Nel segno dei Medici

The exhibition itinerary starts with a tribute to the figure of Ferdinando I de' Medici and that of his wife Christine of Lorraine. Under their reign, in fact, the original nucleus of a relevant collection of relics was formed and later became one of the largest and richest in Europe.

For the first time, the few specimens that survived the destruction of the sumptuous devotional furnishings made on the Medici initiative are brought together on the occasion of the exhibition.

Works of excellent quality from the workshops of skilled goldsmiths active for the Florentine court, among which Odoardo Vallet and Jonas Falck stand out. Particular attention is paid to Christine of Lorraine and Mary Magdalene of Austria: animated by a deep religious spirit, they promoted numerous donations destined for the main Marian shrines in Florence and the Grand Duchy.

Finally, the exhibition offers an in-depth analysis of the prestigious collection of Grand ducal reliquaries preserved in the Museum of the Medici Chapels.