Papal Patronage of San Cosimato
Title
Description
In the middle of the 15th century, each of the Roman Franciscan convents (San Cosimato, San Lorenzo in Panisperna, and San Silvestro in Capite) were reformed and re-staffed with nuns from Observant Clarissan convents in Perugia. They also expanded from 12 to 70 nuns between 1451 and 1521. It was common for nuns to move from convent to convent when personnel were needed.
Regarding patronage and the activities within San Cosimato, the main source is a chronicle written in the late 16th century by a nun named Suor Orsola Formicini. Formicini was a chronicler and historian who looked to past chronicles in her writing. Convent chronicles were uncommon enough to be considered precious but common enough to comprise a genre of writing. From Formicini and other primary sources like papal and convent transactional records, we can get a sense of how papal patronage looked in the 15th and 16th centuries.
In 1439 Pope Eugenius IV issued a bull that brought all Clarissan convents under protection of the papacy rather than episcopal jurisdiction. In 1475, Franciscan Pope Sixtus IV, a lover of art and scholarship who was known for restoring Roman buildings, took on a large project at San Cosimato. He added a new church, campanile, cortile (courtyard), and sent money to the nuns whenever they sent him figs or peaches from their property. Sixtus’ fondness for San Cosimato might have been due to his Franciscan beliefs and his interest in developing this part of Trastevere. Sixtus’ sister, Franchetta, might have also been a patron of San Cosimato, as her request to be buried there may signify.
Popes after Sixtus IV also patronized San Cosimato. In 1492, right before his death, Pope Innocent VIII wanted to send two of his nieces to be educated in good manners at the convent. After Pope Innocent VIII, Pope Alexander VI created subsidies of foodstuffs for convents. His mistress, Vannozza Catanei, might have also been a patron, suggested by her inclusion in a portrait with other benefactors. In the 15th and 16th century, popes employed a patriarchal kind of patronage at San Cosimato, where they provided building works, female patrons, long term subsidy programs, and waived taxes. The popes and nuns enjoyed mutual gains– popes were able to bolster their reputations and nuns received practical help and monetary aid.
Creator
Edited by Julia Tassava (2026)
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Spatial Coverage
Description
In the middle of the 15th century, each of the Roman Franciscan convents (San Cosimato, San Lorenzo in Panisperna, and San Silvestro in Capite) were reformed and re-staffed with nuns from Observant Clarissan convents in Perugia. They also expanded from 12 to 70 nuns between 1451 and 1521. It was common for nuns to move from convent to convent when personnel were needed.
Regarding patronage and the activities within San Cosimato, the main source is a chronicle written in the late 16th century by a nun named Suor Orsola Formicini. Formicini was a chronicler and historian who looked to past chronicles in her writing. Convent chronicles were uncommon enough to be considered precious but common enough to comprise a genre of writing. From Formicini and other primary sources like papal and convent transactional records, we can get a sense of how papal patronage looked in the 15th and 16th centuries.
In 1439 Pope Eugenius IV issued a bull that brought all Clarissan convents under protection of the papacy rather than episcopal jurisdiction. In 1475, Franciscan Pope Sixtus IV, a lover of art and scholarship who was known for restoring Roman buildings, took on a large project at San Cosimato. He added a new church, campanile, cortile (courtyard), and sent money to the nuns whenever they sent him figs or peaches from their property. Sixtus’ fondness for San Cosimato might have been due to his Franciscan beliefs and his interest in developing this part of Trastevere. Sixtus’ sister, Franchetta, might have also been a patron of San Cosimato, as her request to be buried there may signify.
Popes after Sixtus IV also patronized San Cosimato. In 1492, right before his death, Pope Innocent VIII wanted to send two of his nieces to be educated in good manners at the convent. After Pope Innocent VIII, Pope Alexander VI created subsidies of foodstuffs for convents. His mistress, Vannozza Catanei, might have also been a patron, suggested by her inclusion in a portrait with other benefactors. In the 15th and 16th century, popes employed a patriarchal kind of patronage at San Cosimato, where they provided building works, female patrons, long term subsidy programs, and waived taxes. The popes and nuns enjoyed mutual gains– popes were able to bolster their reputations and nuns received practical help and monetary aid.
Creator
Simón Gutkin (2018)Edited by Julia Tassava (2026)