Celebrating the 450th anniversary of the deaths of Cosimo I de’ Medici and Giorgio Vasari, Palazzo Vecchio hosts an extraordinary exhibition that delves into the stunning decoration of the Great Hall. The event offers visitors an immersive exploration into one of history’s most ambitious artistic endeavors.
Known today as the ‘Salone dei Cinquecento’ (Hall of the Five Hundred), the Great Hall was originally built at the end of the 15th century. It underwent a significant transformation in the 1560s when Duke Cosimo I commissioned Giorgio Vasari to redecorate the hall in preparation for the wedding of his son, Francesco, to Joanna of Austria. The renovations, completed just in time for the grand festivities in December 1565, turned the hall into a magnificent celebration of Medici power and Florence’s history.
A great team’s project
The ambitious project kicked off in April 1563, involving a diverse team of artists, craftsmen, and laborers. Vasari, with the help of scholar Vincenzo Borghini, raised the walls by about seven meters and installed a coffered ceiling adorned with elaborate paintings. These paintings created a symbolic narrative of Tuscany’s history, featuring Florence’s victories over Pisa and Siena, along with allegorical depictions of Tuscan cities.
Central to the exhibition are Vasari’s preparatory drawings, loaned from Florence’s State Archives and the Uffizi Gallery. These sketches offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolving design process. Notably, some of the drawings reflect changes requested by Cosimo himself. In a letter displayed at the exhibition, Cosimo advises Vasari on specific adjustments: «Messer Giorgio Nostro carissimo… due cose per hora Ci occorre ricordarvi…», suggesting alterations to better depict his role and virtues.
Letters from the masters
Visitors will also find a series of letters that document the back-and-forth exchanges between Vasari and other key figures, including Michelangelo. One particularly intriguing piece reveals Michelangelo’s suggestion to raise the ceiling height by twelve braccia to enhance the hall’s grandeur. This correspondence underscores the meticulous planning and high stakes involved in the project.
Another highlight is a ledger from the Fabbriche Medicee (Medici Workshops), meticulously detailing the payments and materials used. One entry from 1570 notes a payment for 3,500 gold leaves used to gild the hall’s decorations. Such records bring to life the sheer scale and opulence of the undertaking.
More than an artist, a project manager
The exhibition doesn’t just focus on the hall’s initial construction; it also recounts the grand celebration of Prince Francesco and Joanna’s wedding in December 1565. The festivities included a theatrical performance of La Cofanaria by Francesco d’Ambra and a lavish banquet. Eyewitness accounts describe the dazzling décor—with twelve large crown-shaped lights hanging from the ceiling and walls adorned with monumental canvases depicting Tuscan cities, interspersed with crystal balls filled with colored water.
Beyond historical documentation, the exhibition showcases Vasari’s artistic versatility and leadership in coordinating a multidisciplinary team. Painters such as Johannes Stradanus and Giovanni Battista Naldini, alongside master woodworkers and decorators, brought Vasari’s vision to life. The project’s success was a testament to Vasari’s talent not only as an artist but also as an architect and project manager.
Up-to-date
Modern visitors can appreciate the grandeur of the hall through interactive elements, including a video production by Art Media Studio. This multimedia display juxtaposes Vasari’s drawings with the finished paintings, highlighting fascinating details and inviting viewers to compare the creative process with the final result.
Adding a contemporary touch, the exhibition features a tribute to Vasari by master goldsmith Paolo Penko. On display are replicas of the chain and medal awarded to Vasari by Pope Pius V in 1571. As Vasari recorded, he was honored with the order of the Golden Spur and the knighthood of St. Peter, symbols immortalized in his famous self-portrait, now housed in the Uffizi Gallery.
This exhibition is more than a commemoration—it’s a journey into the past, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience the grandeur of Florence during the Medici era. Visitors can immerse themselves in the intricate world of Vasari and Cosimo I, where art, politics, and history intertwine to create a masterpiece that continues to inspire awe centuries later.