When NFTs saw their popularity explode in 2021, a rush of newcomers began to collect NFT art. A few of these individuals were praised as NFT art curators – but only one became known as the grand patron of the digital arts. That person is Cozomo de’ Medici.
Taking their name from a leading member of the 15th century Medici family, their actions, acquisitions and donations have been praised far and wide, leaving a lasting legacy on the art world.
NFT art is stronger today because of them – but what exactly has Cozomo de’ Medici achieved, why are they so respected, and what could we see from Cozomo in future?
Here’s our complete guide to Cozomo de’ Medici.
Key Insights
- A pseudonymous digital art collector, named after 15th century art patron Cosimo de’ Medici
- Emerged in July 2021 by purchasing CryptoPunk #3831
- Has acquired many 1-of-1 NFTs from the likes of XCOPY, Sam Spratt, Claire Silver and more
- Donated 22 influential works to LACMA in February 2023
- Widely considered to be one of the world’s leading NFT art patrons
Who is Cozomo de’ Medici?
Cozomo de’ Medici is a digital art collector, angel investor, and popular figure in the NFT community.
Named after 15th century Florentine banker Cosimo de’ Medici, they regard themselves as a patron of digital art. Medici has built a notable collection of blockchain-based artworks – known as the Cozomo de’ Medici Collection – which features works from many of the most celebrated NFT artists in the world.
Cozomo shares their insights on digital art, upcoming artists and life experiences with over 300,000 followers on X – sharing even more via the Medici Minutes newsletter. These updates offer a peek into the world of digital art, covering market trends, breakthrough artists, and their journey as a collector.
On top of acquiring art, Medici promotes digital art through both virtual and physical exhibitions. Using leading platforms such as Deca and OnCyber, Cozomo displays their collection to art fans across the world, helping to bring digital art to the masses.
Medici is an advocate for the idea that anyone can become an art collector, no matter your disposable income. They champion the idea of bringing digital art into the home, and have invested in technologies that help to do this in an effort to make quality art something that’s within reach for a wider audience.
What has Cozomo de’ Medici done so far?
Cozomo de’ Medici emerged in the NFT industry through the purchase CryptoPunk #3831 – known as ‘CoZom’ – in July 2021. That nickname inspired the adoption of the Cozomo de’ Medici alias, and the naming of their purchases as The Medici Collection – which quickly became a notorious collection in NFT art circles.
Rumours over Medici’s true identity quickly began to swirl. In response, Medici posted a tweet stating that they’d reveal themselves on their personal 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 many others
- DeeKay: A motion graphics specialist, DeeKay’s NFTs are dynamic, polished and fluid
- Claire Silver: An AI art pioneer, Silver’s work blends human input with breakthrough machine learning concepts
- Yam Karkai: Co-founder of World of Women, her work promotes diversity and inclusivity – a cause that’s close to Medici’s heart
- Vissyarts: A Malaysian artist who moved from traditional art to the NFT space, Medici’s support has been vital in her work finding a new legion of fans
In addition to supporting artists, Medici invests in companies that enhance the digital art experience – including PIP Labs, Fountain, Spaceport and more.
What NFTs has Cozomo de’ Medici donated?
In February 2023, Cozomo de’ Medici announced a donation of 22 NFT artworks to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). This was both “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 pieces represented the work of 13 separate artists, with all pieces created between 2017 and 2022. Styles ranged from AI and generative art to books, videos, sculptures, photos and more, and the donation was quickly seen as a significant moment in NFT art history.
Medici’s intentions with this donation was for this NFT art to “sit in one of the greatest art collections in human history” – with LACMA also in possession of world-renowned artworks from Rembrant, Picasso, Monet and many more.
Furthermore, Medici desired for this donation to “forever cement the on-chain art movement in the canon of art history,” and serve to promote his hope that world-renowned museums could “hold the greatest digital works alongside the greatest physical [works].”
What’s next for Cozomo de’ Medici?
Cozomo de’ Medici continues to be a major name in NFT art, collecting notable pieces on a weekly basis, continuing to organise and promote digital art, and supporting worthwhile causes.
Their support of not just individual artists, but NFT art as a whole, has been significant in both NFT art and digital art finding increased acceptance in the traditional art world as a valuable form of artistic expression, and one that is worthy of equal merit in many ways.
Medici has made an incredible impact on digital art so far – and as their activities continue, expect Medici to play a key role in the future of digital art too.
