Final answer:
The Medici family was the rich and influential family who had significant control over Florence, Italy. Their wealth stemmed from their involvement in the textile industry and banking. They greatly influenced the arts and culture, catalyzing the Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rich family that had great control in Florence, Italy was the Medici family. They were a wealthy family in the 15th century and supported many of the city's institutions. Moreover, they were notable patrons of the arts and were instrumental in the development of the Italian Renaissance.
The Medici family's wealth was rooted in the textile industry and banking. Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici, considered the family's founder, began this legacy by establishing the Medici Bank, which became the most successful bank in Italy. His son Cosimo de' Medici took over, and his influence as a patron of arts, culture, and architecture began the cultural movement now known as the Renaissance.
Under Lorenzo de' Medici, often known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, their patronage flourished, financially supporting artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The Medici influence extended well beyond the arts. Two family members were also elected popes - Pope Leo X and Pope Clement VII.
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