ItalyUpdate

Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, is staging a unique tribute to two great Medici women who had enormous influence on the course of events in their times.

Caterina dei Medici, great grand-daughter of Lorenzo il Magnifico, was married to Henry II of Valois and was the mother of three kings, her sons Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III, who succeeded their father when he was killed in an accident in 1559.

During the turbulent period of the religious wars between Catholics and Protestants, Catherine used all her intelligence and inborn gifts of diplomacy to keep the kingdom intact. Unfortunately, her name will forever be linked to the infamous St. Batholomews Day massacre of French Protestants in 1572, which took place on the eve of the wedding of Catherines youngest daughter, Margherite of Valois with Henry of Navarre, a union that Catherine had hoped would bring an end to religious conflict and civil war.  

Fifty years later, another Medici princess, Maria de Medici, was also destined to become Queen of France  when she married Henry IV Bourbon. When her husband was assassinated in 1610, she became regent for her nine year-old son, Louis XIII. A staunch Catholic, she ruled France with an iron hand until Louis insisted in taking over, at the age of fifteen. After a period of conflict with her son, the over-ambitious Maria was exiled on the advice of Cardinal Richelieu when he became chief minister in1630.

The exhibition contains a precious cycle of Flemish tapestries, conceived in honour of Caterina, but only realised during the reign of Maria, as well as jewellery, portraits, paintings, a rock crystal goblet and other objects of interest connected with the two Queens.

The exhibition, Caterina and Maria de Medici: Women of Power will be open until the 8^th February every day from 9 am to 8 pm and Thursdays 9 am to 11 pm. Entrance: 10 euro.

For information: (0039) 055/2645155  www.palazzostrozzi.org