Bargello National Museum acquires Donatello’s Madonna of via Pietrapiana

Bargello National Museum acquires Donatello’s Madonna of via Pietrapiana

The Hall of Donatello gains a new masterpiece.

bookmark
Mon 13 Nov 2023 10:43 AM

The Madonna of via Pietrapiana has been purchased by the Ministry of Culture and assigned to the Bargello National Museum, where the rare terracotta will be displayed in the Salone di Donatello (Hall of Donatello), joining masterpieces by the Renaissance artist.

Florence, Madonna di via Pietrapiana
Madonna of via Pietrapiana

Dating to 1450-1455 and measuring 86 x 64 x 12.5cm, it was until recently the only work known by Donatello that was still in private ownership. Purchased for 1,200,000 euro, the relief was originally placed in a tabernacle on the facade of the building at via Pietrapiana 38, on the corner with via de’ Pepi.

Advertisements
The Madonna of Vie Pietrapiana inside the Donatello Hall, Bargello National Museum
The Madonna of Vie Pietrapiana inside the Donatello Hall, Bargello National Museum

Numerous copies have been made of the terracotta, as was highlighted in the exhibition Donatello, The Renaissance in 2022, where the work was recently on show.

From left Ilaria Ciseri_Paola D'Agostino and Antonella Ranaldi in front of the Madonna in via PIetrapiana
Ilaria Ciseri, Paola D’Agostino and Antonella Ranaldi in front of the Madonna in via PIetrapiana

Paola D’Agostino, director of the Bargello Museums, commented, “The Madonna and Child in via Pietrapiana is an acquisition of exceptional importance for the heritage of the Italian State, which was made possible by the collaboration between the various offices of the Ministry of Culture…The Hall of Donatello is a unique place to understand the long and extraordinary activity of Donatello, the greatest artist of the Renaissance…From today, the Madonna and Child of via Pietrapiana will be exhibited in this special place, alongside the master’s other masterpieces and in dialogue with the works of Luca della Robbia, Nanni di Banco and other fifteenth-century artists, awaiting a reorganization of the hall planned for 2024, curated by Ilaria Ciseri”.

Ilaria Ciseri, curator of the Bargello National Museum, elaborates, “An image of exquisite charm, the Madonna of via Pietrapiana shows all the expressive power of Donatello’s sculpture and his constant genius in the invention of details”.

Related articles

ART + CULTURE

Newly restored maps room in Palazzo Vecchio

A 3D digital exploration of the room has been created by Museo Galileo.

ART + CULTURE

Violante Siriès Cerroti: Accademia Women restoration

A project co-organized by Accademia delle Arti del Disegno and Syracuse University is restoring works by the 18th-century female artist.

ART + CULTURE

Feathers from Florence: Mazzanti Piume

Duccio and his team design feathered items for renowned fashion houses and A-lister celebrities.

LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE