Must See Artworks in The Uffizi Gallery Florence
Uffizi Gallery : One of the World’s Most Important Art Galleries
The history of the Uffizi, the famous gallery in Florence
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence has been housed in this magnificent palace since the late 1500s; built by Giorgio Vasari and later completed by Buontalenti and Parigi, commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici. Majestic and imposing, it stands between the Lungarno and Piazza della Signoria, where the old Baldracca neighborhood once stood.
On the ground floor, the grand duke arranged for the thirteen magistracies to be located, while the upper floors housed administrative offices and artisan workshops responsible for producing precious crafts.
During the reign of Grand Duke Francesco I, the palace’s top floor was transformed into a museum, where the great works of art from the rich Medici collections were gathered. His successor, Ferdinando I, moved the portraits from the Palazzo Vecchio to this location, now displayed along the corridors. These portraits depict prominent figures from the political and religious panorama and various members of the Medici family, starting with Francesco I himself.
Over the years, the palace’s ceilings were adorned with grotesque decorations, and the corridor facing the Arno River was decorated with scenes and biblical characters. A foundry was opened, and under the guidance of Cosimo III, some of the most valuable specimens from his personal statuary collection in Rome were transferred here.
With the end of the Medici principality, the Lorraine family reached an agreement with Anna Maria de’ Medici in 1737 to ensure that the artworks collected by her family over the years would remain in Florence, including those of the Uffizi Gallery. Pietro Leopoldo of Lorraine opened the palace to the public. He commissioned the reorganization of the artworks, supervised by writer Giuseppe Belli Bencivenni, and created twenty-eight sculptures depicting key figures from Tuscany’s political panorama, starting from the Middle Ages.
During the early 1900s, the Uffizi Gallery gradually transformed into a painting gallery by relocating statues, renovating rooms, and rearranging artworks. In 2011, the historical floor of the Uffizi Gallery was connected to the first-floor rooms with a staircase designed by architect Natalini.
From here you can download a Map of the Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery: Main Rooms and Artworks
Few museums can evoke such wonder. The kaleidoscopic collection at the Uffizi Gallery includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints from the Middle Ages to the present day, making it one of the largest in the world. The historic palace offers two exhibition floors divided into approximately one hundred thematic rooms, among which the following stand out for their importance and richness of content:
Giotto and the 13th century
Giotto and the 13th century. The Byzantine Maestà in Room 2 carries the seeds of innovation. Giotto’s volumes forcefully break free from the two-dimensional style of the 13th century, laying the foundations for Renaissance art, as seen in the Madonna of Ognissanti.
The painter reprises the themes of the stylistic revolution initiated by Cimabue: characters who reveal for the first time a three-dimensional body and soul, as in the Madonna of Santa Trinita. Duccio di Buoninsegna, like Giotto, studied Cimabue extensively and enriched his artistic legacy with a Gothic touch while remaining anchored to the Romanesque canons evident in his Madonna Rucellai.
Giotto – Maestà di Ognissanti – Uffizi – Firenze
International Gothic
International Gothic. Gentile da Fabriano introduces visitors to fully developed Gothic canons between the 14th and 15th centuries, which can be explored in Rooms 5 and 6. This art form, exemplified by the Adoration of the Magi, one of its most enchanting pictorial expressions, and the Coronation of the Virgin by Lorenzo Monaco, adds emotional solid connotations to the 13th-century style. It utilizes dark tones and a strong geometric structure reminiscent of the architectural works of the time.
Gentile da Fabriano
Gentile da Fabriano. Room 7 is dedicated to Gentile da Fabriano, as he represents a transition between the Gothic and the Renaissance. You can find works by Domenico Veneziano, Fra Angelico, Paolo Uccello, Masaccio, and Masolino inside.
DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour
Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli
Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour
David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Filippo Lippi O.Carm also known as Lippo Lippi
Filippo Lippi. The Renaissance aura, fully manifested in the works of artists like Filippo Lippi, pervades the viewer’s gaze upon entering Room 8, where some of the most iconic paintings of the late 15th century are displayed.
The ethereal and gentle gaze of Lippi’s Madonna and Child with Two Angels is born from the genius of the artist, who portrayed his beloved Lucrezia in this painting. The austere and regal portraits of the Dukes of Urbino by Piero della Francesca are also showcased here. Of significant impact is the Adoration of the Magi by Filippino, painted as a substitute for Leonardo da Vinci’s unfinished Adoration.
Sandro Botticelli
Botticelli. Rooms 10 and 15, perhaps the most crowded in the Uffizi Gallery, house two iconic works by Sandro Botticelli: The Birth of Venus and Primavera (Spring). The Birth of Venus, along with Michelangelo’s David, is one of the most commonly found souvenirs in the shops of the historic center and one of the most beloved paintings in the entire museum.
What better symbol of Florence to see than The Birth of Venus? It depicts the myth of the goddess emerging fully grown from the sea foam, standing on a seashell. On the left, Zephyrus, accompanied by his wife, guides her with a warm breeze, and on the right, one of the Hours approaches to cover her with a floral cloak.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo. Room 15 is dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci and showcases some of his early works, including The Baptism of Christ, painted in collaboration with Verrocchio. Verrocchio was not only the master of the brilliant painter and scientist but also of Botticelli and Perugino, whose Pietà is displayed in this room.
