It was the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the greatest artists of all time. From Michelangelo to Donatello, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Lippi, and Masaccio, Tuscany holds a special place in the annals of art history. The region is full of unmissable artworks to keep you going for a lifetime. Here are a few of the best as a starter.
Raphael, Madonna of the Goldfinch, Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Florence was the epicentre of the Renaissance and is host to some of its most celebrated artworks. One of the leading lights was Raphael, who produced a series of masterpieces before his untimely death at the age of 37. Madonna of the Goldfinch, which can be seen at the Uffizi Gallery, is one of his best. The tender painting shows Mary with the baby Jesus and John the Baptist.
The painting has survived a great deal in its time, including a fire that shattered it into 17 pieces. An artist used nails to put it back together and painted over the crack. By the 1990s, it had fallen into disrepair but was restored to its former glory in 1998.
Michelangelo, David, Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence
Michelangelo’s David is at the top of any art lover’s list. The 17-foot statue was commissioned by Florence Cathedral, intended to be positioned high up in a niche. However, when the completed statue was unveiled, it was quickly decided that it would be too beautiful to be wasted in such a hidden position. Instead, it was placed in the Piazza Della Signoria for everyone to see. Since then, it has become recognised as the iconic ideal of male beauty.
Duccio, The Maestà, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Siena
Stepping away from Florence for a moment, we head to Sienna, with the Maestà by Duccio, which is the most precious painting ever to come out of this area. It is a massive 17 x 16-foot double-sided altarpiece covered in gold and glitter. It was dismantled when Gothic art fell out of fashion during the Renaissance and stored for two centuries. The city council sold off some pieces, which can be found in some of the world’s most prominent museums. However, most of the Maestà remained in Siena and can now be seen at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
The Medici Chapel, Florence
The Medici statues by Michelangelo in the Medici Chapel are one of the most beautiful attractions in Florence. He was commissioned to create burial chapels for the Medici in 1519. In total, there are six statues carved by Michelangelo, with the passage of time being a dominan theme. He was attempting to convey the unpleasant message that the time and death come for all of us – even a family as wealthy as the Medici.
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