Museo Nazionale del Bargello (Bargello Museum)

NileGuide Expert tip:

Some of the famous statues which were originally outside Orsanmichele are now housed in the Bargello

Description:

• The Bargello is Florence's most famous sculpture museum. The most famous works were done by Michelangelo and Donetello. Once a prison and a place where people were hung from the windows is now a very well renovated museum that holds many amazing sculptures. There are Michelangelo's earliest works here, Bacchus (1497) was carved by him when he was just 22-years-old. The God of Wine was something he was inspired to create when he was studying in Rome. The marble David (1408) is an early Donatello, but the bronze David (1440-50) is a much more mature piece, the first free-standing nude. The inner courtyard is decorated with the coats of arms of various past mayors and other noblemen. The majestic stairwell leads up to the second floor loggia which is filled with a flock of bronze birds cast by Giambologna for Medici gardens. St. George was carved in 1416 for a niche of Orsanmichele. Below the statue is a depiction of the saint slaying his dragon which is an early example of the sculptor's patented schiacciato technique. It uses thinly etched lines and perspective to create great depth in a very shallow space.edici gardens.
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Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010