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Art and culture from Florence, Italy, focusing on exhibitions, museums, artisans and more.
La Crocifissione del Perugino In the Convent of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi via Borgo Pinti, 58 Monday–Sunday, 9am–12pm and 5pm–7pm (but hours vary; please check first) Donation: 1.30 euro Information: 055.24 78 420 Founded in 1321, the convent was named
A popular Italian saying dictates that you should spend Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua dove vuoi (Christmas with your relatives and Easter wherever you want to). In that case, how about crossing the border and spending the holidays in Nice, on the French Riviera? About the same distance from Florence
Church of Santo Spirito (in the sacristy, where the postcards are sold) Piazza Santo Spirito Open for Sunday mass: 8am; 10:30 am Although not particularly easy to find, this exquisite polychrome wood sculpture was probably originally created for Santo Spirito’s high altar. It is still debated
Florence is home to 70 museums, both large and small, but its art history is mainly concentrated in three of the city’s most visited galleries—the Uffizi, the Palatine at the Pitti Palace and the Academia. The Uffizi holds the Medici family collection, which begins with
The four-month exhibition, Cézanne a Firenze, open until July in the Palazzo Strozzi, celebrates the fact that Florence became the spiritual home for Italian Impressionism, with such leading Tuscan artists as Fattori, Soffici and Carena. The exhibition also honours Egisto Fabbri and Charles Loeser, two of Florence&
Built by the city guilds, which encompassed both civil and religious functions, Orsanmichele was constructed in 1336, on the site of San Michele monastery’s kitchen garden. Originally a grain market, ...
Once the life-blood of Florence, the traditional artisan has all but disappeared because of industry and the bureaucracy of unions. These days, apprentices with no experience have to be paid, whereas with guilds, only the master was paid to teach the secrets of his craft. Today, few masters can
‘The philosophy behind the creation of the audition was simply to find talented dancers and give them resources to promote their artistic ability’. Performers say being on stage ...
Women artists often tried their hand at painting lofty subjects, but their knowledge was mostly secondhand and supported solely by viewing other paintings. Since women painters were excluded from higher forms of artistic training, their experience of the world was often limited to the domestic sphere and household objects, or
In the Middle Ages, artists had little flexibility for expression, especially when painting devout themes with moral undertones. Renaissance iconography continued to be religious and mythical, but it became more common for artists to depict the human form. By the 16th century, still-life had evolved considerably, and painters started
A special exhibition honoring the Medici family is currently touring the United States. Natura Morta - Still-Life Painting and the Medici Collections consists of 43 works from the 16th to 18th century, by Italian, Dutch, Flemish and French artists. It also includes several pieces of Italian pietre dure (colored stone-
As I browsed in the Uffizi bookshop, a modest little paperback entitled 15th Century Paintings grabbed my attention. Glancing at the back of the book, I calculated that for the price of eight postcards, I could readily own this well-printed and profusely illustrated volume. But then I had
Five works worth a trip In many cities in Italy, there is one piece of art that stands out above all others. This week, I will highlight five Italian cities and the one precious work of art, or an artist’s composite of works. These works often do not
‘Do you think confessionals and stages are incompatible? They may be in other countries, but not in Italy’ Forget about all your idealizations when you read this book. Full ...
Rumours were rife all over the city. Many said the Anglo-American troops had already reached the outskirts of the city. However, one thing was certain. On the afternoon of August 3, 1944, the German High Command in Florence had the following ordinance displayed on the street corners: Beginning from
La Specola Via Romana 17, Florence Entrance fee: 4 euro adults, 2 euro for children ages 6–16, Children under 6 enter free. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 9-1; Saturdays 9-5; closed Wednesdays. Tel: 055-228-8251 In 1771, the Wax Model Workshop was established
Florence is dominated by Renaissance painting and sculpture. However, while it is not widely recognized locally, nationally or internationally, what we know as opera today began in Florence. Its birth represents an important epoch in the evolution of the Renassance and marks a very important milestone in the development of
La Specola Via Romana 17 Entrance fee: 4 euro Hours: 9–1, Sun – Tues; 9–5 Saturday The ‘La Specola’ Museum opened to the public in 1775, under the auspices of the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Lorraine. It was originally called the
