History of the Uffizi
Originally, the building served from the middle of the 15th century as the seat of the offices (Italian: uffici) of the city administration. The order to consolidate important administrative institutions in one building goes back to Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Between 1559 and 1581, the buildings complex was then built by the architects Vasari, Buontalenti, and Parigi the Younger.Use as exhibition rooms
Grand Duke Francesco I., the successor of Cosimo I., commissioned the architect Bernardo Buontalenti who should rebuild the upper floor corridor for his artworks. Buontalenti established the Tribuna, where sculptures, paintings, and weapons were to be displayed, thus laying the foundation for the museums of today.
The Medici Vase | Photo: Unsplash, Clay BanksThe Medici Family
Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the Medici family ruled over Florence and thus held a strong power position in the Italian dynasty. The family got rich through the textile trade, which also influenced the banking system of the time. Through their relationships, inheritances, dowries and gifts, they accumulated a remarkable collection of artworks, which still fascinate art lovers today.
The Pothos Sculpture | Photo: Unsplash, Elena PopovaFirst Floor
The first section of the first floor features artwork from foreign artists such as Rembrandt, Goya, and Fabre from the 16th to 18th centuries. The following rooms contain paintings and marble sculptures by Andrea del Sarto, Raphael, and Pontormo. The works of Caravaggio and other artists from Roman Baroque painting are exhibited in the Caravaggesque Rooms. Here, one can also find a balcony offering a fantastic view of the Arno River. Inside, three sculptures adorn the passage.Second Floor
On the second floor are the U-shaped exhibition rooms that display the main collection of the Uffizi, consisting of paintings, statues, and artwork. These include The Adoration of the Kings and The Baptism of Christ by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as 15 works by the Italian painter Botticelli such as The Birth of Venus. Relics, sculptures, and an archaeology room can also be found here.Art Collection in Danger
In the 18th century, the Medici ruled as Grand Dukes of Tuscany, but gradually they kept themselves further and further out of government and relied on a strict marriage policy. With the death of the impotent Grand Duke Gian Gastone de’ Medici in 1737, there were no further male successors who could take the throne, whereby the Grand Duchy was awarded to the Austrian Habsburgs. However, the will of the Austrian Duchess Anna Maria prevented the valuable art collection of the Medici from being transferred to Vienna. Her last wish was to donate the collection to the Florentines, which was initially only opened to visitors on request.Contemporary Portraits
In the 17th century, Cardinal Leopold de’ Medici collected portraits, which now comprises over 2,000 objects. Most recently, 255 portraits by artists from the 15th to the 21st century were added to the collection; this also includes that of the Innsbruck master builder Johann Martin Gumpp the Elder. Now there are also self-portraits by comic artists and video artists.