The dazzling brightness of the colours displayed through the histories depicted in the tapestries

For the first time after 25 years, 17 masterpieces of tapestries chosen among 8 collections have returned to their place of origin for an exhibition at the Uffizi Gallery. One of the most precious section of the Museum’s collections can be admire in this exhibition entitled “The Tapestry Gallery. Epiphanies of precious fabrics”.

In 1987, superb series of tapestries were removed, due to problems of conservation, from the corridors of the Gallery where for decades they had been an element of magnificent elegance. Despite their often monumental dimensions and seemingly solid presence, tapestries are delicate manufactures; the light, dust and tensile stress deteriorate those artworks rapidly and the colours fade day after day.

In this temporary exhibition, visitors can admire a series of works which illustrate and recount the opulence and magnificence of the European courts during the Renaissance. The exhibition presents works of sixteenth-century Flemish manufacture (from the series entitled Stories of Jacob, Festivities at the Valois Court, and Stories of Hannibal), and sixteenth and seventeenth-century Florentine manufactures (devotional hangings from the Salviati cycle, tapestries from the series entitled Florentine Histories, Hunting Scenes, The Passion of Christ and Stories of Phaeton), and two exemplars of the type of tapestries that were hung above doors and called Portiere, illustrating the Medici’s coat of arms.

Tapestries in the past were mostly considered objects to worship, shown during important ceremonies in court life. A strong tradition and passion passed down through noble families such as the Medici, who had an important collection. The skill of the artists responsible for the cartoons (some of them on display) can be appreciated, together with details of the different ways in which the works were acquired for the grand ducal collections: via gift, dowry, legacy or commission.

Visitors can also discover the ancient techniques through which the tapestries were made and at the same time, admire the complex art of restoration carried out by the Florentine school, considered one of the most important in the world today.

 

Dettaglio Arazzeria di Bruxelles, Un torneo, sec. XVI secolo, lana, seta, oro,  argento. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, DepositoLudovico Cardi detto il Cigoli (Toscana 1559 - Roma 1613), disegnatore;  Guasparri Papini (1540 ca. - 1621), esecutore, Cristo davanti ad Erode, sec. XVII  secolo, seta, oro, argento dorato. Firenze, Galleria degli Uffizi, DepositiAttribuito a Alessandro Allori (Firenze 1535 - 1607), disegnatore; Guasparri di Bartolomeo  Papini (1540 ca. - 1621), esecutore, Stemma dei Medici portiera, 1596 (?)-1597 (?), lana, seta.  Firenze, Galleria degli Uffizi, DepositiAlessandro Allori (Firenze 1535 - 1607), disegnatore; Guasparri di  Bartolomeo Papini (1540 ca. - 1621), esecutore, Cristo nell’orto del  Getsemani, 1589-1592 , seta, oro, argento dorato. Firenze, Galleria degli  Uffizi, DepositiAlessandro Allori (Firenze 1535 - 1607), disegnatore; Guasparri  di Bartolomeo Papini (1540 ca. - 1621), L’ultima cena, 1591-1595,  seta, oro e argento dorato. Firenze, Galleria degli Uffizi, DepositiArazzeria di Bruxelles, Assalto ad un elefante turrito, XVII secolo, lana,  seta, oro, argento. Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, DepositoArazzeria di Bruxelles, Un torneo, sec. XVI  secolo, lana, seta, oro, argento. Firenze, Gallerie  degli Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, Deposito
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Information

The Tapestry Gallery. Epiphanies of precious fabrics

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

20 March 2012 – 3 June 2012

Exhibition curated by Giovanna Giusti

Exhibition catalogue published by Giunti Editore (available only in Italian)

Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali, Direzione Regionale per i Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici della Toscana, Soprintendenza Speciale per il Patrimonio Storico, Artistico ed Etnoantropologico e per il Polo Museale della città di Firenze; Galleria degli Uffizi, Firenze Musei