Exploring Renaissance Art in Florence
When visiting Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, one typically explores world-class museums such as the Uffizi Gallery, renowned for its extensive collection of Renaissance masterpieces. However, it also features works from the International Gothic style, pre-Renaissance artists, and some Baroque pieces, most notably by Caravaggio. Another essential stop for visitors is the Accademia Gallery, primarily famous for Michelangelo‘s David. This statue has captivated audiences since its creation and set the standard for male beauty for centuries. Despite the spotlight on David, the Accademia also boasts an impressive collection of other significant artworks.
Experiencing Art in its Original Context
Beyond the famous galleries and museums, Renaissance art in Florence—and indeed throughout Italy—can often be experienced in the very spaces where these masterpieces were originally meant to be displayed. Walter Benjamin was one of the first to argue that the “aura” of an artwork, the sense of awe and uniqueness it evokes, diminishes when reproduced. He believed that the artwork’s physical presence in a specific time and space is essential to its power. Similarly, John Berger, in his influential book Ways of Seeing, argued that removing an artwork from its original setting and reproducing it changes its meaning. Without its original cultural and historical context, the dynamics of viewing are altered.
What better way to experience Renaissance art than to see these masterpieces in their natural habitats? The secularization of religious art likely reflects changing societal values more than the relocation of these works to museums. However, standing in the same place where devoted pilgrims once stood—individuals who experienced far fewer visual stimuli than we do today—offers a powerful opportunity. It allows us to imagine the profound impact these artworks had in their original, intended context.
Florence provides countless chances to immerse yourself in Renaissance art. I’m excited to share some of my favorite spots that I believe should be on every visitor’s list. I’m going to skip over the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, as everyone will undoubtedly visit it when in Florence. Instead, I will focus on some of the lesser-known gems. Some of these locations are free to enter, while most require a fee. It’s important to remember that preserving these works is vital. Entrance fees help ensure future generations can enjoy them.
San Marco Museum
San Marco may technically be a museum today, but it was originally a Dominican convent. It was built in the 15th century with much of its original structure still intact. The true highlight is the series of frescoes by Fra Angelico, a key figure in early Renaissance art. His work bridges older traditions with the innovations of the new era. One of his most famous works, The Annunciation, appears here as a fresco. However, the tempera on wood version resides at the Prado Museum in Madrid. The Annunciation fresco is on the first floor, where the monks’ cells are found. Each cell also features a fresco by Fra Angelico.
Imagine being a Dominican friar in Florence, waking up each morning to the sight of these beautiful wall paintings. What a true joy that must have been! Though the rooms are now empty, you can still get a clear sense of how the monks lived, with their small windows overlooking the cloister.
Fra Girolamo Savonarola
Another display, not directly related to art, features relics from the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola. You can see some of his personal items there. Savonarola was a deeply pious figure who briefly controlled Florence while the Medici family was in exile from roughly 1494 to 1498. He preached fervently against the corruption of the Church, advocating for a return to purity and austerity, and condemned materialism and vanity. This culminated in the Bonfire of the Vanities in 1497, where books, artworks, and luxury items were publicly burned. I have to admit, I probably wouldn’t know much about him if I weren’t a fan of the TV series The Borgias starring Jeremy Irons. Steven Berkoff, who played Savonarola, really brought the character to life—capturing his intensity and conviction, until Pope Alexander VI had him burned for heresy, both in the show and in real life. So, if you’re a fan like me, you might enjoy the visit to San Marco even more.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in Florence, with construction beginning in the 13th century. However, Leon Battista Alberti designed its façade, a Renaissance masterpiece completed in the 15th century. The church is home to many significant artworks, most notably Masaccio’s Holy Trinity, one of the earliest examples of linear perspective in art. Imagine the awe of devout Christians seeing a painting with realistic 3-dimensional space for the very first time! How surreal it must have seemed, like peering into another world right there on the church wall! When I visited, the painting was under restoration—you could still see it through the scaffolding, which is why I’m not including a picture here.
Other works
Other remarkable artworks include Domenico Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Giorgio Vasari’s Madonna del Rosario, Filippino Lippi‘s frescoes in the Filippo Strozzi Chapel, and Crucifixes by Filippo Brunelleschi and Giotto. Santa Maria Novella is one of the most artwork-rich churches in Florence, and if you only have time to visit one or two, it’s an excellent choice. Plus, it’s conveniently located near the train station, making it easy to visit.
