Florence, antique wooden sculptures

In Florence at the Uffizi Museum from 22 March to 18 August 2016 there will be an exhibition on the colored wooden sculpture of the  fifteenth century.

exibition in Florence: Fece di scoltura di legname e colori
Scultura del quattrocento in legno dipinto a Firenze

At the event it will be exhibited over 40 sculptures by different artists. In the Renaissance period also important sculptors realized these works of art. Often the sculptures were devotional.

a wooden angel exhibited in Florence
photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini-Civita

At the end of the fifteenth century some great art workshops, stimulated by the demands of the market, specialized in the realization of crucifixes in churches, convents and private homes.
In this sculptural field were many active: the brothers Giuliano and Benedetto da Maiano, the Sangallo, the Del Tasso and Baccio da Montelupo.
At that time, other artists, however, considered important only marble sculptures. In fact, in Florence were very relevant examples of marble sculptures.

Uffizi museum and other old buldings in Florence

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Show Macchiaioli painting in Rome

The Macchiaioli were a group of painters active in Tuscany in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Now in Rome the exhibition "The Macchiaioli. The Collections Revealed " opens at the Chiostro del Bramante from 16 March to 4 September 2016.

The tourists and art lovers can see more than 110 paintings from various collections.
This exhibition includes nine sections based on the provenance of works of art.
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List of sections:
Section I – Cristiano Banti's "private gallery". The Macchiaioli in the mirror
Section II - Diego Martelli, between the Macchiaioli and the Impressionists: a testimony of art and life
Section III – The Rinaldo Carnielo Collection
Section IV – An entrepreneur in love with beauty: the Edoardo Bruno Collection
Section V – The Sforni House: the treasure trove of a Florentine patron of the arts
Section VI – Mario Galli, “the most perceptive and refined connoisseur of the Macchiaioli
Section VII – Enrico Checcucci collection
Section VIII – Not only Macchiaioli, the Camillo Giussani Collection
Section IX – Remembering Mario Borgiotti, champion of the Macchiaioli

Visitors will see paintings by Giovanni Fattori, Telemaco Signorini, Federico Zandomeneghi, Giuseppe De Nittis, Oscar Ghiglia, Cristiano Banti etc.

paint by Silvestro Lega (visita in villa)-copyright

paint by Telemaco Signorini (ponte vecchio a Firenze)-copyright

paint by Oscar Ghiglia ( bambina con fiocco rosso)-copyright

paint by Vincenzo Cabianca (la filatrice)-copyright-

ALL IMAGES BY ARTHEMISIA GROUP

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Chiostro Bramante in Rome-photo ap

to read more about the places: Raphael and Bramante in Rome

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Lorenzetti, restoration of paintings in Siena

Some paintings by Ambrogio Lorenzetti are under restoration in Siena (Santa Maria della Scala).

Several paintings currently in villages around Siena or in the city will be transported in one place to receive treatment and during the work of the restorers, tourists will still be able to admire the artworks. At the end of the restoration planned in the year 2017, there will be a major exhibition about the artist.
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Ambrogio Lorenzetti (or Ambruogio Laurati) (c. 1290 –  1348) was an original painter of the Sienese school. The artist is well known because he painted the Allegory of Good and Bad Government a big fresco in the a large fresco in the most important Senese building.

The Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano and the old kitchens

The beautiful villa- not far from Prato and Florence- was commissioned by Lorenzo de 'Medici  around the year 1480.

the architect of the villa was Giuliano da Sangallo

photo alpy 2012

The villa's gardens are very beautiful and inside the building are preserved several works of art.
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The villa can be visited also the small theater that was built by Marguerite Louise d'Orléans (the wife of a duke of Tuscany) and the apartment of Bianca Cappello, who died here in 1587.
In the large hall are visible frescoes by Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo, Franciabigio, Alessandro Allori etc.
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The villa was also used by the King of Italy, then some of the furniture and decorations are the nineteenth century.
Other villas belonged to the historic Medici family are visited by tourists. Also Villa of Petraia is interesting.
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From July 4 to October 25, 2015, visitors can extend their tour by visiting the old kitchen of the villa and a special exhibition. To access some old rooms need to book.
The exhibition shows several ancient paintings of kitchens, cooks and food. Some works of art come from important museums or private collections.

ancient fireplace kitchen-photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini-Civita

painting of Giacomo Ceruti said Pitocchetto - painted in the fifth decade

 of the eighteenth century-photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini-Civita

The private kitchens of the nobles were largely designed and built between 1614 and 1619 during the reign of Cosimo II de 'Medici.

