Casa Buonarroti
The Casa Buonarroti ( (of the family) Buonarroti ) is a museum in Florence dedicated to Michelangelo Buonarroti , located in the former palazzo of the Buonarroti family on Via Ghibellina at the corner of Via Buonarroti.
History of the Palazzo
The building was constructed by Michelangelo's nephew, Leonardo Buonarroti, between 1546 and 1553. Michelangelo, who died in 1564 and spent his last years in Rome, never lived in the palazzo himself. Later the palazzo was enlarged and restored by one of the master's great nephews, the son of Leonardo, until it finally took on its present form in 1612.
Michelangelo's great-nephew used a project for the expansion and renovation work that included two drawings by the master. The famous great-uncle is extensively celebrated in the internal decorations. In 1858 the last descendant of the Buonarroti family, Cosimo, donated the house and the collections it contained to a foundation, thus laying the foundation for the existing public museum.
The palazzo was restored several times in the 1950s and 1960s. Above all, the great Arno flood in November 1966 damaged Casa Buonarroti and made extensive restoration work necessary.
Collections
The Casa Buonarroti contains a whole series of works by Michelangelo, which his nephew and his descendants have collected.
- Wax and bronze models
- A large wooden model for the project of the facade design of the Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze
- A large number of drawings
- A marble bas-relief of a Madonna and Child ( the Madonna on the stairs ), which was created around 1491
- The Centaur Battle , a marble high relief, which is also a youth work of the master (around 1492)
- Various designs ( bozzetti ) for sculptures made of terracotta and other materials, the torso of a river god , Zei fighters and a Madonna with the child
Works by other artists:
- A Michelangelo bust by Daniele da Volterra , after the death mask
- Frescoes depicting scenes from Michelangelo's life
- Works that show Michelangelo's influence on other artists
Works of art from antiquity:
- Stele of Larth Ninie , an Etruscan tomb from the 6th century BC Chr.
- Several sarcophagi from the late Etruscan era
- Artifacts from ancient Rome
Library
The Casa Buonarroti contains a publicly accessible library with 11,000 books, including some rarities from the 16th century. The museum also has a photo library with 10,000 photographs, mostly of works by Michelangelo, but also by other artists.
Web links
Coordinates: 43 ° 46 ′ 11.7 " N , 11 ° 15 ′ 49.5" E