Uffizi Gallery of Florence – Timeless Art Collection

Uffizi Gallery Florence Italy

The collection of works in the Uffizi Gallery cannot be compared to any other world collection and is probably the only one to have just masterpieces of exceptional value.

The Uffizi Gallery, (1560-1580) designed by Vasari in 1560 and built by Cosimo I of Medici. The Uffizi was meant to be an officio (office) for magistrates as well as judges, technicians and merchants of Florence, were turned on the top floor into a private gallery for the pleasure of the ruling family of Florence, the Medicis, and their guests.

Vasari, who sadly died that same year, could hardly have imagined that inside that building, born to house the Magistracy, almost all the major painters (not just Florentine) whose biographies he had written in one of the most interesting documents on the history of art, Lives, would have been on show.

In addition to paintings, statues, jewelry, scientific instruments, even weapons, were displayed there. This unique situation made the Uffizi one of the most interesting and precious collections in the whole world.

It was based on an idea of Vasari, who had put the portrait of each artist with his biography, that Leopoldo de’Medici started the rich collection of artists’ self-portraits.

Since 1865 it became a museum, nowadays with 50 rooms housing paintings ranging from 13th century to the 18th century. Highlights are the famous “Madonna enthroned” by Giotto, the “Battle of San Romano” by Paolo Uccello, the double portrait by Piero della Francesca, “Federico da Montefeltro”, the “Birth of Venus” by Botticelli , in addition to 3 works by Leonardo, 1 by Michelangelo, a few by Raffaello and many by Tiziano.

All of the gallery’s paintings have been displayed chronologically, so it is possible to fully appreciated all the innovations in art throughout the centuries.

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