The Palatine Gallery is located in the incredible and stunning Palazzo Pitti in Florence and is a private royal collection that was opened to the public by the House of Lorraine in 1828.
Today it still retains that typical layout of a private collection and is set within the elaborate and sumptuous setting of the palace, with the works remaining in their original rich picture frames.
It also has not be reorganised, as most such galleries and collections are, into any sort of thematic or chronological order. It, instead, merely reflects the tastes and whims of the people who originally formed the collection over time.
As a result, a visit to this gallery is a very different experience than most other museums around the world will offer. It is also quite refreshing. Instead of feeling as though you need to be on your toes and keeping history and progress firmly unwind, you can merely relax and enjoy the collection as it unfolds. The collection invites us to enjoy, rather than merely categorise and label things. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and you can experience this unique gallery for yourself on your next trip to the city.
Today it still retains that typical layout of a private collection and is set within the elaborate and sumptuous setting of the palace, with the works remaining in their original rich picture frames.
It also has not be reorganised, as most such galleries and collections are, into any sort of thematic or chronological order. It, instead, merely reflects the tastes and whims of the people who originally formed the collection over time.
As a result, a visit to this gallery is a very different experience than most other museums around the world will offer. It is also quite refreshing. Instead of feeling as though you need to be on your toes and keeping history and progress firmly unwind, you can merely relax and enjoy the collection as it unfolds. The collection invites us to enjoy, rather than merely categorise and label things. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and you can experience this unique gallery for yourself on your next trip to the city.
One enters the rooms that house the gallery via a grand staircase erected by Ammannati. These rooms once formed the apartments of the Grand Duke and his audience rooms and are partially frescoed by Pietro da Cortona with a decorative cycle that alludes to life and education of the prince through the use of mythological scenes.
The collection itself, as well as the setting, is rather impressive. It includes works by Titian and Raphael, received by the Medici through the will of Vittoria della Rovere, such as Titian's “Portrait of a Gentleman” and “Magdalene” and the “Madonna of the Grand Duke”, the “Madonna of the Chair” and the “Portrait of Maddalena Doni” by Raphael. Other famous artists represented by the collection include Rubens, Van Dyck, Murillo, Caravaggio, Bronzino, Fra Bartolomeo, Piero del Pollaiolo and Filippo Lippi.
The collection itself, as well as the setting, is rather impressive. It includes works by Titian and Raphael, received by the Medici through the will of Vittoria della Rovere, such as Titian's “Portrait of a Gentleman” and “Magdalene” and the “Madonna of the Grand Duke”, the “Madonna of the Chair” and the “Portrait of Maddalena Doni” by Raphael. Other famous artists represented by the collection include Rubens, Van Dyck, Murillo, Caravaggio, Bronzino, Fra Bartolomeo, Piero del Pollaiolo and Filippo Lippi.
Art lovers visiting Florence should make time for this collection. Many skip it in favour of the more well-known Uffizi gallery but this gallery is also filled with wonderful works of art and is one of the most unique in Tuscany and, probably, the world.
Photo credits
picture 2: Rabel / CC BY-SA 4.0
picture 2: Rabel / CC BY-SA 4.0