2. ^ a b c Young, The Medici: Volume II, p 433.
  3. ^ Young, The Medici: Volume II, p 403.
  4. ^ Young, The Medici: Volume II, p 455.

Bibliography

  • Young, G.F.: The Medici: Volume II, John Murray, London, 1920

Ancestors

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mattias de' Medici.
Mattias de' Medici
Born: 9 May 1613 Died: 11 October 1667
Political offices
Preceded by
Governor of Siena

1629-1636 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Leopoldo de' Medici
 Governor of Siena
1641-1643
Governor of Siena
1644-1667 		Succeeded by
Francesco Maria de' Medici
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mattias_de%27_Medici&oldid=1217592794"