Which major Renaissance artists received patronage in Rome during Leo X’s papacy?

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During the papacy of Leo X (reigned 1513–1521), Rome remained a vibrant cultural center where several major Renaissance artists were active.

  • Raphael: He was the most prominent artist under Leo X, who placed him in charge of virtually all papal artistic projects in Rome. Raphael continued decorating the Vatican apartments, painted the portrait of Leo X with Two Cardinals, and was commissioned to design 10 large tapestries for the Sistine Chapel. In 1514, the pope chose him to work on St. Peter’s Basilica, and he was later appointed commissioner of antiquities for the city.12
  • Leonardo da Vinci: He moved to Rome in 1513 under the patronage of the pope’s brother, Giuliano de’ Medici. While he resided in the Vatican, he received no major papal commissions and focused primarily on mathematical and technical studies.1
  • Michelangelo: Although he was in Rome during this period, Leo X primarily employed him in Florence on projects intended to glorify the Medici family rather than the papacy.3