Walking through a glorious dream in Pitti palace
Gwen Herat
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Sea scape by Salvator Rosa
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Italy's famous and major art museum, Galleria Palatina is also one of
the world's greatest art museums with its exceptional collection of art
and artifacts which is housed in the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti). I
have visited this treasure trove over and over again without being able
to view the great Masters where virtuso paintings are exhibited.
The collection of paintings began in the early 1600s by the Grandduke
Cosimo II and was continued by his son, Ferdinando II. Most of the
paintings were exhibited in several halls in the second floor alongside
frescoed by famous masters known for their decorative painting among
whom were Ciro Ferri and Pietro da Cortona.
As a private 17th century collection, the gallery never lost its
unique character. The spectacular arrangements of paintings which are
same over centuries, its elaborate and decorative effects of the
structures and carved frames in each room are maintained as a very
special showplace for their priceless art works.
Every painting with its each decorative element contributes to the
overall harmony. No one dare change one of them because each one is an
essential part of the whole. From the very beginning, the collection
boasts works of the foremost Italian master like Titian, Raphael, Andrea
del Sarto, Tintoretto, etc.
The collection grew bigger and bigger with Ferndinando' successors
adding more masters for today's art lovers to glimpse through the
exceptional panorama of the 16th and 17th century European masters.
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The facade of Pitti Palace |
In 1828 the gallery was opened to the public by the Grandduke
Leopoldo II in 1860. Over the years the collection of Italian masters
grew. In the 19th century the Tuscans grew in size and moved over to the
top floor of Palazzo Pitti for a wider spaced exhibition.
By this time the Silver Museum was founded in 1919. This paved the
way for occupying what were once the ground floor private apartments.
This features a very remarkable collection of priceless creations by
master gold-and silversmiths.
This was originally a part of the gradducat treasury and the Uffizi
and Bargello collection. Museo Delle Carrozze which is also known as
Carriage Museum is fascinating but little known and located in the south
wing.
Displayed are several remarkable carriages once belonged to Lorraine
Granddukes. At the end is the Contini-Bonacossi collection which is
presently known as Podigilione della Meridiana adjoining the main
building.
Housed in this are the old masters whose paintings, sculptures,
ranging from icons like Duccio, Andrea del Castagno, Giovanni Bellini,
Tintoretto and Valasquez among others. Recently, it was bequeathed to
the Italian state by the prominent Tuscan family, Contini-Bonacossi.
Pitti Palace has a flamboyant history, rich in culture and tradition.
In the mid 1440s, Luca Pitti's economic and political power reached
their apex and he like many other Florentine's prominent merchants of
the day, wanted to turn his wealth into something meaningful for the
benefit of the public.
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Virgin and Child by Murillo |
Of course nothing was more visible than a magnificent manner house or
a palace befitting such rich and powerful family like the Pittis. An
extensive and appropriate site was located, carving out the whole
eastern slope of the Boboli Hill which was just a short walk from the
city centre. Still it was outside so that the setting could be secluded
and peaceful.
There was no delay as the palace took shape occupying the giant area
and razed to make way for the palace. The famous architect, Fillippo
Brunellesch was commissioned and his masterful design was based on
simple rectangle but the final version comprised of two stories, a
ground floor with three great portals and second story with seven wings.
The whole facade was worked on rusticated stonework, roughly hewn at
ground level and smoother on the upper areas. However, Brunellesch died
before its completion and Luca Fancelli was assigned to complete the
palace. But unfortunately, Luca Pitti did not live to see the completion
of his palace.
He died in 1472 due to personal problems along with great financial
setbacks which was brought about by his rival merchant, Medicis. The
building stood half finished until 1549 when Elenora of Toledo, the wife
of the Grandduke Cosimo I de Medici purchased it and finally turned it
into a spectacular palace.
And what you see of this magnificent and splendorous palace today is
the result of many changes and additions by the ancestors of this
family, a gift they gave to the art world to awe and electrified by its
immense collection, the Pitti Palace. |
