Girolamo Savonarola. Girolamo Savonarola was an ascetic Dominican friar from Ferrara and a preacher active in Renaissance Florence.
He is portrayed in art as a charismatic and imposing figure, a fervent preacher with a stern expression and a powerful presence.
He is usually shown wearing the Dominican habit and with a shaved head. His eyes are often piercing and intense, reflecting his passionate and uncompromising nature.
He became known for his prophecies of civic glory, his advocacy of the destruction of secular art and culture, and his calls for Christian renewal. He denounced clerical corruption, despotic rule, and the exploitation of the poor.
In September 1494, when King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy and threatened Florence, Savonarola's prophecies seemed on the verge of fulfillment. While the friar intervened with the French king, the Florentines expelled the ruling Medicis and, at Savonarola's urging, established a well received republic, effectively under Savonarola's control.
Declaring that Florence would be the New Jerusalem, the world centre of Christianity and richer, more powerful, more glorious than ever, he instituted an extreme moralistic campaign, enlisting the active help of Florentine youth. In 1495, when Florence refused to join Pope Alexander VI's Holy League against the French, the Vatican summoned Savonarola to Rome. He disobeyed, and further defied the pope by prea
He is usually shown wearing the Dominican habit and with a shaved head. His eyes are often piercing and intense, reflecting his passionate and uncompromising nature.
He became known for his prophecies of civic glory, his advocacy of the destruction of secular art and culture, and his calls for Christian renewal. He denounced clerical corruption, despotic rule, and the exploitation of the poor.
In September 1494, when King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy and threatened Florence, Savonarola's prophecies seemed on the verge of fulfillment. While the friar intervened with the French king, the Florentines expelled the ruling Medicis and, at Savonarola's urging, established a well received republic, effectively under Savonarola's control.
Declaring that Florence would be the New Jerusalem, the world centre of Christianity and richer, more powerful, more glorious than ever, he instituted an extreme moralistic campaign, enlisting the active help of Florentine youth. In 1495, when Florence refused to join Pope Alexander VI's Holy League against the French, the Vatican summoned Savonarola to Rome. He disobeyed, and further defied the pope by prea
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