There are also two impressive cloisters, the Green Cloister and the Great Cloister, both adorned with frescoes. It’s a peaceful and beautiful walk, with the serene atmosphere helping you feel centered. Noteworthy frescoes can be found in the Green Cloister, particularly those by Paolo Uccello and the stunning works by Andrea di Bonaiuto in the Spanish Chapel. The Great Cloister also features frescoes, though fewer are attributed to specific well-known artists.
Basilica of San Lorenzo
The Basilica of San Lorenzo served as the parish church of the Medici family, whose original home was just around the corner from the square. Their tombs are also located within the basilica, housed in the Medici Chapels and the grand Chapel of the Princes. Filippo Brunelleschi designed the church, who may not be as well-known outside of Italy but stands on par with Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. The New Sacristy was designed by Michelangelo, while the transept dome was painted much later, in 1742, by Vincenzo Meucci. The basilica also houses Filippo Lippi‘s famous Annunciation and important sculptures by Donatello. Most notably the intricate reliefs on the door panels of the Old Sacristy, which you can see below.
After exiting the church, you can enter the impressive cloister and take the stairs to visit the stunning Laurentian Library. The library was designed by Michelangelo. Inside, you’ll find beautifully decorated books and manuscripts, many of which belonged to the Medici family. This library was created to house their extensive collection, which included priceless works of literature, philosophy, and science. The elaborate design and craftsmanship of the books reflect the Medici‘s dedication to knowledge and scholarship. The monks must have been very studious indeed, surrounded by such intellectual treasures.
Basilica of Santa Croce
The Basilica of Santa Croce is a renowned Franciscan church, celebrated not only for its rich artistic heritage but also for its civic significance and the importance of its funerary monuments. Among its most notable artworks are the frescoes by Giotto in the Peruzzi and Bardi Chapels, dating from around 1315-1335. Giotto is considered one of the forefathers of the Renaissance, introducing a sculptural three-dimensionality and a level of realism that had never been seen in painting before. Another significant work is the crucifix by Cimabue, damaged during the floods of 1966. This piece exemplifies the bridge between Byzantine art and the early Renaissance. Donatello‘s Annunciation is another noteworthy work. This gilded stone bas-relief masterfully conveys movement and emotion, blending classical and Christian themes.
However, what Santa Croce is truly known for are the tombs of important Italian figures, with the inclusion of foreign ones as a later trend. This is why the basilica is often referred to as the Tempio dell’Itale Glorie (Temple of Italian Glories). It houses the tombs or monuments of illustrious Italians such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini, making it a symbol of Italian national pride. Notably, the 19th-century French author Stendhal famously experienced overwhelming emotion when he visited these tombs in 1817. His description of the experience gave rise to the term “Stendhal syndrome,” a psychosomatic condition triggered by exposure to great art. Honestly, emotion overwhelmed me during my visit, though I didn’t faint—I just shed a few tears!
I was in a sort of ecstasy, from the idea of being in Florence, close to the great men whose tombs I had seen. Absorbed in the contemplation of sublime beauty… I reached the point where one encounters celestial sensations… Everything spoke so vividly to my soul. Ah, if I could only forget. I had palpitations of the heart, what in Berlin they call ‘nerves’. Life was drained from me. I walked with the fear of falling.
Basilica of Santa Trinita
The Santa Trinita is a historic church in Florence, known for its elegant Renaissance architecture. It was founded in the 11th century by the Vallombrosan Order, a branch of the Benedictine monks. The influential Strozzi family later became patrons, funding its renovations and decorations. Originally built in the Romanesque style, a Gothic facade was later added to it. Inside, the church houses several significant artworks, including the famous Sassetti Chapel. It features frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio depicting scenes from the life of Saint Francis. Santa Trinita is also notable for its tranquil atmosphere, offering a quieter, yet rich, artistic experience compared to Florence’s larger and more visited churches.
There are certainly more churches with notable works, but this article is already quite lengthy. I’ll briefly mention a few more and the significant artworks they contain, though I’m sure to leave some out. Feel free to mention any I’ve missed in the comments.
Santo Spirito features a crucifix by Michelangelo and altarpieces by Filippino Lippi and others. San Salvatore di Ognissanti, or simply Ognissanti, showcases Ghirlandaio’s Last Supper fresco and St Jerome in his Study. It is the final resting place of Early Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli and the explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Santa Maria del Carmine in the Brancacci Chapel holds important frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino, depicting scenes from the life of St. Peter—considered a cornerstone of early Renaissance art.
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