Ferdinando De' Medici

Ferdinando de' Medici (9 August 1663, Florence, Tuscany — 31 October 1713, Florence) was a Grand Prince of Tuscany between 1670 and 1713, musician, composer, and a parton of music and fine arts. Among numerous artisans and musicians who served at Medici court was Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655—1731), an Italian instrument maker who invented a hammered mechanical action circa 1700 while working for Ferdinando (which subsequently led to the creation of the modern piano).