After coming out of Galleria dell'Accademia, I roamed all over the Historic Centre of Florence as I had booked my entry into Uffizi at 11:15, plus since Duomo visit flopped. Since it was prime time, the crowd was pretty much. The security is pretty much like airport style security and there's a cloak room free of charge. People where sent in, in batches and there was a waiting time and a queue as well! And as the map suggested, I went directly to 2nd floor. The gallery has sculptures and paintings since Ancient Greek era till Late Renaissance.
This building was built in 1560 by Georgio Vasari. To begin with, the exquisiteness began with the corridor itself. I've been trying to find out but I don't know when were the ceiling frescoes of the corridors were made.
The entire corridor is filled with sculptures at equidistant and paintings hanging on the wall between them. And here I got to see some of the sculptures and paintings that I've read about and studied extensively in Uni days. That's something I studied in Uni days for the costume worn by the woman in the painting. That's the Portrait of Eleanor of Toledo and Her Son, painted by Bronzino in 1545.
2 main sculptures in this corridor are a copy of Laocoon & Sons and Hercules and Nessus. Hercules & Nessus is an ancient Roman sculpture of 3rd C BCE which was restored in 16th C with the bits and pieces of fragments left. Another interesting sculpture here was of Demetra, again a Roman sculpture of 430-400 BCE. What makes it all the more interesting is that its has a black colored robe on it which was also made of stone. I don't know how he managed that!
In the Tribune hall (an octagonal hall) were the prized possessions of ancient Classical Greek & Roman sculptures and High Renaissance paintings! Bang at the centre was Venus de' Medici made in 1st C BCE. Beside it was Wrestlers, an ancient Roman sculpture of 3rd C BCE, depicting a composition of 2 men wrestling. Also here is Arrotino, a Hellinistic Roman sculpture of 1st C BCE which depicts a man crouching and sharpening his knife.
In the rooms ahead was the temporary exhibition when I went on paintings done on wood carvings, very much similar to the extensive collection in Galleria dell'Accademia. This is Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints by Lorenzo di Pietro made in 1457 CE.
The usual place where Botticelli's paintings were kept was under renovation when I went, but fortunately the paintings were relocated to another room, so thankfully I wasn't dejected. And I was more than exuberant to see his masterpieces, again that I studied in my Uni days, with my own eyes - Birth of Venus (c.1484-6 CE) and La Primavera (c. 1482 CE)!
One more that I totally adored was Adoration of Shepherds made in 1475 CE by Hugo van der Goes, a Flemish artist. This was in 3 sections and was originally a meant to be the altarpiece in the chapel of an hospital. The detailing in this was really interesting. Unlike the usual style of depicting the 3 wise men, here the 3 are of 3 different races! The oh-so-colorful brocaded detailing in the clothing of the angels is to be noted! Guess what, he was a contemporary of Jan Van Eyck who painted the Arnolfini Wedding. The style of shoes depicted in both are exactly the same. And you think touching the fingers of both hands to form a heart is something new??? Well, Magi is doing it in 1475 CE!
The 2nd floor wraps up with the golden room, Niobe. Quite literally, its gilded with gold detailing in the ceiling & walls. This is filled with 17 sculptures of 15th - 16th C CE. Beyond this is the refreshment area with cafe and the view of Duomo from here is just spectacular.
The 1st floor begins with quite a few ancient Roman Hellenistic sculptures incl Doryphorus Torso of the 1st half of 1st C CE. This is made of a very strong mineral called Bassanite and I'm unsure if its harder than granite. The sleeping beauty is actually a Hermaphrodite of Roman Art of 1st - 2nd C CE. Though looks like a female, complete with b*easts, from the other side it also has a p*nis!!!
Further rooms in this floor are dedicated to region-wise segregated artists. This is Our Lady of Sorrows made in 1500 and is accredited to Anonimo Pittore Fiorentino. Further ahead was Caravaggio's Medusa made in 1597 and was originally intended to be a shield in the armory. By this time, infact even by the time I got to half of 1st floor I got pretty tired and that's completely justified when you think of how extensive this Gallery is!!!! I got out, collected my backpack and came out. There were some cute spherical seating arrangement of roadside made of concrete and that was something I totally needed after walking all over Uffizi. That's where I had my lunch of 2 apples!!!!!
My complete Florence (Firenze) travelogue:
Firenze Town: David by Michelangelo, Galleria dell' Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, Historic Centre of Florence, Loggia dei Lanzi, Santa Maria Novella
Pisa Town: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa Cathedral & Baptistery, Pisa Camposanto, Pisa Town
To Get There:
Nearest Metro Station: Santa Maria Novella
Nearest Bus stop: San Marco Rettorato
Entry Ticket: €8.00; €4.00 (if you're below 25 yrs of age and an EU citizen)
Plus if there any temporary exhibition happening there, that cost is extra and that cost in not optional. You cannot say that you don't want to see the exhibition!!! I paid €4.00 for painted wooden sculptures exhibition.
