When NFTs noticed their reputation explode in 2021, a rush of newcomers started to gather NFT artwork. A number of of those people have been praised as NFT artwork curators – however just one turned generally known as the grand patron of the digital arts. That particular person is Cozomo de’ Medici.

Taking their identify from a number one member of the fifteenth century Medici household, their actions, acquisitions and donations have been praised far and broad, leaving a long-lasting legacy on the artwork world.

NFT artwork is stronger at the moment due to them – however what precisely has Cozomo de’ Medici achieved, why are they so revered, and what may we see from Cozomo in future?

Right here’s our full information to Cozomo de’ Medici.

Key Insights

• A pseudonymous digital artwork collector, named after fifteenth century artwork patron Cosimo de’ Medici
• Emerged in July 2021 by buying CryptoPunk #3831
• Has acquired many 1-of-1 NFTs from the likes of XCOPY, Sam Spratt, Claire Silver and extra
• Donated 22 influential works to LACMA in February 2023
• Extensively thought-about to be one of many world’s main NFT artwork patrons

Who’s Cozomo de’ Medici?

Cozomo de’ Medici is a digital artwork collector, angel investor, and common determine within the NFT neighborhood.

Named after fifteenth century Florentine banker Cosimo de’ Medici, they regard themselves as a patron of digital artwork. Medici has constructed a notable assortment of blockchain-based artworks – generally known as the Cozomo de’ Medici Assortment – which options works from lots of the most celebrated NFT artists on the planet.

Cozomo shares their insights on digital artwork, upcoming artists and life experiences with over 300,000 followers on X – sharing much more by way of the Medici Minutes e-newsletter. These updates supply a peek into the world of digital artwork, protecting market traits, breakthrough artists, and their journey as a collector.

On prime of buying artwork, Medici promotes digital artwork by each digital and bodily exhibitions. Utilizing main platforms corresponding to Deca and OnCyber, Cozomo shows their assortment to artwork followers the world over, serving to to deliver digital artwork to the plenty.

Medici is an advocate for the concept that anybody can develop into an artwork collector, regardless of your disposable revenue. They champion the concept of bringing digital artwork into the house, and have invested in applied sciences that assist to do that in an effort to make high quality artwork one thing that’s inside attain for a wider viewers.

What has Cozomo de’ Medici carried out thus far?

Cozomo de’ Medici emerged within the NFT business by the acquisition CryptoPunk #3831 – generally known as ‘CoZom’ – in July 2021. That nickname impressed the adoption of the Cozomo de’ Medici alias, and the naming of their purchases as The Medici Assortment – which shortly turned a infamous assortment in NFT artwork circles.

Rumours over Medici’s true id shortly started to swirl. In response, Medici posted a tweet stating that they’d reveal themselves on their private account. Shortly after, Snoop Dogg tweeted “I am @CozomoMedici“.

This seemed to confirm their identity – but subsequent investigations suggested that this was a publicity stunt, with Snoop getting involved to grow his own presence in the industry. To this day, Medici is yet to reveal their true identity, and has remained as an alias ever since.

Though Medici initially intended to only make a single NFT purchase, they soon found themselves acquiring more. Inspired by other collectors and digital art galleries, Medici began to curate a collection of NFTs that spanned a variety of styles and mediums. This included multiple CryptoPunks, Fidenza by Tyler Hobbs, and notable works from XCOPY, DeeKay, Claire Silver and more.

By building this collection – and in turn supporting a large number of high-profile artists – Medici not only became a key figure in the growing NFT art movement, but also one of the world’s leading NFT art collectors.

Medici has used this status to help promote digital art to mass market audience. They’ve helped to organise many physical exhibitions across the world, as well as investing into companies that develop digital art displays for the home.

What NFTs has Cozomo de’ Medici purchased?

Medici has acquired a wide array of NFT art from some of the biggest names in the industry. This includes works from the likes of:

• XCOPY: Known for punk-inspired works, XCOPY‘s art embodies the more outspoken side of crypto art
• Sam Spratt: Discovered through FEWOCiOUS, Medici owns “I. Birth of Luci”, “VII. Wormfood” and plenty of others
• DeeKay: A movement graphics specialist, DeeKay’s NFTs are dynamic, polished and fluid
• Claire Silver: An AI artwork pioneer, Silver’s work blends human enter with breakthrough machine studying ideas
• Yam Karkai: Co-founder of World of Ladies, her work promotes variety and inclusivity – a trigger that’s near Medici’s coronary heart
• Vissyarts: A Malaysian artist who moved from conventional artwork to the NFT house, Medici’s assist has been important in her work discovering a brand new legion of followers

Along with supporting artists, Medici invests in firms that improve the digital artwork expertise – together with PIP Labs, Fountain, Spaceport and extra.

What NFTs has Cozomo de’ Medici donated?

In February 2023, Cozomo de’ Medici introduced a donation of twenty-two NFT artworks to the Los Angeles County Museum of Artwork (LACMA). This was each “the first donation of on-chain art from a collector to a museum,” and “the largest [tokenized] digital fine art collection to enter a museum.”

These 22 items represented the work of 13 separate artists, with all items created between 2017 and 2022. Types ranged from AI and generative artwork to books, movies, sculptures, pictures and extra, and the donation was shortly seen as a major second in NFT artwork historical past.

Medici’s intentions with this donation was for this NFT artwork to “sit in one of the greatest art collections in human history” – with LACMA additionally in possession of world-renowned artworks from Rembrant, Picasso, Monet and plenty of extra.

Moreover, Medici desired for this donation to “forever cement the on-chain art movement in the canon of art history,” and serve to advertise his hope that world-renowned museums may “hold the greatest digital works alongside the greatest physical [works].”

What’s subsequent for Cozomo de’ Medici?

Cozomo de’ Medici continues to be a serious identify in NFT artwork, amassing notable items on a weekly foundation, persevering with to organise and promote digital artwork, and supporting worthwhile causes.

Their assist of not simply particular person artists, however NFT artwork as a complete, has been important in each NFT artwork and digital artwork discovering elevated acceptance within the conventional artwork world as a invaluable type of creative expression, and one that’s worthy of equal benefit in some ways.

Medici has made an unimaginable influence on digital artwork thus far – and as their actions proceed, anticipate Medici to play a key function in the way forward for digital artwork too.