Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
Nude by Beatrice Brandini
From 18 October 2024 to 26 January 2025 Palazzo Vecchio hosts the exhibition Michelangelo and Power, curated by Cristina Acidini and Sergio Risaliti, in collaboration with the Casa Buonarroti Foundation and organized by the MUS.E Foundation.
Moments of the press conference Sergio Risaliti, Sara Funaro and Cristina Acidini
Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
The exhibition, spread over the second floor of Palazzo Vecchio, between the Sala delle Udienze and the Sala dei Gigli, offers its visitors more than fifty works including sculptures, paintings, drawings, autographed letters and plaster casts, thanks to exceptional loans from prestigious institutions such as the Uffizi Gallery, the National Galleries of Ancient Art in Rome, and other important foundations.
Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
It is an extraordinary exhibition because it offers a new interpretation of Michelangelo’s production, namely Michelangelo’s relationship with power, his political vision, his determination to place himself on an equal footing with the powerful of the earth, but above all his extraordinary personality which today could be compared to that of an effective influencer.
Sleeping Cupid, anonymous Florentine, early 16th century
A glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
“We are used to appreciating and evaluating Michelangelo’s work for its importance and artistic beauty. This time, however, we have the opportunity to delve into something new, namely the relationship between the artist and power, which has always been very particular, so much so that he produced works to which he also gave a political meaning that we can delve into in depth with this exhibition” Giovanni Bettarini, Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Florence.
Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power with the mayor of Florence Sara Funaro
Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
“Michelangelo and Power also means something else. It reminds us of his power, that of pronouncing opinions and even severe judgments, which were followed, cited, passed down. It was enough for him to define the loggia under Brunelleschi’s dome as a “cricket cage” for the construction to be immediately interrupted and the work taken away from poor Baccio d’Agnolo. Today we would call him a fearsome opinion maker”. Cristina Acidini, curator of the exhibition.
Glimpse of the exhibition Michelangelo and Power
“Buonarroti’s familiarity with the great personalities of his time – popes, kings, illustrious men of letters and philosophers, princes and cardinals – was unusual to say the least and appears surprising to us. In his own way, he knew how to stand up to his patrons, relying not only on his pride as a Florentine citizen and artist, but on the monolithic conviction of the supreme superiority of art. For the first time, a major exhibition dedicated to the genius of Buonarroti is being held in Palazzo Vecchio. And for the first time in history, what can be considered a political manifesto of rare power, imagined against the tyrants of the earth, enters these rooms: the famous marble bust of Brutus, the tyrannicide, commissioned from Buonarroti by the adversaries of the Medici, who fled Florence after the fall of the People’s Republic. Michelangelo did not tolerate any despotism, especially a man alone in command. He recognized this centrality in no one but God, and spent the last years of his long career designing the dome of St. Peter’s…” Sergio Risaliti, curator of the exhibition.
From Michelangelo Buonarroti Bacchus with satyr, plaster cast
It is a beautiful exhibition, not only for the extraordinary nature of the works on display, for the beauty of the rooms that host it, and of the entire Palazzo Vecchio, one of the most imposing and important buildings in the world, but I hope that this exhibition will help to send a message of peace, which these times desperately need.
Beauty will save the world, but I think we should start by healing our souls.
Good life to everyone!
Beatrice