ABSTRACT
While not linked exclusively to aristocratic centers, scientific patronage in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries followed in large part from the cultural and practical interests of European Courts. Royal, princely, and imperial Courts differed widely with respect to specific patronage styles. Patronage varied as well according to the interests of particular patrons and the degree of the patron’s personal participation in the design and/or pursuit of individual projects. Regional distinctions also affected patronage typology. The interests of territorial rulers and ecclesiastical officials sometimes reflected practical political ambitions or took shape within specific political environments. Whatever the circumstances, relationships between patrons and clients were inevitably personal and usually dominated by the dynamics of competition, ambition, and dependence current within hierarchical and status-oriented Court societies. Patronage rewards could include grants of money or lands, pensions, and educational positions, as well as appointments, honors, and titles. These might be dispensed by a prince who sought the aid of a particular client or could evolve from a client’s own petition for support.
