Giancarlo de' Medici

Who was Giancarlo de' Medici?

Giancarlo de' Medici was an Italian cardinal of the House of Medici. He was the brother of Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

He was born at Florence as the third child of Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Maria Maddalena of Austria. He entered ecclesiastical state at the young age. On 14 November 1644 Pope Innocent X created him cardinal-deacon. He participated in the papal conclave, 1655 as one of leaders of the Spanish faction. After 1655 he returned to Florence. He was patron of science, letters and music. He founded the Accademia degli Immobili and contributed to the construction of Teatro della Pergola and the enrichment of the Galleria Palatina di Palazzo Pitti.

He died at Florence, of an apoplexy, at the age of 51.