 Financial problems with the sale of alum from the joint Papal-Medici alum cartel and bad investments like two galleys that either sank or were captured by privateers, along with the still outstanding bad loans to Charles the Bold, caused the Medici to finally give up on Bruges in 1478, when they unilaterally dissolved the partnership.Portinari was essentially fired and he fell on hard times.He eventually made a comeback of sorts as a diplomat (involved in, among other things, the Intercursus Magnus).