Italy's galleries and museums are so crammed with antiquities and works of art that many languish in storage for years and never see the light of day.
The Uffizi Museums of Florence have announced that they have come upon some long lost treasures stacked away in the proverbial attic of Palazzo Pitti. The three newly identified portraits are part of a series of over 300 paintings of historic personages depicted by 16th century artist Cristofano dell'Altissimo, a follower of Bronzino and Pontormo, and commissioned by Cosimo 1 de'Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.
Two of the portraits, depicting “Sulla” and “a youthful Henry VIII”, originally attributed to “unknown artists” have been identified as the work of dell'Altissimo (known as the “little painter” because of his extreme youth).
The third is believed to be the missing number 1 of the series. It depicts the fabled first king of Rome, Romulus, in profile, complete with “roman” nose and thick black beard. The complete series is considered unique. Known as the “Gioviane Portraits”, they feature over 300 real and fictitious personages from different countries and backgrounds including kings, Popes, sultans, saints, scientists, writers, artists and others who have made their mark on history.
Uffizi curator Eike Schmidt, says he plans to exhibit the series in the new Rooms of the Cinquecento section of the Gallery.
See the Uffizi website for full information about safety procedures for visitors in act regarding the present pandemic.
Info: www.uffizi.it
