Masterpieces by Michelangelo in Florence, in 5 steps

Maybe you already know that this year is the 450th anniversary of Michelangelo’s death and Firenze is running beautiful exhibitions and events in order to celebrate him. With this article we would like to introduce you the main artworks realized by the master which are located in Florence.

Michelangelo was born and grew in Florence, he lived a very long and prolific life and he has left a legacy of immortal masterpieces to the world, partly located in Rome and partly in Tuscany’s capital. His most famous artwork, the David, is known worldwide as the symbol of the Renaissance sculpture and you can admire it in several places of Florence:

• the marble copy in front of the Palazzo Vecchio;
• the bronze copy at Piazzale Michelangelo;
• the original statue in the Academy Gallery.

Beyond the David, Michelangelo in Florence has left many important works, that we would like to list through an imaginary tour in 5 steps.

1. The Laurentian Library
Piazza San Lorenzo, 9
It is one of the main architectural project of the Florentine artist, who designed its structure and the interior spaces, including decorations and furnishings. A very important part of the library is the famous staircase that leads from the vestibule to the reading room, which is considered a prototype of Mannerism in architecture.

2. The Sagrestia Nuova (New Sacristy) inside the Medici Chapel
Cappelle Medicee, Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini
The Sagrestia Nuova was intended by Pope Leo X Medici to be the mortuary chapel for two members of the Medici family: his brother Giuliano and his nephew Lorenzo, duke of Urbino. Michelangelo realized their tombs with statues representing them and four “allegories”: Day, Night, Dawn and Dusk, representing the flow of time.

3. The Deposition (also called the Florence Pietà, or the Bandini Pietà)
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, piazza Duomo 9
It is a marble sculpture with four figures: Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene and Nicodemus, which could be a self-portrait of Michelangelo himself. In contrast to other pietàs, or depositions, where the strenght of the imminent resurrection of the Lord prevails, in this work the scene is dominated by a sense of tragedy.

4. The sculptures inside the Bargello Museum
Museo del Bargello, via del Proconsolo 4
One of the room of the Bargello Museum is dedicated to the sculptures from the XVI century and to some works of Michelangelo: among those you can admire the Bacco (the only non-religious work done by the master), the David- Apollo and the bust of Brutus (symbol of the murder of duke Alessandro dei Medici by his cousin Lorenzino).

5. The Doni Tondo
Galleria degli Uffizi
It is the only finished panel painting by Michelangelo and it represents the Holy Family in a innovative manner. The surface treatment of the figures resembles a sculpture more than a painting and the composition breaks the conventional rules of perspective.

Book your tour with us!

Among our tours, there is one dedicated to Michelangelo and his relationship with the Medici family. Book it for your next stay in Florence, you will look at the artist with new eyes and you will experience the beauty and the genius of his works.