Filippo Strozzi at The Louvre, Paris

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Filippo Strozzi the Elder was an Italian banker and statesman born on July 4, 1428. He came from a wealthy family in Florence known as the Strozzi. His parents were Matteo Strozzi and Alessandra Macinghi. As a young man, Filippo opposed Cosimo de' Medici, leading to his banishment along with his entire family. The Medici saw Palla Strozzi's opposition to their rule as a threat, so they expelled the Strozzi from Florence. Filippo moved to Naples where he established himself as a skilled banker. When he returned to Florence, he commissioned Benedetto da Maiano to build the famous Strozzi palace. However, Filippo passed away in 1491 before its completion. Benedetto da Maiano was an Italian sculptor who worked during the early Renaissance period. He started his career in Fiesole and later trained under Antonio Rossellino, a renowned sculptor. Under Rossellino's guidance, Benedetto learned to work with marble and eventually became more famous than his mentor. Benedetto specialized in wood-mosaic before transitioning to marble. He created many notable works, including a shrine dedicated to San Savino for the Faenza cathedral. His early work included portraits of important Florentines like Pietro Mellini. In 1475, Benedetto worked with his brother Giuliano on the Collegiata church in San Gimignano. Their collaboration produced an impressive carved altar in the chapel of Santa Fina. The following year, they built and made sculptures for the Madonna dell'Olivo oratory outside Prato. Benedetto's most famous work is the marble pulpit in the Santa Croce church in Florence, which features scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He died in Florence at the age of 55 in 1497.