Giotto’s Legacy: Master of Gothic Art
Many of us have heard of the Uffizi and know that it is one of the museums we need to see while visiting Florence. For those here this summer that are into Gothic Art, you’re in for a real treat. The museum is hosting an exhibit from June-November 2008 of Giotto’s Legacy, Art in Florence fro 1340-1375. .??Giotto, one of the greatest fourteenth century painters, arrived on the Florentine scene at a truly difficult century surrounded by famine, floods, conflict and war and the terrible 1348 Black Death Plague. The exhibit showcases 60 pieces from Giotto’s collection during this terrible time in history when his art was a source of inspiration and he became the leading artist of Gothic art as we know it in the 14th century.Antonio Natali, director of the Uffizi, explains why they chose the exhibit: "The title Giotto’s Legacy is really the only title that can synthetically illustrate what the visitor will see displayed in the halls: not a boasted legacy, but creators of artifacts who were born from the “rib” of the supreme innovator, Giotto; or who, viceversa, deviated from his influence, though affected by him."
The exhibition also includes an exceptional event: for the first time Giotto’s Polyptych, housed in the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh – U.S. returns to its city of origin. Recomposed only in 1947, it has unanimously been acknowledged as being the one which was originally located on the altar of the Peruzzi Chapel in Santa Croce in Florence, frescoed by Giotto around a 1315.
Uffizi
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8.15 – 18.50; from July 1 to September 30 every Tuesday and Wednesday, extended opening hours of the museum and the exhibition until 10pm; Monday closed.
Admission: €10.00 (includes admission to the museum); concessions €5.00 for EU citizens aged 18 – 25; free admission for EU citizens under 18 and over 65.
Info and booking: Firenze Musei Tel. 055 2654321
www.ereditadigiotto2008.it