Between the Middle Ages and Renaissance, an unusual exhibition

FLORENCE, ITALY – The importance of Arts for Florence is an essential element to understand the development of the city. Between the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the ancient guilds managed a part of the power together with the commission of figurative themes.

An unusual exhibition that considers the typical themes and places of the city when it still was a municipal power, such as Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello Museum, Orsanmichele, before the Medici Family prevailed and left its mark on the city.

The works at that time, which visitors will have the opportunity to admire, represent allegorical themes, where the sacred and profane intermingle, Hercules and David for example are two heroes coming from different cultural backgrounds and both of them are the symbols of the city.

That was a time when figurative arts were used as a pillory for unpopular people, the so-called insulting paintings; the celebratory and heraldic images placed on the walls to celebrate the city sent messages to those who came from outside, as well as the good-luck images located in the right places: Donatello’s lost Dovizia was at the market.

Particular emphasis in the exhibition is given to Arts, real economic engine of municipal Florence, whose political power was actually managed; becoming a member of one of the guilds was a prerequisite for taking part in the city’s public life and Palazzo Vecchio was built for the Priors of the Arts.

The exhibition also gathers the tables of the patron saints that originally were placed on the pillars of the Church of Orsanmichele, born from the gradual transformation of the ancient grain market into a place of worship and given to the Arts which turned it into a treasure trove of works of art.

From lily to David. Civic art in Florence between the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Galleria dell’Accademia (Academy Gallery), From the 14th of May to the 8th of December 2013.

More info: www.unannoadarte.it