Taddeo Barberini

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Taddeo Barberini
Carlo Barberini
MotherCostanza Magalotti

Taddeo Barberini (1603–1647) was an

Francesco Barberini and Antonio Barberini. Thanks to their uncle's famous nepotism
, the brothers shaped 17th-century Italian politics, religion, art, music and architecture.

Biography

Barberini was born in 1603, the son of

Collegio Romano.[3]

Pontificate of Pope Urban VIII

In 1623, Maffeo Barberini was elected as Pope Urban VIII and Taddeo Barberini's fortunes improved considerably. Almost immediately, Barberini was appointed Gonfalonier of the Church; Commander of the Papal Army, though during later conflicts his brother Cardinal Antonio Barberini also commanded papal and mercenary troops in the field.

In 1624, Taddeo took control of the

Francesco Maria died in 1631, the duchy was transferred to the Papal States.[4]

On 14 October 1627 Barberini married

cardinal. Taddeo's hereditary titles therefore passed to his second son, Maffeo
.

As Prince of Palestrina, Taddeo worked to improve local buildings and establish new services, even if many of them were primarily self-serving. He rebuilt the Palazzo Barberini (which still houses the Nile mosaic of Palestrina) and his son Maffeo later commissioned a new church nearby. Taddeo built a small private casino which operated for a few years during his administration but closed when future princes had no interest in gambling.[7]

Investiture of Taddeo Barberini as Prefect by Pope Urban

Pope Urban further honoured his nephew in 1631 by appointing him Governor of the Borgo, Commander of Sant'Angelo and Prefect of Rome. Taddeo's investiture as prefect was celebrated with much pomp and extravagance.[4]

It is estimated that by 1632, Taddeo's property was worth as much as 4 million

scudi and that over the course of Urban VIII's 21-year reign, Taddeo amassed 42 million scudi in personal wealth.[5] By 1635, income from Taddeo's property was estimated at 100,000 scudi per year.[4]

First War of Castro

Main article: Wars of Castro

In 1639,

Duke of Parma and Piacenza, came to Rome and during his visit managed to insult Taddeo's cardinal brothers. Pope Urban responded by banning grain shipments from Farnese controlled areas. When the Farnese were then unable to pay their debts the Pope sent debt collectors.[8] Finally the Pope troops to occupy Castro. The Pope's forces were led by Antonio Barberini, his mercenary field commander Luigi Mattei and by Fabrizio Savelli. When Savelli proved to be an unenthusiastic commander, he was returned to Rome and Taddeo Barberini was appointed in his place.[9]

Castro fell without significant resistance and the victory was celebrated in song by

Barberini family composer, Marco Marazzoli. But the victory was short-lived and thereafter papal troops suffered a series of decisive losses. Pope Urban was forced to accept defeat and signed a peace treaty
with the Farnese Dukes in an attempt to prevent them from marching on Rome itself.

Exile and death

In 1644, Taddeo's uncle Pope Urban VIII died and the

Papal conclave of 1644, Taddeo's cardinal brothers engineered a deal to ensure the safety of their family's fortunes. But the new Pope refused to honour the deal and launched an investigation into alleged financial abuses during the First War of Castro. Taddeo Barberini and his brothers were forced into exile and fled to Paris in 1646 where they were supported by Cardinal Jules Mazarin
. Taddeo's wife Anna Colonna appealed to Pope Innocent urging him to allow the Barberini to keep their property. Innocent agreed but the Barberini remained in exile for several more years.

Taddeo Barberini died in 1647 while in exile in France without ever seeing Rome again.

Issue

Camilla Barberini as a child, shortly before her death; painted by Tiberio Tito.

Taddeo and Anna Colonna had five children:

  • Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena
  • Camilla Barberini (1629–1631) who died in infancy
  • Cardinal
  • Maffeo Barberini who became Prince of Palestrina
  • Niccolò Maria Barberini (1635–1699)

Legacy

The Barberini family was reconciled with the papacy, at least in part, through Taddeo's two sons,

Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena.[citation needed
]

Barberini's secretary, Corinzio Benicampi, accompanied the young Carlo Maratta to Rome in 1636.[10] The well-known Baroque artist later received one of his first commissions, The Glory of Saints, from Taddeo. The painting was finished in 1645, two years before Taddeo's death.[citation needed]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taddeo Barberini.
  1. ^ Alberto Merola, "Barberini, Taddeo", in D.B.I. VI 1964 180a-182b
  2. ^ "Worldroots - Barberini". Archived from the original on 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  3. ^ Power And Religion in Baroque Rome: Barberini Cultural Policies by P. J. A. N. Rietbergen (Brill, 2006)
  4. ^ a b c History of the popes; their church and state (Volume III) by Leopold von Ranke (Wellesley College Library, reprint; 2009)
  5. ^ a b Papal Genealogy: The Families And Descendants Of The Popes by George L. Williams (McFarland, 2004)
  6. ^ Marriage in Italy, 1300-1650 by Trevor Dean & K.J.P. Lowe (Cambridge University Press, 2002)
  7. ^ Palestrina by Roberto Piperno (last revised: May 2012)
  8. ^ The Duchy of Castro by Roberto Piperno (last revised: May 2012)
  9. ^ Pope Alexander the Seventh and the College of Cardinals by John Bargrave, edited by James Craigie Robertson (reprint; 2009)
  10. ^ Giovan Pietro Bellori: The Lives of the Modern Painters, Sculptors and Architects: A New Translation and Critical Edition translations and additions by Hellmut Wohl (Cambridge University Press, 2005).
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