What kinds of art objects did Lorenzo de’ Medici collect?

Lorenzo de’ Medici, often called "the Magnificent," was a prominent patron and collector who favored small, private art objects over the large-scale public commissions favored by his predecessors. His personal collection included:1

• Antiquities: Lorenzo had a profound enthusiasm for collecting ancient artifacts, with a particular focus on cameos, gems, and medals.21
• Manuscripts and Tapestries: Alongside his father, he avidly collected Flemish tapestries and manuscripts.2
• Statuettes: He commissioned pastiche-antique model statuettes, notably from the artist Bertoldo di Giovanni.1

Beyond these specific objects, Lorenzo fostered an environment that supported the careers of legendary artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. He famously established a sculpture garden where the young Michelangelo honed his craft. His collecting habits reflected his identity as a humanist intellectual, prioritizing items that could be appreciated in a private, scholarly setting.321