Caterina and Maria de’ Medici – Firenze – October 24, 2008 – February 8, 2009

This exhibition tells of the power of imagery and how images of powerful women were used by the two Medici queens of France to legitimize their rule at a time when women in such positions were rare. It brings to Firenze’s fifteen monumental tapestries commissioned by Caterina de' Medici (1519-89) in the mid-16th century and completed by Maria de' Medici (1573-1642) which depict Artemisia of Caria, widow of Mausolus, who ruled after his death from 352-350 BC, conquering the island of Rhodes.

Further sections of the exhibition expand on the themes depicted by the tapestries as well as studying in depth the character of the two Medici queens, using portraits and works of art loaned from various Firenze’s museums to illustrate the extraordinary refinement that characterized their lives and their patronage.

Organization:
Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and Opificio delle Pietre Dure

Curator: Clarice Innocenti

This exhibition tells of the power of imagery and how images of powerful women were used by the two Medici queens of France to legitimise their rule at a time when women in such positions were rare. It brings to Florence fifteen monumental tapestries commissioned by Caterina de' Medici (1519-89) in the mid-16th century and completed by Maria de' Medici (1573-1642) which depict Artemisia of Caria, widow of Mausolus, who ruled after his death from 352-350 BC, conquering the island of Rhodes. Further sections of the exhibition expand on the themes depicted by the tapestries as well as studying in depth the character of the two Medici queens, using portraits and works of art loaned from various Florentine museums to illustrate the extraordinary refinement that characterised their lives and their patronage.

Several curious pieces include Caterina’s Talisman, a letter with one of her drawings, a small canvas that portrays her at an outdoor banquet with her husband Henry IV and a precious jewellery collection with cameos portraying the king.

Information: +39 055 2645155

Exhibition hours: Daily 9 a.m – 8 p.m
Thursday 9 a.m – 11 p.m
Last admission to the exhibition 1 hour before closing

Tickets
Full € 10,00
Reduced € 8,50 € 8,00 € 7,50
Schools € 4,00

Bookings
Sigma CSC
T. +39 055 2469600
F. +39 055 244145
prenotazioni@cscsigma.it

August 29, 2008   Posted in: Italy