Surrounded by Florentine art
The walls of the Sala del Colosso are covered with small to large paintings like a collage which depict religious scenes. Part of this exhibition are artists from the 15th and early 14th centuries such as Filippino Lippi, Alesso Baldovinetti and Paolo Uccello. Especially the exhebited painter Domenico Ghirlandaio is worth mentioning since he had a special relationship with Michelangelo and fundamentally influenced his career. However, the actual centerpiece of this room is the marble statue “Abduction of a Sabine Woman” by the Flemish sculptor and architect Giambologna (John of Boulogne), through which he expressed his craft skills.Prelude to the peak
First you will enter the Galleria dei Grigioni, the “Corridor of the Prisoners”, which was named after the four unfinished artworks by Michelangelo also known as prisoners or slave sculptures. Due to financial shortages, they were never completed, leaving them unfinished. Also paintings by artists from the 16th century, including Granacci and Andrea del Sarto can be found here.
Close-up details of the David statue | Photo: Unsplash, Taylor SmithThe gallerys famous wing
Across the Galleria dei Grigioni the Tribuna del David stratches where 16th century artworks are displayed. For this wing artists who were influenced by Michelangelo's life and works were chosen they also represent the former cultural influence. Among them are Francesco Salviati, Agnolo Bronzino and Alessandro Allori. The eye-catcher of this room is obviously the famous sculpture of Michelangelo the statue of David.
David statue at the Galleria dell'AccademiaCrowd puller: The statue of David
The sculpture was originally envisioned as part of the 12 statues by Donatello series which which were to be placed on the buttresses of Florence Cathedral. The marble had already passed through the hands of artists Agostino di Duccio and Antonio Rossellino until finally Michelangelo was given the task of completing it. He worked for 2 years on the artwork which weighs 6 tons today. It quickly became apparent that a statue of this size and weight could never be placed on the roof of the cathedral - for this reason the David statue was initially placed at the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo's David stood at the Piazza della Signoria since its completion in 1504 and was then moved to the Tribuna after its finalization. Only in 1882 the statue was again accessible to public as a part of the Galleria dell'Accademia.
Gipsoteca at the Galleria dell'Accademia | Photo: Unsplash, Ruiqi KongFrom plaster to marble
In the Gipsoteca fine plaster models of the 19th century can be admired. These were created by Lorenzo Bartolini and Luigi Pampaloni and served as templates for the final marble statues. After a year and a half of renovations the room now not only blazes in new color (Accademia Blue) but has been rearranged also.
Close up of a viola | Photo: Unsplash, Johanna VogtMusic makes your heart beat faster?
If you are interested in classical music this is the ideal place for you! The Strumenti musicali displays over 50 instruments: from string and wind instruments, harpsichords to the early forms of the piano. Needless to mention that the only remaining viola by Antonio Stradivari from 1690 is the center piece of this exhibition. Get yourself the audio guide to find out more about the instruments' characteristics and even hear their sound.The oldest treasures of the gallery
Florentine Gothic paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries span across three rooms: Sala di Pacino, Sala di Giotto e Giotteschi and Sala degli Orcagna. Displayed artists include Pacino di Bonaguida and Bernardo Daddi. The Sala di Pacino exhibits the oldest works of art in the Galleria dell'Accademia which are painted on wood. The latest renovation included a repainting of this showroom, now the golden decorations and artworks stand out even more on the Giotto green walls.One floor higher
On the second floor of the Galleria dell'Accademia, the exhibition Lorenzo Monaco e il tardo Gotico extends over three rooms. The artists exhibited there include Jacopo di Cione and Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci. In these exhibition rooms one gets a sense of the socio-economic and religious values of the Florentine past, magnificent altarpieces can be also admired here.
David statue from a different angle | Photo: Unsplash, Harold WainwrightGalleria dell'Accademia shines in new light
To celebrate 140 years when the statue of David was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1882 to protect it from damage, the gallery shines since 2022 in new splendor. The extensive renovation includes air conditioning and new wall colors, as well as an LED lighting system which now put the artworks in the spotlight. Especially the David statue stands here out as the lighting mimics daylight to highlight the sculpture's surface. This innovative illumination also gives paintings a new appeal.