If you have found a luxury villa in Florence, one key attraction that you have probably already added to your list is the Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria. One of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and the world, the Uffizi was originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560 as an office building.
More and more space was dedicated to the display of artworks over time until that became its primary function and in 1765, it was officially opened to the public access. It is now famous for its collection of works by writers, artists and scientists and, particularly, for its Renaissance art collection with works by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cimabue, Botticelli, Giotto, Van der Weyden, Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi and Rembrandt.
More and more space was dedicated to the display of artworks over time until that became its primary function and in 1765, it was officially opened to the public access. It is now famous for its collection of works by writers, artists and scientists and, particularly, for its Renaissance art collection with works by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cimabue, Botticelli, Giotto, Van der Weyden, Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi and Rembrandt.
Titian, especially, is a real highlight. Titian, or Tiziano Vecellio, is one of the greatest artists to ever come out of Venice and was a big player in the Venetian Renaissance. While Venice is a great place to see his art, there are several key pieces in the Uffizi, as well.
His “Venus of Urbino”, in particular, is a famous and beautiful example. This 1538 oil painting depicts a nude young woman, identified as the goddess Venus, reclining on a couch or bed in a Renaissance palace. Her pose is based on Giorgione's Sleeping Venus, a work which was completed by Titian but sees Venus moved from the outdoors into a bedroom.
Another key difference is her gaze, which connects unabashedly with the viewer. Commissioned by Guidobaldo II della Rovere, the Duke of Urbino, it was probably created to celebrate his 1534 marriage and would have originally decorated a cassone (wedding chest).
His “Venus of Urbino”, in particular, is a famous and beautiful example. This 1538 oil painting depicts a nude young woman, identified as the goddess Venus, reclining on a couch or bed in a Renaissance palace. Her pose is based on Giorgione's Sleeping Venus, a work which was completed by Titian but sees Venus moved from the outdoors into a bedroom.
Another key difference is her gaze, which connects unabashedly with the viewer. Commissioned by Guidobaldo II della Rovere, the Duke of Urbino, it was probably created to celebrate his 1534 marriage and would have originally decorated a cassone (wedding chest).
The rich colours and light and sexually charged nature of the image have made it go down in history as a sometimes controversial, always fascinating, and often beloved work.
Another work of his that is a key piece in the collection of the Uffizi is his c.1515 “Flora”. Depicting an idealized beauty, it is based on a genre of works established by his master, Giorgione, with his “Laura”. Other than this, much is uncertain about the work. Its meaning has been debated and range from a painting of a courtesan to a symbol of nuptial love but the name that it is known by today comes from the identification with Flora, the ancient goddess of Spring and vegetation. Despite the uncertain subject-matter, however, the painting is a beauty and one of the highlights of the collection.
These two works are, of course, just two of thousands of reasons to visit the Uffizi on your next trip to Florence.
Another work of his that is a key piece in the collection of the Uffizi is his c.1515 “Flora”. Depicting an idealized beauty, it is based on a genre of works established by his master, Giorgione, with his “Laura”. Other than this, much is uncertain about the work. Its meaning has been debated and range from a painting of a courtesan to a symbol of nuptial love but the name that it is known by today comes from the identification with Flora, the ancient goddess of Spring and vegetation. Despite the uncertain subject-matter, however, the painting is a beauty and one of the highlights of the collection.
These two works are, of course, just two of thousands of reasons to visit the Uffizi on your next trip to Florence.