RICCARDI, FAMILY. - The known progenitor is an ANCHINO di Riccardo who, perhaps coming from Cologne, moved to Florence in the 14th century. During the Republic, the Riccardi had little importance but achieved considerable economic power through trade. They gained greater authority during the Medici principate, and some of them became senators.
FRANCESCO di Cosimo (1648–1719) was entrusted with embassies to Clement X and Leopold I. Riccardo Romolo (1558–1611) established the first nucleus of the library that became known as the Riccardiana, which in 1815 was donated by the commune of Florence to the State. In 1629, Ferdinando II invested the brothers Cosimo and Gabriele di Francesco with the Chapter of the cathedral of Chianni, with the title of marquises. In 1659, the same grand duke sold to the Riccardi the Medici Palace on Via Larga, which they embellished and had frescoed by Luca Giordano.