 |
Francesco MediciGrand Duke of Tuscany
Date of Birth: 25.03.1541
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Grand Duke of Tuscany
- Patron of the Arts
- Interest in Science
- Mysterious Death
- Forensic Investigation
- Ongoing Debate
Grand Duke of Tuscany
Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, was born in 1541. He ruled Tuscany from 1574 until his death in 1587. Like all Medici family members, Francesco was a patron of the arts.
Patron of the Arts
Francesco founded the Accademia della Crusca and the renowned Medici Theater. He also commissioned the construction of the Uffizi Gallery, which became one of Florence's most famous museums.
Interest in Science
In addition to the arts, Francesco was interested in natural science. He studied chemistry and alchemy.
Mysterious Death
Francesco and his wife, Bianca Cappello, died on the same day in 1587. Their deaths remained an unsolved mystery for many years. One theory suggested that Francesco's brother, Cardinal Ferdinando I de' Medici, poisoned them.
Forensic Investigation
In 2006, forensic scientists and toxicologists published a study in the 'British Medical Journal' claiming that Francesco and Bianca died from poisoning. However, further research revealed a protein specific to the Plasmodium falciparum parasite that causes malaria, indicating that the couple may have died from that disease instead.
Ongoing Debate
Two authoritative opinions exist regarding the cause of Francesco and Bianca's deaths: poisoning or malaria. The mystery surrounding their deaths continues to intrigue scholars to this day.
