Girolamo Benivieni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Girolamo Benivieni
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Portrait of Benivieni at the National Gallery in London, painted between 1510 and 1520, and attributed to Ridolfo Ghirlandaio
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| Born | 6 February 1453 Florence, Republic of Florence
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| Died | August 1542 |
| Occupation | Poet |
Girolamo Benivieni (born February 6, 1453 – died August 1542) was a poet and musician from Florence, Italy. His father worked as a notary, which is like a public official who deals with legal documents. Girolamo often had poor health. This made it hard for him to have a regular job.
Girolamo Benivieni's Life
Girolamo Benivieni was an important member of the Medicean Academy. This was a group dedicated to studying literature and writing. He became good friends with Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, another famous thinker. They first met in 1479. Pico della Mirandola encouraged Girolamo to study something called Neoplatonism. This was a way of thinking that combined old Greek ideas with Christian beliefs.
His Time with Savonarola
In the late 1480s, Girolamo and Pico della Mirandola became students of a religious leader. His name was Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola was a Dominican friar, which is a type of monk. In 1496, Girolamo Benivieni helped Savonarola by translating his teachings. He changed them from Italian into Latin.
After he started following Savonarola, Girolamo changed his own writing. He decided his older poems were not spiritual enough. He then tried to write poetry that was more religious. He even took part in Savonarola's famous Bonfire of the Vanities. This was an event where people burned things they thought were sinful. Girolamo wrote about how art worth "thousands of ducats" was destroyed. A ducat was a type of old money.
Working with Important People
Girolamo Benivieni received support for his writing from a noblewoman. Her name was Lucrezia de' Medici. She was a very important person in Florence. Both Girolamo and Lucrezia were very interested in the works of the famous poet Dante Alighieri.
In 1506, Girolamo published a special edition of Dante's Divine Comedy. This book included maps made by Antonio Manetti. It also had comments from both Manetti and Girolamo.
In 1515, Girolamo helped Lucrezia write a letter. This letter was sent to her brother, who was Pope Leo X. A Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church. The letter asked for help to bring Dante's body back to Florence. Dante had died in another city. In 1519, Girolamo signed another request to Pope Leo. This request also asked for Dante's return from Ravenna.
Girolamo also used his connection with Lucrezia to share his ideas. He wanted to see changes in the church. He spoke with her brother, Pope Leo X. Later, he also spoke with her cousin, Pope Clement VII. In 1530, he wrote a letter to Pope Clement. In this letter, he defended Savonarola. He wanted Savonarola's good name to be restored within the church.
Girolamo Benivieni was buried in San Marco, Florence, Italy. He rests there with his friend, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola.