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If you choose a hotel in Prato can see also the beautiful cathedral and many beautiful monuments.

Prato cathedral -photo ap

frescos in Prato, photo s.b


MUSEUM PRATO

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Paintings by Filippino Lippi in San Gimignano

At the museums of San Gimignano (Siena) will soon be proposed for public viewing works by Filippino Lippi.
The small but interesting exhibition is scheduled from June 13 to November 1, 2015. For the occasion people will see the two round paintings of 1483 and 1484, some drawings, some ancient manuscripts and Renaissance frames.
Important part of the exhibition are two paintings depicting the one the Angel of the Annunciation, the other the Annunziata. Just as it had been requested in 1482 by the Priors and Captains for the Town Hall of San Gimignano.

exhibition poster

Virgin Annunciate, 1483-84. San Gimignano (photo by Civita)

Studies for the figure of a saint kneeling with a crosier, and for a standing figure with 
a turban- Metal needle, with lead white highlights on grey prepared paper (photo by Civita)

old letter: the Priors and Captains of the Guelph Party earmark an additional sum of thirty lire for the Annunciation  (photo by Civita)

Text translation: for the effigy of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin to adorn the Hall of Hearings. Whereas it has been previously deliberated that an effigy of the Annunciation shall be painted in the Hall of Hearings of this Palazzo as a mark of honour for the community and in celebration of the most glorious Virgin Mary, the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and whereas in that connection nothing has yet been done, in accordance with the proposal of Niccolò di Agostino Abbracciabeni, one of the Priors, it is hereby established that the present Priors and Captains cause to be painted in the Hall of Hearings the effigy of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary on two square or round panels, whichever they consider to be most fitting, for the production of which no more must be spent than the 50 lire already set aside in addition to 30 lire which the present chamberlain will set aside with monies to be taken from the profits accruing from said municipality's vineyards

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the old town hall of San Gimignano (photo Geobia/wiki)
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HISTORY: in the valley adjacent to San Gimignano in ancient times there were Etruscan settlements. Some legends say that around 63 BC two young Romans built two castles. However the town of San Gimignano is only mentioned in a document of 929. In later times the area was crossed by the Via Francigena. San Gimignano had an appreciable population around the end of the twelfth century.

Valdelsa: landscape of the hills around the river Elsa


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Contemporary art in Pienza and Siena

The beautiful town of Pienza hosts from 6 June to 30 August the interesting exhibition of a young Austrian sculptor.

the poster for the exhibition Helga Vockenhuber

Il dono dell'armonia-the gift of harmony

The artist often creates large bronze statues that will be exhibited in Piazza Pio II and Palazzo Piccolomini.

Helga Vockenhuber is often in Tuscany also because there are good foundries that make his job easier.

Piccolomini palace

view of Pienza, photos by sherseydc/steve (flick/wikimedia)
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For those who love contemporary art finally we write that in the near Siena it is in progress an exhibition  of the painter Marco Borgianni (Dei ed eroi, city museum, salt warehouses, until August 30) 

Marco Borgianni in Siena
the artist was born in the province of Florence

a work of Bonanni 
The artist was inspired by the Laooconte kept in Vatican
photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini-Civita

the painting exhibition can be seen in a room below the tower 
(Torre del Mangia, foto a.p.)

San Gimignano, an ancient garden

Since May 10, 2015, tourists can visit the garden attached to the ancient pharmacy of Santa Fina in San Gimignano.

