A joint exhibition at the Galleria dell'Accademia and the Museo Horne in Florence charts the conventions, ceremonies and expectations of marriage among the upper classes of the fifteenth century in the city.
The exhibits are primarily works of art which would have decorated the marital bedroom, in particular headboards and chests. They would have been commissioned at the time of the marriage.
The works depict the journey of a marriage from the exchange of the engagement contract to the ceremony and banquet to the bride's entry into her husband's home. Scenes from the Bible, myth and contemporary literature also represent the virtues, or expectations of behaviour, in a marriage, particularly those for the bride who, above all, was expected to obey and be patient. At the Accademia there is also a section devoted to the family: this consists of pictures of the patriarchs of great families and these would have reminded the bride of her duty to procreate. The famous Cassone Adimari, a chest painted by Masaccio's brother, Giovanni di Ser Giovanni, “Lo Scheggia”, is also on display.
The Horne Museum is displaying a collection of painted chests which belonged to its founder plus other works on the theme of Renaissance marriage on loan from private and public collections.
Useful information
Virtù d'Amore – Pittura nuziale nel quattrocento fiorentino [The Virtues of Love – Nuptial Painting in XV Century Florence] is at the Galleria dell'Accademia and the Museo Horne until 1st November.
Opening times:
Galleria dell'Accademia
Tuesday – Sunday, 08.15 – 18.30
Entrance fee: €10.00
Museo Horne
Monday – Saturday, 0900 – 13.00
Closed Sundays and holidays.
Entrance fee: €6.00
