Florentine Gothic, an architectural marvel of medieval Florence, Italy, exudes a captivating charm that differentiates it from traditional Gothic styles.
The 12th century saw the emergence of Gothic architecture in Northern Europe as well as the affluent autonomous city-states of Italy.
Characterized by elegant pointed arches, intricate tracery, and richly adorned facades, this unique architectural movement flourished from the 13th to 15th centuries.
Three rooms in the hall are each dedicated to the Florentine artists from the 13th and early 14th centuries, the Giottesque Florentine painters, and Orcagna and his brothers.
The earliest artwork in the Accademia Gallery dates to the 13th century and is in the first room.
The works of Giotto’s admirers, whose goal was to revive the natural world as a subject for Florentine art design, are on display in the second room.
The final room features restored artwork and works by the four brothers, Andrea, Nardo, Matteo, and Jacopo di Cione.
Florentine Gothic buildings, such as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and the Palazzo Vecchio, embody a fusion of sophistication and artistry, reflecting the city’s cultural and artistic prominence during the Renaissance.
So, what are you waiting for? Embark on a journey through time as you explore the enchanting streets and structures adorned in the enchanting embrace of Florentine Gothic architecture.
Buy the entrance ticket to the Accademia Gallery for your preferred time slot and visit these exquisite Florence Italy paintings beside the renowned Michelangelo’s David.
Pacino’s Room
The first room, Pacino’s Room, houses most of the earliest artworks from the 13th and 14th centuries displayed inside the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Here you can find gothic paintings of Florence Italy, in various styles, many painted on wood.
Most of these Florentine paintings were used to decorate churches.
As a result, several painted crucifixes, altarpieces, and representations of the Virgin Mary and an unnamed child, typically identified as the baby Jesus.
You can also see scenes of the lives of Saints painted for teaching and spiritual purposes.
Tree of Life (1305-10), Pacino di Bonaguida
The most famous artwork in this space, The Tree of Life by Pacino di Bonaguida, is a large, complex tree-shaped cross.
According to the Apocalypse, this tree stands for salvation and provides gifts to humanity from its twelve branches in the form of fruits.
The roundels suspended from these branches depict images from Christ’s life, his passion, and his exaltation.
The figures at the base of the tree depict numerous scenes from Genesis about Creation and the lives of Adam and Eve.
Smaller depictions of the Garden of Eden, prominent saints, and other biblical characters are included in the tree painting.
Giotto and Giotteschi’s Room
The second room displays the artwork created by Gothic painters Giotto and his pupils.
It houses works by 14th-century followers of Giotto, along with one piece by Giotto himself.
The artwork by Giotto is a fragment of a detached fresco painting now known as Shepherd’s Head from Florence’s oldest abbey, the Badia Fiorentina.
A shepherd’s head with remarkable pictorial quality is depicted in the fragment, which helped date the piece to the 1320s.
Giotto’s followers and disciples made the remainder of the works of art in this space.
The Giotto school aimed to reintroduce nature to art. Many of these little gilded works of art feature biblical scenes, biblical characters, or significant saints.
Bernardo Daddi, one of Giotto’s students, painted several gold-backed panel paintings in the room.
Bernardo Daddi’s Crucifixion
The largest painted Crucifix (ca. 1345) mainly depicts a “Christus patiens” in the traditional Gothic stance.
The sad images of Mary and John the Evangelist surround Christ’s heavy body in Daddi’s Crucifix.
The ends of the arms feature images of “The Mocking of Christ”, “Christ at the Column”, and “The Way to Calvary”.
You can also find two paintings, The Crucifix and Stigmata of St. Francis, by Taddeo Gaddi, one of Giotto’s most incredible followers in Florence.
Orcagna’s Room
The third and last room, Orcagna’s Room, displays various artwork created by four brothers: Andrea di Cione, Nardo, Matteo, and Jacopo di Cione.
Andrea di Cione was a prominent painter and sculptor in Florence towards the middle of the fourteenth century.
He was called “the Orcagna” (archangel) and frequently collaborated with his siblings.
The Orcagna brothers and their supporters enriched the lavish linens and curtains covering the thrones and pavements with priceless gold leaf refined with various punches.
These artworks are also golden in color and have a religious theme, as they were rather popular in Florence throughout the Gothic era.
Some must-admire artworks include:
- Coronation of the Virgin by Jacopo di Cione
This critical and famous panel painting, also known as ‘Altarpiece of the Mint,’ shows Christ’s mother’s coronation and representations of Florence’s beloved patron saints.
- The Pentecost by Andrea di Cione
This painting portrays the festival of Pentecost, commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the founding of the Christian church.
It depicts the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary in the form of fiery tongues, symbolized by a white dove on top.
- The Trinity by Nardo di Cione
This painting, made for the Santa Maria Novella church in Florence, portrays the concept of the Holy Trinity by showing God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as three figures seated on a throne.
It is famous for its vibrant colors, accurate depiction of the figures, and ornamental border surrounding the main scene.
Featured Image: Finestresullarte.info