450th Anniversary of Michelangelo's Death

Today and all year Italy honors the life and death of her most beloved artist

450 years ago today, on February 18th 1564, Michelangelo Buonarroti died at the age of 88. It is said that just three days before his death, he had been working on his Rondanini Pietà.

In Florence there will be celebrations to honor the great Renaissance artist, and various exhibitions will be held all year long.

Parade From Piazza della Signoria to Santa Croce

Today at 3:00pm, a parade will begin in Piazza Signoria, en route to the church of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo’s tomb is. In Piazza Santa Croce at 3:30pm there will be celebrations in Michelangelo’s honor.

New Rooms in the Uffizi Gallery

Two new rooms in the Uffizi have been revealed, and will be open to the public starting today. The curators of the Uffizi Gallery have put plenty of thought into rooms 33 and 34, considered of particular importance because of their position preceding the Sala di Michelangelo. Room 33 is titled "Ancient Greek Portraits" and showcases classical marble sculptures. Room 34, called "The Antique and the Garden of San Marco," attempts to recreate in the viewer the feeling of the original Garden of San Marco, created by Lorenzo the Magnificent as a space for promising young artists.

Together, these two rooms show us the foundation that made Michelangelo’s genius possible. From the rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman Achievements, and the patronage of Lorenzo the Magnificent in Renaissance Florence, came an artist who defined an age, and pushed the boundaries of artistic achievement.

Art Exhibitions

In addition to the rooms in the Uffizi there will be a variety of other exhibitions throughout Florence and beyond to celebrate Michelangelo:

Getting Reacquainted with Michelangelo

From February 18 - May 18 at the Accademia Gallery

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/mostra.php?t=52f3b49cf1c3bc6802000000

The Power of the Gaze

January 8th - March 15th at the Medici Chapels

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/mostre/mostra.php?t=52cd81f7f1c3bcfc070000e2

The Relationship between Michelangelo and Vasari in Letters & Drawings

February - April 2014 at the Casa Vasari Museum

The Power of Legend: The Projects for the Façade of San Lorenzo in Florence

March 18 - June 2 at Casa Buonarroti

http://www.casabuonarroti.it/it

Michelangelo and the 20th Century

18 June - 20 October at Casa Buonarroti

http://www.casabuonarroti.it/it/

For a full list (in Italian) of events and exhibitions taking place in Florence and all over Italy this year in honor of the the 450th Anniversary of the Death of Michelangelo, visit the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno website: http://www.aadfi.it/?p=20

If you're coming to Italy this year, take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these incredible exhibitions celebrating the life and death of arguably Italy’s greatest artist! For anyone coming to Florence we suggest the Michelangelo in Florence tour to follow in the footsteps of the great artist and see the profound mark that he left on the city.