Uffizi Reopens With 14 New Rooms

To the left, St. John the Baptist (donated to the Uffizi in 2020); to the right, Angel Playing the Lute, both by Rosso Fiorentino

Museumgoers rejoice! After months of waiting, the Uffizi Gallery reopened starting May 4 with not one, not two, not three, but 14 new rooms showcasing over 120 self-portraits from the 16th century. Newly displayed works by artists including Daniele da Volterra, Rosso Fiorentino, and Bartolomeo Passerotti will be showcased, with 13 rooms dedicated to the masterpieces by artists of Florentine, Emilian, and Roman origin. The 14th and final room will display the self-portraits of the artists along with famed paintings by Bernini and others. 

The gallery is also changing the entire museum path to accommodate this large exhibit. The new rooms welcome the public arriving on the second floor from the Buontalenti staircase or the elevator located between the Leonardo and Michelangelo-Raphael’s halls in the middle of the West Corridor. The following two rooms showcase two works of Daniele da Volterra, a famed follower of the great Michelangelo and a depiction of Homer and the enigma by Bartolomeo Passerotti in the room dedicated to Emilian art. This area also displays the famed painting of Madonna with the long neck by the artist Parmagianino, works by Dosso Dossi and his followers, and works by artists of Ferrera hung on the walls like jewelry 

The room dedicated to Tuscan art houses the St. John the Baptist by Rosso Fiorentino, while the Madonna delle Arpie by Andrea del Sarto is displayed upon a stone altar in a theatric light. From there, the room on the left shows Rosso Fiorentino’s Angel Playing the Flute while the right room displays the Visitation of Mariotto Albertinelli. The next room to be entered is dedicated to Andrea del Sarto followed by the one dedicated to Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino, featuring works also by BachiaccaGranacci, and Puligo. The “Marble Corridor” helps to separate the exhibit, decorated in soft colors and displayed in a line down a long hallway along a bench. Standing out is the Roman relief from the 1st century A.D., depicting the seated figure known both as “Shepard” and “Wanderer,” due to his 10,000-yard but intent stare. 

A separate room is dedicated to the Cardinal Leopold, a famed art collector, whose likeness was captured by Giovanni Battista Foggini. The statue is surrounded by masterpieces bought and acquired by the Cardinal himself, including works by Bernini. Many paintings in the gallery are from his collection and now they can be admired together. After many, many months, Italians can once again walk amongst masterpieces.  (stephanie klein)