The church of Ognissanti, begun in 1251 was part of the monastery complex of Umiliati, Lombard order that arrived in Florence in 1239.
Although their rule was aproved by Pope Honorius III, the order was part of poverty movements near heresy. The congregation Umiliati emerged as a secular men and women, dedicated to poverty and evangelical perfection, but especially at work, which was an integral part of religious life, primarily engaged in the production of wool and glass.
In Florence Umiliati first settled outside the city, then into the church of Santa Lucia, gradually extending their properties to understand an oratorio on the Borgo, where they build their church Omnium Sanctorum ad honorem and the convent, the complex was completed in 1260.
The Umiliati, for their dedication and probity of the lay brothers and sisters, gained a reputation in Florence and began to collect works of art in its simple church. To the high altar Giotto painted his famous Madonna and Child with angels or Madona of Ogissanti (Maestá di Ognissanti), now in the Uffizi, around 1310.
But the Madonna di Ognissanti isn't the unique oeuvre of Giotto, for example there is the Dormitio Virginis della Gemäldegalerie di Berlino, and the crucifix which today remains in his home in Florence and was painted with the collaboration of the unknown personality "Parente di Giotto".
Paola Bracco has worked since 2002 on the restoration of Giotto's Crucifix of the Church of Ognissanti, Florence, one of the works of the artist who was accused by Dante of outshine to Cimabue with his Maestá. Started in 2002, the majestic tempera on panel realised by Giotto and his workshop around 1310-1320 has been came to the light again. First on the tramezzo (partition) of the church and then kept in the sacristy of the church of Ognissanti becoming invisible to most, its many precious details on the pictorial surface were also hidden from centuries of bad restorations, smoke of candles and dust. After years of hard working, the bright colors are appearing, show us how Giotto embodied of majesty and extraordinary beauty.
Giotto's crucifix "torna a casa" next week. The inauguration will be on 6 November. The crucifix will be placed in the transept of the church, and no longer in the sacristy, so that everyone will be able to appreciate its beauty and its incredible expressive values.
Hi there
ReplyDeleteHow about upsating your tasks, what did you say the last time we met, sorry can´t remeber!
Cheers,
Jenny