Top 5 Art Works to see in Florence at the Galleria dell'Accademia in 2023

Italy is well known for its famous paintings and most of those paintings can be found at the Galleria dell'Accademia. If you are planning on traveling to Italy in 2023 then we highly recommend you check out the Galleria dell'Accademia. When you visit this museum you will get to see some of Italy’s greatest masterpieces from artists like Michelangelo and Pacino di Buonaguida. You can also book a tour of the gallery with MyTour by clicking the link below! But while you’re thinking about booking a tour, here are the top 5 artworks you will see at the Galleria dell'Accademia.

Accademia Gallery guided tour

5- Tree of Life, by Pacino di Buonaguida

Pacino di Buonaguida’s Tree of Life is one of the most interesting paintings in the Accademia Gallery. It is a large painting realized in tempera and gold which dates back to the early 14th century. Buonaguida depicts a typical Franciscan subject: the Genesis of creation and fall, in this case representing the Cross of Jesus as the Tree of Life. By painting the Crucifixion as the central image, he establishes the virtues of Jesus but that the Tree/Cross contains within it the entire wideness of the divine plan for redemption. You’ll be able to learn more about this remarkable painting when you book a tour.

4- Rape of the Sabine Women, by Giambologna

The Rape of the Sabine Women is one of Giambologna’s most famous masterpieces which dates back to the 16th century. This complex human vortex, which is more than 4 meters tall, seems to invite viewers to move around the statue and admire infinite details from different points of view. The original statue can be found under the balcony in Piazza della Signoria, but the plaster cast model used for the creation of the figure can be admired at the Hall of the Colossus. This sculpture is just an example of brilliant beauty and technique. But the only way to truly admire its beauty is by visiting the Accademia Gallery!

3- Miracle of the Slave, by Tintoretto

Another monumental painting that you can find at the Accademia Gallery is Miracle of the Slave. Painted in 1548 by Venetian artist Jacopo Robusti (aka Tintoretto), it was commissioned to decorate a remarkable Renaissance building in Venice called the Scuola Grande di San Marco. This painting was also one of the first major commissions for Tintoretto and is considered to be the world that established his reputation in the city. Miracle of the Slave depicts an episode in the life of Saint Mark which was a common theme in Tinoretto’s paintings. Truly a remarkable work of art.

2- Coronation of the Virgin, by Jacopo di Cione

Jacopo di Cione’s Coronation of the Virgin is an absolute masterpiece, dazzling in its preciousness, from the massive presence of gold, plus the fabrics and drapery of the detailed figures. In the scene depicted in the panel is the coronation of the Virgin surrounded by the Saints which is a symbol of the devotion of Florentines to the royal families that owned Florence at the time. Coronation of the Virgin was originally located in the former headquarters of the Mint, then relocated to the Uffizi Gallery, and finally to the Accademia Gallery where it has remained since. This painting has been very popular in Italy from the 13th to 15th centuries and into the 18th century and beyond. This panel is a unique piece in its genre, which will let you discover a lot of interesting facts about the history of Florence.

1- David, by Michelangelo

By far the most popular work of art that is located in the Accademia Gallery is Michelangelo's Statue of David. This outstanding sculpture depicts the biblical hero David before facing the giant Goliath: the tension of the muscles and the emotional involvement revealed by the intense look in a prelude of the movement makes the honed marble feel alive. Over 5 meters tall, the Statue of David is an absolute masterpiece of the Renaissance, which attracts millions of tourists from around the world. A guided tour of the Accademia Gallery (like ours) will give you an opportunity to observe the intricate anatomical details and fully understand Michelangelo's extraordinary interpretation of the David. One of the only places you can find the Statue of David is at the Accademia Gallery!