Palazzo Vecchio Exhibit: Prince of Dreams; The Medici's Joseph Tapestries by Pontormo and Bronzino
Medici tapestries depicting the stories of Joseph as told in Genesis are home once again, after over 150 years. This exhibit in Palazzo Vecchio (Prince of Dreams; The Medici's Joseph Tapestries by Pontormo and Bronzino) reunites the 20 tapestries (arazzi) commissioned and devised by Cosimo I and made in Florence in the 16th century. Flemish artists Jan Rost and Nicolas Karcher wove the tapestries, following designs by Bronzino, Jacopo Pontormo and Francesco Salivate.
Cosimo de Medici was especially fond of the story of Joseph, because he found his story was a mirror to the ups and downs of the Medici family. Joseph was able to overcome adversities thanks to his rare intellectual abilities to pursue a brilliant political career and to gain a powerful position.
The tapestries, stretch 6 meters in height and the entire set measuring over 400 square meters, originally adorned the walls of the Sala de' Dugento of the Palazzo Vecchio for over 300 years. In 1882, ten of the tapestries were taken to Rome for display in the official residence of the president of the Italian Republic. Twenty seven years of restoration work has been conducted on the tapestries, using only needle and thread as tools. With this exhibit, the tapestries are again on display in the room for which they were originally created.
These tapestries represent one of the greatest work of tapestry made in Italy during the Renaissance.
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| Joseph and Jacob reunited |
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| Joseph interpreting the dream about the cows |
Absolutely amazing. I just signed a petition requesting that they remain in Palazzo Vecchio where they were intended to be, for the place for which they were commissioned. They should be together!!!!! Beautiful photography.
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