As I shared in THIS POST, the self-portrait gallery was the highlight of the Uffizi Museum for me, but another exhibit was a very, very close second. I mean, they are virtually tied, and I think you’ll see why.
As my mom and I meandered through the light-filled U-shaped corridors of the Uffizi, a portrait of a woman and her child hung high on one of the walls. It was too high for me to lean in and appreciate the details, but the rich green backdrop and the woman’s intricate dress caught my attention.
What I didn’t know at the time was that this portrait was just a preview of more Brozino paintings I was just about to see from a much better vantage point.
Five Bronzino portraits of members of the Medici family were hung together in a stunning exhibit. The pictures do some justice in capturing the vibrant colors, but they are so rich and gorgeous.
I immediately recognized the portrait of the woman and child I liked so much in the hallway. This one, though, had a vibrant blue background, and the child wore different clothes and had a more character-filled face. It made me wonder if the one in the hall was a study for this piece.
The portrait is of Eleanora di Toledo with her son Giovanni.
I found the vibrant background inspiring, and it’s made me think about adding more saturated backgrounds to some of my pet portraits and still life paintings. It was a beautiful example of neutral colors in the woman’s flesh tones and clothing, balanced with an intense pop of royal blue.
The dress is a tour de force. It looks so real that you can imagine exactly what it might feel like to run your hand over the fabrics.
I also loved the clothing and colors in this portrait…
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Book (Guilia, Daughter of Alessandro de’ Medici)
I mean, blues and greens are speaking my color language! It would be fun to paint a study of this one, since it would look perfect in my house, but my brushwork is more impressionistic than Bronzino’s, so I’m not sure how it would translate.
The detail on these sleeves is incredible, too.
Portrait of Bia de’ Medici
As much as I love the vibrant background colors, this dark background is so beautiful as well.
Portrait of Maria, Daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici
It’s hard not to smile at the portrait of little Giovanni! Every mom knows that chubby toddler smile with the two bottom front teeth showing, likely with some drool running down the chin. Can you even imagine a toddle, estimated to be about 18-months old, wearing a doublet (jacket) like that? My boys would strip off their t-shirts and shorts and run around in diapers anytime we were home!
Portrait of Giovanni, Son of Cosimo I de’Medici
I also love that he’s holding a little bird. What a funny prop, isn’t it? Should he hold a toy or a book? No, let’s go with a goldfinch
The next day, Mom and I went to the Pitti Palace, and we came across a display of the burial clothing worn by Eleanora, Cosimo I, and one of their sons, Don Garzia. It felt strange, somber, and somewhat questionable that their clothes were removed from their corpses and put on display, but it was also fascinating.
Garzia died when he was 15 years old from malaria.
His mother and brother, Giovanni, died within days of Garzia from the same illness. The women dressing Eleanora for burial were so afraid of catching her illness that they didn’t properly lace up her dress. If I remember correctly, her stockings and shoes were put on in haste as well.
The clothes were found during a tomb investigation, and since it is incredibly rare to find intact clothing and textiles from the 16th century, they were removed and preserved. I’m sure many people weighed the ethical questions surrounding the disruption of human remains, along with the research value and historical significance. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but a part of me was glad to be a beneficiary of the decision to restore and display the clothing. It was very interesting and made the people in the portraits come alive, in a sense.
As soon as I got home, I bought a book on Bronzino (THIS ONE) so I could study the paintings and his work further. (I bought it used at a reasonable price, but it’s listed for an outrageous sum at the moment!) I just have a few more posts to share about my time in Florence last fall. Since it’s been a few months, I’m so thankful I took lots of photos and notes, so I could share all about it here.
You can find more posts about our trip to Italy below…
My favorite part of the Uffizi Museum
Revisiting a Special Place in Florence
marbled paper & bookbinding workshop
Plein Air Painting in Italy & Podere Tour
Dinner in a Castle | Tuscany Creative Retreat
6 Responses
I believe the museum systems were hacked after you were there, Mariam. All the irreplaceable expensive things were in the museum vault. You were so lucky to see all. The backgrounds must have cost a lot. Especially blue. But the Medici were rich; they probably didn’t care.
The detail of the clothing is phenomenal! As a seamstress, I am thinking of the time, finesse, and patience it must have taken to create those beautiful garments. Of course, we don’t always appreciate the details of historic artwork as much today because of the easy accessibility of photographs, but, that must have been an awesome experience to be able to lean in and analyze the artist’s work. Thanks for sharing.
Loved this post Marion! I will definitely be looking for these paintings next month when I go. Thank you for the highlight. I also saw your info about “linen man” and we will pay him a visit too!!!
My favorite artist! As a Costume Designer I was inspired by Bronzino’s works. His rendering of silks and velvets is masterful. The detail he puts into his works was so helpful when I was doing 16th century costuming. Thank you for sharing these remarkable portraits.
SusanIrene B
Didn’t they just take your breath away? I love art, although not an artist I have a very good eye and am able to appreciate these wonders. I still remember, years ago in Chicago the first time I actually went to an art museum and unless you’ve been to o e and see these masterpieces in person you are clueless as to their beauty. I recall a beautiful red dress that looked so much like velvet one would think they could just reach out and feel the softness. Old sailors sitting around a fire, glowing faces – you could almost feel the heat – Splendid!!
Your question about the ethics of removing items from a burial for display has piqued my interest. Preservation versus dignity; or the beliefs or religious or cultural viewpoint of the decedent, or peoples of their time period. This will be a question to my daughter the archeologist/ museum curator ,[ Public Historian actually ], this week. The paintings look so lifelike, on could feel the fabrics and textures with ones eyes. Kim