What is the main conflict in The Stones of Florence by Mary McCarthy?

The Stones of Florence by Mary McCarthy is a book about ancient Florence and how it thrived from the days of its beginning along the shore of the river Arno. McCarthy's book is the story of the art, architecture and culture of Florence. It is mostly the story of the patronage of the de Medici family and the artists of the area. Most of the great art of the city was done under the patronage of the de Medici family and this is the story Mary McCarthy is telling in this book.