BERLIN.- Five hundred years before the Renaissance reached its height, a single, bloody event in a Florentine cathedral irrevocably changed the course of art and politics. Today, the Bode Museum on Berlin’s Museum Island opens "The Pazzi Conspiracy: Power, Violence, and Art in Renaissance Florence," an exhibition that reconstructs the tragic attempt to overthrow the powerful Medici family.

Running until September 20, 2026, the special exhibition—a collaboration between the Coin Cabinet, the Sculpture Collection, and the Paintings Gallery—uses the State Museums' deep holdings to illuminate the pivotal moment of the Quattrocento (Early Renaissance).

The story begins in the choir of Florence Cathedral on April 26, 1478. During Mass, agents of the rival Pazzi family attacked brothers Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici. Giuliano was brutally murdered, but Lorenzo, later known as 'the Magnificent,' survived the attempt. His swift and violent retribution cemented his family’s control over Florence and sent a chilling message throughout Italy.

“The Pazzi Conspiracy summarizes the significance of the Italian Renaissance in an almost exemplary way,” the curators note, highlighting an era where "violent political and religious conflicts were transformed into unforgettable artistic creations."

Art as Testimony

The exhibition brings this high drama to life by showcasing the exquisite objects that served as both currency and propaganda during the era.

Visitors will find themselves face-to-face with the key players. The Coin Cabinet presents medals minted to commemorate both the tragedy and the subsequent executions, showcasing the political uses of art. These are supplemented by pieces from the James Simon Medal Collection.

The exhibition's artistic climax comes from the Sculpture Collection and the Paintings Gallery. Here, reliefs, busts, and portraits of the famous figures are displayed, most notably the haunting image of the deceased Giuliano de' Medici. Sandro Botticelli, an artist whose career was closely tied to the Medici, painted Giuliano's features shortly after the murder, capturing the young man with a tragically lowered gaze.

The emotional intensity of the event is underscored by wall text quoting the contemporary account of poet and humanist Angelo Poliziano, who described the horrific scene: "Bandini was the first to plunge his sword into his chest and stab the youth to death... The latter had fled into the sacristy with a fortunate few."

By weaving together these dramatic artifacts, the Bode Museum has crafted a compelling narrative that proves the history of the Renaissance is as much a story of daggers and political rivalry as it is one of paint and marble.

The exhibition "The Pazzi Conspiracy: Power, Violence, and Art in Renaissance Florence" is open at the Bode Museum, Berlin, from October 24, 2025, to September 20, 2026.