Plus €4.00 as reservation charges if booked online
Timings: 8:15AM to 6:50PM
Here are some tips:
There are way too many sites that sell tickets for entry and I had a tough time to figure out which is real and which is fake, so let me make your life easier - Official Uffizi Tickets by B-Ticket, the only official channel as authorized by Ministry of Heritage & Tourism of Govt of Italy.
Italians do not call is Florence. Its an anglicized term. They call the place Firenze.
Follow the Museum map, that's the easiest way to see all the rooms of the gallery, without missing too much (I say this, coz to not miss anything at all, is almost impossible).
If you're into art history or an art buff, you could see just Uffizi for 2 days minimum. But just to justify saying that you've been to Uffizi, dedicate atleast 2 hrs to it!
Looks like there is a lot of fantastic art to see here. I like how you explained how to get there too. That is so useful for everyone but especially for those of us with kids who like to plan ahead
ReplyDeleteI've been there just 2 months ago! Your pictures are really nice, you captured so many details! We regretted not having taken a guide to visit as there is so much to see!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the official channel to buy tickets. As a tourist, it is hard to know the right place. And you want to support the owners of the museum vs. the fakers or the people that buy tickets and resell them for a profit.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photographs of the Uffizi gallery. You are great lover of sculptures I guess. Very detailed information about how to get there and what to see. Sleeping Beauty is really interesting because it have female and male characteristics.
ReplyDeleteMuseums are beautiful places to get lost in. I know that if allowed by my friends, I would happily stay for hours on end! And thanks for providing the official link for tickets! It can get confusing!
ReplyDeleteWow, these statues really date back far, all the way back to the first century. The Venus de' Medici statue is my favourite from those you photographed! I didn't study much Roman history so cannot appreciate the paintings as you do, its fascinating you know the story behind the costume worn by the woman painted in 1545! As always you've taken some wonderful photos and captured some of the statues from very unique angles!
ReplyDeleteThe building itself is a work of art. The pieces inside are also beautiful. What a lovely collection of sculpture and paintings.
ReplyDeleteYou have extensive knowledge on these sculptures and paintings. It's very interesting that you had the opportunity to view these masterpieces that you studied back in University. I am intrigued by the painting of the Adoration of Shepherds. The details are very interesting especially as you noted the depiction of the three wise men as three different races. I have never seen this before. Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive collection! The details are very intricate. I would probably spend 2 hours here as you've suggested.
ReplyDeleteYou can really appreciate the intricacies of the arts here. It's just a masterpiece you can appreciate.
ReplyDeleteThis place is new to me. The art is so pretty, though some of the poses are rather strange! It is the kind of art you can appreciate the hard work that went into making it
ReplyDeleteI have read that Uffizi Gallery gets a lot of visitors. You got lucky because you were still able to go in. It would be nice to book a tour here. I will not be able to recognize all of these paintings and sculptures on my own. It is also massive and I might get lost. I like that you have mentioned where to buy the real tickets to visit this gallery. It is a valuable information.
ReplyDeleteI remember my Mom telling me about their visit to the Uffizi Gallery I think 2 years back. I'm so glad that my sisters take time from their busy lives to bring her to these places. She's already 78 and so well traveled! I hope I can travel with her too.
ReplyDeleteItaly has a wonderful architecture and these gallery are so well maintained and I so wish to bring my kids to these places.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a place that surrounds with beautiful art like this one. It's always great to gaze at them and know the story behind. You never fail to amaze me with all your amazing travel experiences around the world.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider myself an art connoisseur but this museum is amazing. Florence is one city that I've always wanted to go, you're so lucky to visit it. I hope to visit this museum someday but thanks for providing me with this glimpse.
ReplyDeleteThese tips are awesome! The gallery seems spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThe Hercules sculpture is my fav- so life like. I find it interesting to see how much effort was taken for art in the centuries that have gone by. Would love to visit the Uffizi when I am in Italy!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see this museum in person. The details of the corridor are absolutely incredible! Thank you for providing the official link to buy tickets.
ReplyDeleteI always think that whether this kind of rich heritage today's artists will leave for the future. Bhushavali, when I'll visit Europe, I am going to really refer to all your posts again :)
ReplyDeleteI always thought it was interesting how you alway put side by side the closeup thumbnail, as it capture my attention first before my eyes move on to other details~
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