The Renaissance is often remembered as a time of artistic brilliance, scientific discovery, and cultural rebirth. But beneath the polished surface of masterpieces and intellectual breakthroughs, the era was full of bizarre, scandalous, and downright wild moments. From artists throwing paint at popes to poisonings at dinner parties, the Renaissance was anything but dull. Here are five fun facts that reveal just how wild it really was.
1. Michelangelo Once Threw a Plank of Wood at the Pope
Michelangelo, the genius behind the Sistine Chapel ceiling, wasn’t exactly known for his patience—especially when it came to Pope Julius II. The two had a famously volatile relationship. At one point, the pope kept pestering Michelangelo about when his tomb would be finished. Frustrated, the artist snapped, “When I can!”
Things escalated when the pope, impatient as ever, stormed into Michelangelo’s studio unannounced. In a fit of rage, Michelangelo reportedly hurled a wooden plank at him from the scaffolding, shouting, “This is not my craft!” Surprisingly, the pope didn’t punish him—instead, he doubled Michelangelo’s pay to keep him working.
2. Leonardo da Vinci Was a Chronic Procrastinator (and Possibly a Vegetarian)
Leonardo da Vinci was a man of endless curiosity, but he was also notorious for leaving projects unfinished. His notebooks were filled with groundbreaking ideas—flying machines, underwater breathing devices—but many were never realized in his lifetime. He even left some of his most famous paintings, like The Mona Lisa, incomplete for years.
Adding to his quirks, da Vinci may have been one of history’s earliest vegetarians. He wrote passionately about animal rights, calling meat-eaters “walking tombs for dead animals.” He also reportedly bought caged birds just to set them free.
3. The Medici Family Ran a Mafia-Style Political Empire
The Medici family of Florence were the ultimate Renaissance power players—bankers, politicians, and ruthless strategists. They weren’t just patrons of the arts; they were also masters of political manipulation.
Cosimo de’ Medici, the family patriarch, was exiled from Florence after a rival faction took power. But instead of fading into obscurity, he used his vast wealth to bribe his way back into the city. Once reinstated, he systematically destroyed his enemies, exiling or imprisoning them. His grandson, Lorenzo the Magnificent, continued the tradition, using strategic marriages, assassinations, and even poisoning to maintain control.
4. Poison Was the Preferred Weapon of Choice
If you were a noble in Renaissance Italy, watching your drink was a matter of life and death. Poisoning was so common that aristocrats carried “unicorn horns” (actually narwhal tusks) to detect toxins in their wine.
The infamous Borgia family, led by Pope Alexander VI and his son Cesare, were notorious poisoners. Rumors swirled that they used a special “cantarella” poison—a mix of arsenic and other deadly substances—to eliminate rivals. Even dinner parties weren’t safe: guests would sometimes drop dead mid-meal.
5. Women Dressed as Men to Get Into Universities
Higher education was strictly off-limits for women during the Renaissance—unless they were willing to break the rules. Some bold women disguised themselves as men to attend universities.
One famous case was Elena Cornaro Piscopia, who became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in 1678—but only after years of fighting for recognition. Another, Laura Bassi, secretly studied physics and mathematics before becoming the first female professor at the University of Bologna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was the Renaissance really as violent as these facts suggest? A: While it was a time of great cultural achievement, political intrigue, crime, and personal rivalries were rampant. Poisonings, assassinations, and power struggles were common among the elite.
Q: Did any Renaissance artists have rivalries? A: Absolutely! Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci famously disliked each other, and Michelangelo once called da Vinci a “fraud” in public.
Q: Were there any female artists during the Renaissance? A: Yes, though they were rare. Artemisia Gentileschi became one of the most celebrated painters of the era, despite facing immense discrimination.
Q: Why was poison so popular? A: It was discreet, hard to trace, and allowed killers to avoid direct confrontation—perfect for political assassinations.
Final Thoughts
The Renaissance wasn’t just about serene Madonnas and perfectly proportioned sculptures—it was a time of high drama, fierce rivalries, and outrageous behavior. Behind every masterpiece was a story of ambition, scandal, or sheer audacity. So the next time you admire a Renaissance painting, remember: the artist probably had a wilder life than you’d expect.