Florence never fails to host dazzling displays; here’s our pick of the must-see exhibitions in the city this spring.
Make the most of free entry every first Sunday of the month at many of the city’s museums and cultural spaces.
Oscar Ghiglia: The Years of the Novecento Italiano at Palazzo Medici Riccardi
Palazzo Medici Riccardi hosts works by the renowned Italian artist, Oscar Ghiglia, who was firmly rooted in Tuscany, yet closely connected to European artistic developments at the time. The Novecento Italiano artistic movement evolved around the figure of Margherita Sarfatti in the name of a “return to order”, to which Ghiglia gave his personal interpretation, creating many memorable works; 50 will be on display from April 7 to September 13 as part of this exhibition. Born and raised in Livorno, Oscar Ghiglia (1876-1945) chose Florence as the site of his artistic endeavours, particularly influenced by Giovanni Fattori and innovations from across the Alps, include the oeuvre of Cézanne. There’s free entry from 3-6pm on April 6 in a special preview open to all. Booking required at info@palazzomediciriccardi.it.
Donatello, The Renaissance at Palazzo Strozzi
Offering a unique chance to see so many of Donatello’s masterpieces together, around 130 works from 60 locations are displayed in an exquisite and poignant experience until July 31 at Palazzo Strozzi (piazza degli Strozzi) and the Bargello National Museum (via del Proconsolo 4). The major retrospective places his most important masterpieces in dialogue with works by artists including Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Michelangelo and Raphael.
Giuseppe Bezzuoli: A great painter of the Romantic era at Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti hosts over 130 works by romantic painter Giuseppe Bezzuoli. Works by the Florentine artist will be on display until June 5 in a spectacular display of paintings, sculptures and drawings in the splendour of Palazzina della Meridiana at Palazzo Pitti. Born in Florence on November 28, 1784, Giuseppe Bezzuoli attended the Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Desmarais and Pietro Benvenuti, quickly achieving acclaim. The exhibition is curated by Vanessa Gavioli, Elena Marconi and Ettore Spalletti.
The Three Pietàs by Michelangelo at the Opera del Duomo Museum
For the first time, the three Pietàs (image of the Virgin Mary mourning the dead body of Christ) by Michelangelo are on display together in the Tribune Room at the Opera del Duomo Museum (piazza Duomo 9). The Three Pietàs of Michelangelo: No one thinks of how much blood it costs will be visitable until August 1. The display of the Badini, Vatican, Rondanini Pietàs offers the chance to study the evolution of Michelangelo’s art as well as his spiritual maturation.
Filippo de Pisis, Giulio Paolini and Luca Vitone at the Museo Novecento
Three exhibitions by three artists from three generations are compared in this interconnected display in the spaces of Museo Novecento. Works by Filippo de Pisis, Giulio Paolini and Luca Vitone are joined in a three-way dialogue until September 7, with the eclectic and often elusive pieces engaging viewers in the discovery of their multi-layered meanings.
