This show revolves around the star of 17th century Florence, the painter Francesco Furini (Florence, 1603-1646) surrounded by painters similar to him including Bilvert, Cesare Dandini, Cecco Bravo and Volterrano.
The show wants to shed light on the secret heart of 17th century Florentine painting in its most luxurious and seductive aspect. The show will follow a chronological order which will present the subsequent periods of Furini's activity with a very selected number of paintings, selected from the highest quality and critically acclaimed expressions.
In addition to Furini there are two compact sections dedicated respectively to his students and the great names of 17th century Florence which in the third decade of the century drew nearer to his style.
This selection of works primarily originated from the purchasers of various members of the Medici dynasty, who loved the new type of painting and intended to decorate their residences like Villa Petraia in Castello, or the Casino buontalentiano of San Marco).
The show will be held at the Museo degli Argenti in Palazzo Pitti, precisely where Furini was commissioned by Ferdinand II to fresco an entire wall of the main hall between 1639 and 1642 with two large lunettes depicting "L'accademia platonica di Careggi" and "L'allegoria della morte del Magnifico Lorenzo".
Starting December 22nd 2007
In Florence at Palazzo Pitti, Museo degli Argenti