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The long awaited Maria de’Medici exhibition is opening at last! A Florentine Queen of France
[Susan Glasspool]
The Silver Museum is one of the most beautiful settings for an exhibition and perfect for hosting this long awaited show on one of Florence’s most famous ladies: Maria de’ Medici (1573-1642) - A Florentine princess on the throne of France. It describes the life of one of the most fascinating personalities in Florentine history and at last gives this second Medici Queen of France (the first was Caterina) the chance to clear her long maligned name. The daughter of Francesco I, sponsor of art and culture, and Joan of Austria, Mary was born in 1573 and brought up in one of the most sophisticated Courts in Europe, famous for its art collections, artistic and craft workshops, music, theatre and politics. Her childhood was spent among the many Medici mansions, like the Pitti Palace with its beautiful Boboli Gardens and the Villa of Pratolino. She was taught music and painting, educated in religion and given a suitable training for a girl who was one day expected to marry into a royal family. Alessandro Allori, Jacopo Ligozzi, Empoli, Cigoli, Giambologna and Ferdinando Tacca were just a few of the artists who regularly worked in the Florentine court and helped form her artistic training, which, in the end, was the most precious heritage she took with her to France.
Maria in fact married Henri IV by proxy in 1600 and the wedding was a festive occasion in the city with a spectacular ceremony in the Cathedral. In spite of her husband’s infidelity, the marriage was blessed with several children and Maria showed herself useful in affairs of state while encouraging cultural life at court. On the death of her husband, she acted as regent, though by the time Louis XIII came of age, she had allied herself with Spain and against her son. Cardinal Richelieu turned the tables and Louis XIII regained his throne, banishing his mother from court. Her disgrace was cleverly exploited and her name has only recently been cleared in an international convention.
Promoted by the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities, the Board of Florentine Museums the show is sponsored by the Ente Cassa di Risparmio of Florence and curated by Caterina Caneva, Francesco Solinas, Paola Bassani Pacht, Thierry Crépin-Leblond and Nicolas Sainte Fare Garnot.
Exhibition details
Entrance: e 6,00/3,00 (including Museum)
Address: Silver Museum, Pitti Palace, Piazza Pitti
Hours: 8.15–17.30 (in March) 8.15–18.30 (in April) - Closed 1st and last Monday of month
Open until September 4th
Information and bookings:
Firenze Musei % 055–2654321
Monday-Friday 8.30am-6.30pm Saturdays 8.30am-12.30pm
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