Orsanmichele (Florence, Italy) : Close view of the entry bay, looking up

Creator:

Arnolfo di Cambio, ca. 1265-ca. 1302
Talenti, Francesco, born 1300-1310, died after 1369

Published/Created:

Florence, Tuscany, Italy
1337-1404

Date Depicted:

5/1/1997
500 AD - 1499 AD

Materials:

glazed terra cotta
stone

Notes:

The church of Orsanmichele, a converted grain hall, marks the site where the nuns of S Michele originally had their convent and garden. The early history of the site shows that it assumed a number of different functions, both civic and ecclesiastical. The nuns ran a flourishing wool shop there, renowned both within and outside Florence, and during the late 12th century the building was used as a meeting-place for the governmental bodies that emerged during the early years of the comune. The dual character of Orsanmichele continued throughout the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The Arte della Lana (wool-workers' guild) was originally entrusted with sole responsibility for rebuilding the loggia, but it was later agreed that all the guilds should share this task. The architect is not documented. Vasari believed it to have been Taddeo Gaddi, working to a design by Arnolfo di Cambio; according to others Francesco Talenti, Neri di Fioravante ( fl 1340-1384) and Benci di Cione (d 1388) were responsible. It was not, however, until 1404, when the new building was completed, that the Signoria issued a firm decree to the guilds that the exterior niches should be completed. Seven major guilds and five of the fourteen minor ones were allotted niches. They were charged with financing and supervising the production of tabernacles and figures of their patron saints, in bronze for the major guilds and marble for the minor ones, which were to be finished within the space of ten years. The sculptures are by many of the best Florentine Renaissance artists, including Nanni di Banco, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Lucca della Robbia, Donatello and Verrocchio.

Topics:

Architecture -- Italy -- 14th century -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Renaissance

Culture:

Italian

Accession Number:

1A2-I-F-O-B1

Genre:

architecture (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

architectural exteriors; business, commerce and trade; saints construction buildings; religious buildings; churches

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Base Collection

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
5/1/1997

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4152

OID:

10094994

PID:

digcoll:1858588