Art gallery in Florence: “Art and alchemy” at Uffizi Gallery
Florence will host “Never Seen” again, unique exhibition organized by Uffizi Gallery during Christmas (but it will be open until 7th February 2013) which shows less-known artworks coming from warehouses. This year the exhibition is called “Art and Alchemy. Uffizi Foundry: from laboratory to room of wonders” and wants to represent, through various artworks, the ancient passion for alchemy.
Alchemy was deep-rooted in the Tuscan state capital: Medici’s Family was fascinated by it and had founded in their residence, Palazzo della Signoria, a Foundry. The most devoted to this art was Francesco I, as it is testified by Studiolo of Palazzo Vecchio, a private place for his interests.
Francesco I moved the Foundry to Casino di San Marco, pre-existing building embellished by Buontalenti and adjusted to contain an exclusive space dedicated to studies and experiments; here artists, artisans and alchemists were able to test, beside pharmaceutical secrets, recipes for porcelain, for rock crystal casting, manufacturing of glass, majolica and porphyry.
The exhibition “Art and Alchemy” include paintings, sculptures, engravings, codes and ancient books which reveal Medici’s passion for alchemy, for experimentation and creation of materials. Some of the most characteristic works are manuscripts related to Cosimo and Francesco I, a porcelain portrait of Francesco and a printed text by Leonhard Thurneysser, astrologer and charlatan which led a famous transmutation experiment of a horseshoe into gold.
The exhibition is hosted in Sala delle Reali Poste in Loggiato degli Uffizi, located in the historical centre of Florence; after the exhibition you can stay overnight with Ars Hotels, placed near Uffizi Gallery.