HEY…are ya gunna pay me?

…more artistic musings

EXPECTING PAYMENT for services rendered can be documented as early as 1157 BC.

Just as in today’s work climate the Ancient Egyptian work force for Ramses III staged the very first walkout/walk off in recorded history. The Pharaoh’s skilled painters, stonemasons and sculptors refused to report to their assigned duties that continued the progress on Ramses III burial site in the VALLEY OF THE KINGS. Only until the agreed rations of bread, grain, meat and vegetables had been paid work would resume.

ANNENPAUTER, was a gang leader in Ancient Egypt during the 20th Dynasty. He organized a well documented heist, stealing 32 lbs of gold from a tomb located in the Valley of the Kings. One needs to wonder…was this for services rendered?

MICHELANGELO signed the SISTINE CHAPEL ceiling contract on May 10, 1508. Pope Julius II approved and for his efforts Michelangelo would receive 3,000 ducats, which equals approximately $885,000 today.

MODERN RESTRIKE of the ACTUAL DUCAT Michelangelo received in 1508

Below is a RENAISSANCE – FLORENCE 1400-1499 Gold-Florins SALARY with the current MODERN DAY VALUES.

Wages-in-Renaissance-Florence-in-Gold-Florins-converted-to-Dollars-at-Current-Gold-Prices

ANNE BOLEYN (1507=May 19, 1536) ran up an expense tab of £170 while waiting to be beheaded in the Tower of London. And,the powers to be (Henry VIII) expected full payment,

In 1535 HANS HOLBEIN, Henry VIII court painter, was paid £30 a year for his services. The favored court artist received an additional sum of over £13 to travel to paint the King’s future fourth wife, Anne of Cleaves. These funds were for setting up an off-site studio, equipment and supplies needed to paint the portrait. Compare this to the Bishop of Winchester wages of £5 a year with £10 annuity.

Sir Henry Norris, a close childhood friend of Henry VIII, at the time of his execution, May 17, 1536, between his wages and investments had an annual income totally approximately £1327 equaling $891,055 in today’s fiscal climate.

BELOW IS A LIST is a list showing value and what £170 could purchase in 1540’s England

anne-bolynee-debts-to-modern-day

Liz Magie created the board game concept that developed into the modern day game of MONOPOLY in 1903. Labeled as THE LANDLORD’S GAME, Magie finally applied for a patent in 1924. PARKER BROTHERS bought Liz’s ownership of the game for $500 without the receiving any royalties. In today’s dollars equals $11,500.

RESOURCES

Dressing RENAISSANCE FLORENCE: Family, Fortunes, and Fine Clothing by Carole Collier Frick