Indulging in Florence’s Must-See Artistic Masterpieces

Under the Tuscan sun is where one can discover the birthplace of the Renaissance — Florence. The capital of the Italy’s region of Tuscany is rife with the legacies of renowned Renaissance figures such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Botticelli, Titian, and Giambologna, all of whom projected the ideals of the flourishing period of cultural rebirth and revival into their artwork.

A treasure trove for art lovers, Florence is the keeper of many of the greatest artistic masterpieces of the Western world. On display at Galleria dell’Accademia is the iconic Michelangelo’s David, which towers at 14-feet tall in all of his glowing marble fame and glory. Lesser known is that Museo Nazionale del Bargello also holds two bronze David sculptures — by Donatello and by Verrocchio — to complete the trifecta of tributes to the Biblical hero. For the best in paintings and portraits, Uffizi is the gallery to go to for the opportunity to gawk at breathtaking beauties such as Donatello’s “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera.” As well, the city’s various squares and streets are filled with art at every turn.

In Piazza della Signoria, visitors will find the open-air sculpture gallery of Loggia dei Lanzi guarded by a pair of lions, the symbolic animal and good luck charm of Florence. Right next door at Palazzo Vecchio stands a replica of Michelangelo’s David, which guards the palace’s entrance alongside a sculpture of the god Hercules and the giant Cacus.

Here are a selection of photographs of the marvelous sculptures and glorious paintings waiting to be seen in Florence, Italy.

Pacino di Bonaguida’s “Tree of Life” (1310) at Galleria dell’Accademia

Jacopo di Cione’s “Coronation of the Virgin” (1370s) at Galleria dell’Accademia

Michelangelo’s David (1501-04) at Galleria dell’Accademia

Donatello’s David (1440s) at Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Verrocchio’s David (1473-75) at Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Giambologna’s “Florence Triumphant over Pisa” (1565) at Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Cellini’s “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” (1545) at Loggia dei Lanzi

Giambologna’s “Abduction of a Sabine Woman” (1581-83) at Loggia dei Lanzi

Fancelli’s Medici Lion (1598) at Loggia dei Lanzi

Giambologna’s Equestrian statue of Cosimo I de ‘Medici (1587-94) in Piazza della Signoria

Bandinelli’s “Hercules and Cacus” (1525-34) at Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria

Raphael’s “The Veiled Woman” (1516) at Palatine Gallery of Palazzo Pitti

Piero della Francesca’s “Portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino” (1465-72) at Uffizi Gallery

Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo” (1507) at Uffizi Gallery

Titian’s “Venus of Urbino” (1538) at Uffizi Gallery

Da Vinci’s “Adoration of the Magi” (1481) at Uffizi Gallery

Botticelli’s “Primavera” (1482) at Uffizi Gallery

Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” (1484-86) at Uffizi Gallery

All photographs were taken by Elizabeth Rosalyn The unless otherwise stated.