The author of this article happened to study art history at university and particularly admired the dreamy mythological paintings of one Sandro Botticelli but only from a distance for a great many years. Upon finally seeing one in real life, the resulting sobbing and outpouring of emotion at their beauty may have alarmed the gallery security staff quite a bit...
Many of us, in fact, are familiar with his works (especially the likes of the beyond iconic Birth of Venus) from their recurring use and appearances throughout pop culture and art but it is a rather different experience to get to see these stunning paintings in person and with your own eyes. Art-lovers and those interested in the great Renaissance Masters should certainly seek Botticelli out and, luckily, if you are planning a vacation in Italy, you will have plenty of opportunities to do so in museums all over the country.
Here are a list of the various museums in question, their locations, and the works that they house for your reference and convenience if you are thinking about booking one of our villas in Italy and are looking to make time to seek out some Botticelli works during your stay:
Florence
Florence’s famous Uffizi gallery is the number one spot for admiring works by Botticelli as this is where you will find two of his best-loved and most well-known paintings, the aforementioned Birth of Venus and the allegorical image of spring, Primavera. Other key pieces among the great number on display by Botticelli in the gallery include his Pallas and the Centaur and his Annunciation of San Martino alla Scala, among others. Already a must-see spot for art-lovers in the city, the Uffizi is a museum that boasts an extraordinarily rich collection including works by the likes of Titian, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and more.
Another key Botticelli stop in Florence is the Museum of the Ospedale degli Innocenti, which hosts the first known painting made by Botticelli, dating to 1465, when he was an apprentice to Filippo Lippi. A simple copy of Lippi’s famous Lippina, it is an homage to his master and a sign of the promise of the artist that Botticelli would become.
Florence’s other famous gallery, the Accademia (where you can find Michelangelo’s beloved David) also has two Botticelli pieces to its name, his Virgin Mary with Jesus, baby St. John the Baptist and two angels and his Madonna of the Sea.
Various churches and institutions in the city also have Botticelli paintings including the Palazzo Pitti, the Church of Santa Maria Novella, and the Church of Ognissanti so, if you’re interested in the work of Botticelli, a villa in Florence is an excellent place to start.
Rome
Aside from Florence, another great cache of Botticelli’s work can be found in the Vatican and in the Sistine Chapel to be exact. Here, Botticelli contributed a series of frescoes: St. Sixtus II, Punishment of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, The Temptations of Christ, and the Trials of Moses. These works were much celebrated in his lifetime but were subsequently somewhat overshadowed by the incredible fame of Michelangelo’s frescoes for the chapel. Today, those who find a vacation rental in Rome should make a point to seek out Botticelli’s contributions while admiring this jewel box of a church and its more iconic works as they are well worth taking in as well! Also in Rome: in the Galleria Borghese, Botticelli’s charming Virgin and Child with Six Angels and the Baptist can be found and in the Palazzo Pallavicini-Rospigliosi, his Transfiguration, St. Jerome, St. Augustine.
Lombardy
Those who find a holiday rental in Lombardy and come visit the chic city of Milan will have three different museums with a Botticelli offering to pencil into their itinerary of the city, these include, the Madonna of the Book (Madonna del Libro) in the Museo Poldi Pezzoli, the Virgin and Child with Three Angels (Madonna del Padiglione) in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, and the Lamentation over the Dead Christ in the Museo Poldi Pezzoli. While in the region, you might also head to the famous foodie town of Bergamo, which is home to the Accademia Carrara, housing three works by Botticelli. These are the Portrait of Giuliano de' Medici, the Story of Virginia, and Christ Crowned with Thorns.
Other
Then, to round off your Botticelli tour of Italy, there is one more pit-stop to be made while enjoying the sun-soaked region of Campania, to Naples and the Galleria Nazionale di Capodimonte to admire Botticelli’s Virgin and Child with Two Angels.
Though mostly concentrated in the city of Florence and especially in the Uffizi Gallery, the works of Botticelli can be found and enjoyed like a treasure hunt all throughout Italy. So, if you are a major fan and want to see them all and follow his work all over the country (a great excuse to see more of gorgeous Italy) or you simply want the opportunity to take some pieces in with your own eyes, you can use our handy Botticelli guide for planning a perfect art-themed getaway in this beyond famous cultural hub!