24 Nov Acquisition and restoration of the cusps of the Ardinghelli Polyptych

Acquisition and restoration of the cusps of the Ardinghelli Polyptych
by Giovanni Toscani, Announcing Angel and Annunciated Virgin
Monday, 24 October 2022, 5.00 pm

Speakers:
Cecilie Hollberg, Director of the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence
Andrea De Marchi, University of Florence, Sagas Department
Rossella Lari, Restorer

On Monday 24 October, at 5.00 pm, the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence presents the restoration of the two precious pinnacles of the Ardinghelli Polyptych, depicting the Announcing Angel and the Annunciated Virgin by Giovanni di Francesco Toscani, purchased by the Museum in 2021. Cecilie Hollberg, Director of the Galleria, Professor Andrea De Marchi, from the University of Florence, and Rossella Lari, who took care of the restoration of the cusps, will talk about it.
The two works by the Florentine painter recompose part of the fifteenth-century polyptych that was placed on the altar of the Ardinghelli Chapel in the Santa Trinita church in Florence, and divided over time.

“Parts of the Polyptych are already in the Galleria” says Cecilie Hollberg. “The central pinnacle with the Crucifixion has been present in our collections since 1855, while one of the sections of the predella, depicting the Stigmata of St. Francis and Miracle of St. Nicholas of Bari, has been here since 1933. The central section, with the Adoration of the Magi, is kept, as far as we know, in a private collection. It would be nice to be able to reassemble all the parts of the Polyptych. I believe that researching the dispersed artistic heritage is one of the important tasks of a museum – especially if it belongs to MiC – the Ministry of Culture – both through the antiques market and, as on this occasion, thanks to private individuals.”