The apothecary is visible within the circuit of the museums of San Gimignano

Architects, archaeologists, botanists and gardeners, worked several months to evoke in the green spaces of the garden appearance, the atmosphere and all the characteristics of the old Pharmacy.
The pharmacy and the hospital attached were founded in the thirteenth century and was dedicated to St. Fina, famous woman also remembered with the frescoes by Ghirlandaio in the cathedral of San Gimignano.

a corner of the old pharmacy-  photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA 

ampoules ancient pharmacy-photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA

Saffron in the garden of Santa Fina- photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA 

Saffron is often used to do drugs or to flavor local dishes

staging area of the garden 

photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA 

Obviously we know that tourists are always fascinated by the medieval-looking town. Several people then enjoy the local wines. San Gimignano is not far from Siena and many other beautiful places in Tuscany.

the center of San Gimignano-Tuscany

the ancient towers - photo MarkusMark (wiki)
the medieval towers of San Gimignano are very famous

detail of a fresco by Ghirlandaio in the Chapel of Santa Fina
In the cathedral there are several works of art.

Vernaccia,  the good wine of San Giminano
In the future near the garden of Santa Fina organizers will propose occasionally  tasting of wines and other food products by this country.  Vernaccia wine was also appreciated in the Middle Ages to the tables of princes and knights

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Flowers and architecture in Tuscany. Pienza and around

In the beautiful town of Pienza and in the nearby Val d'Orcia, tourists will see from 1 to 10 May 2015 many flowers that decorate many places in the area.
Pienza was founded as the ideal city of the Italian Renaissance and therefore its palaces and churches are really interesting. For the construction of the main buildings in this city, the architect Bernardo Rossellino (1409-1464) worked for some years. The idea of building cities according to criteria Renaissance pervaded many artists but practical achievements were few.

Enea Silvio Piccolomini, later Pope Pius II, was the mastermind in the construction of Pienza

fresco in Siena by Pinturicchio -photo wikipedia 

the center of Pienza

a girl admires the flowers of Pienza at the event last year

photo studio Esseci

Piazza Pio II -photo studio Esseci

courtyard Palazzo Piccolomini-photo studio Esseci

In Pienza are several places to visit and you can also see some interesting works of art. 

At the event of May 2015 the organizers will exhibit also a nice little known painting that was created by the artist Nicolas van Houbraken (1668-1723).

Nearby, tourists can also visit: the Leonini Horti in San Quirico d'Orcia, the park Palace Massaini etc.

garden Villa Fiori in Chianciano Terme-photo studio Esseci

On other occasions, nature lovers can make a path with an old train called "Terre di Siena, treno natura"

to know some about this old train, read on the web

It should not be forgotten that these lands were involved ancient Via Francigena.  In San Quirico d'Orcia,  Pienza and Montalcino there are some very interesting old churches. In the area of Siena there are also special hills, called "Crete Senesi"  (Sienese clays). Finally are notable the landscapes of Mount Amiata and the "Abbadia San Salvatore".
There are many reasons for a trip to this area. And the cuisine has its importance.

Abbey Sant Antimo in the beautiful nature of the Tuscan hills

Abbadia San Salvatore (abbey in the area of Monte Amiata)
photo Kweedado2/wiki

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Siena, restorations in Piccolomini Library

Were completed restorations in the Piccolomini Library, adjacent to the Cathedral. From April 2015, visitors can once again admire the works that have been recently restored: an important fresco, some windows and some decorations. Obviously many other frescoes of the Library were restored in other times.

windows and coats of arms

decorated glass and small frescoes

Enea Silvio leaves for Basel, fresco by Pinturicchio

The restoration works have been cured by the Restoration Laboratory of Fabrizio Iacopini and by the company Diana Glass Art.
Read more on the frescoes by Pinturicchio and other artists in the famous library. See page: Libreria Piccolomi- cattedrale di Siena
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Photos by Ufficio Stampa a cura di Opera Laboratori Fiorentini – Gruppo Civita
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Art exhibit in Florence, Piero di Cosimo

From 23 June to 27 September 2015, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence will cure an exhibition on the art of Piero di Cosimo, a Renaissance painter is not very well known to the general public.

larger image with the mouse

For the occasion, some important foreign museums will lend some paintings.

Piero di Lorenzo, called Piero di Cosimo, was born in Florence around the year 1461 and died in the same city in April 1522. For a short time he lived in Rome and worked in the Vatican.
Are famous some of his paintings depicting primitive men engaged in hunting etc.
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photos by Civita

Uffizi museum in the center of Florence

a painting by Piero di Cosimo comes from the Spedale degli Innocenti in Florence (photo ap)

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