The Medici family played a crucial role in the Renaissance, notably in 15th-century Florence, where they became leading patrons of the arts and sciences. Their wealth, derived from banking, enabled them to support artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli, fostering cultural and intellectual growth. The Medici's influence extended beyond the arts; they were deeply involved in politics, producing several popes and maintaining significant power in European affairs. Their patronage helped to cultivate an environment that emphasized humanism and innovation, leading to a flourishing of art and thought that defined the Renaissance era and left a lasting legacy in Western culture.