The Annunciation, the unfinished Adoration of the Magi, and works by various artists with styles reminiscent of Leonardo are also featured here.
Michelangelo and the Florentines
Michelangelo and the Florentines. Room 35 of the Uffizi Gallery houses the Tondo Doni, a work by the great Michelangelo Buonarroti, considered one of the precursors of Mannerism. Florence’s art drew immense inspiration from the dynamic lines and colors of this painting. Therefore, many works following Buonarroti’s style are displayed in the same room, along with the Roman sculpture known as the Sleeping Ariadne.
Andrea del Sarto
Andrea del Sarto. In Room 58, you will find the painting that captivated Ferdinando de’ Medici: the Madonna delle Arpie by the classical artist Andrea del Sarto, master and inspiration for a group of artists referred to as the “eccentrics.”
Raphael
Raphael. In Room 66 of the Uffizi, you will encounter Raphael‘s famous Madonna of the Goldfinch, several portraits of important political figures from the time and his self-portrait.
Titian
Titian. The Venus of Urbino welcomes visitors to Room 83, dedicated to Titian, with her eternal youth, pearly skin, and gentle gaze that characterizes her. Next to her is a small dog, a recurring subject in some of the Venetian painter’s works, including several portraits and Flora, another masterpiece that showcases a wisely chosen color palette developed on the canvas with an innovative technique, earning Titian the title of “father of tonalism.”
DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour
Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli
Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour
David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Caravaggio
Caravaggio. In Room 90 of the Uffizi Gallery, visitors will encounter the most enigmatic and fascinating painter in art history: Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio. His Sacrifice of Isaac sets the stage for the modern artistic movement, revealing a depth of humanity that his predecessors only hinted at. The painting depicts one of the most dramatic scenes from the biblical story: a father preparing to sacrifice his son to prove his loyalty to God, only to be stopped at the last moment by an angel’s hand.
The interplay of light and shadow immerses the viewer in the raw reality frozen by the brush, making it vivid and eloquent. It tells a story of struggle and total devotion through the wrinkles on Abraham’s forehead, the resigned despair on Isaac’s contorted face, and the surprise of the two men who witness the event. The gentle gaze of the ram, slightly troubled, appears to be aware of its fate.
Such is the power of Caravaggio. Next to this invaluable pearl two works are dating from when the artist’s artistic maturity was gradually forming: Bacchus and the Shield with the Head of Medusa, from 1598. In the same room is Artemisia Gentileschi with her Judith Beheading Holofernes, offering visitors a chilling scene illuminated with the expertise that only Caravaggio’s followers can.
must see artworks in the Uffizi Gallery Florence – Virtual Tour of Uffizi Gallery
Some of the most famous sculptures to see in the Gallery
If you think that admiring the invaluable collection of paintings in the Uffizi Gallery is enough to make your visit to Florence a unique experience, wait until you see the statues! Here, we describe some of the most exciting works. Our advice, however, is to keep your eyes wide open – beauty is around every corner.
The exquisite Uffizi Gallery collection includes pieces of incomparable beauty, among which stands out the Niobe Group, located on the second floor in a dedicated room. The legend of this dramatic sculpture tells the story of a woman punished by Latona for mocking her, as she was the mother of fourteen children, despite the fertility goddess having only two children.
The brother’s Apollo and Athena are then instructed by their mother to kill the generous progeny in the presence of the bewildered Niobe, who, in her grief, turns into a block of marble.
Discovered with the Niobe, the Wrestlers are characterized by the perfect anatomy of the two individuals engaged in an endless battle, also sculpted during the Roman era.
DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour
Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli
Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour
David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Located in the Tribune, along with the Wrestlers, are the Sleeping Eros and the Arotino. The Venus de’ Medici, sculpted in the 1st century BC, inspired Botticelli‘s The Birth of Venus: note the modest pose, even though her gaze wanders elsewhere.
Another iconic group is the Laocoön by Baccio Bandinelli, a copy of the sculpture housed in the Vatican Museums. The fate of this priest is even more tragic, as his legend is linked to Homer’s Iliad: as he approached the wooden horse to warn the Trojans of the Greeks’ deception, he is impaled by a spear, attracting two sea serpents released by the goddess Athena. The man dies, crushed in the coils of the two beasts, along with his sons.
Bartolomeo Ammannati’s Pregnant Mars proudly leads a massive army. The bulging muscles of this bronze sculpture, his menacing gaze, and the twist of his torso make it an authentic masterpiece, created to embody the values underlying the rule of the Medici during the time of Grand Duke Cosimo I.
Another must-see at the Uffizi Gallery is the San Lorenzo, sculpted by a young Bernini. The martyrdom of the saint, which occurred during the reign of Emperor Valerian, is portrayed in a reclined position with his eyes fixed on the sky, reminiscent of Bernini’s later masterpiece, the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, where the saint’s facial features can be observed, characterized by a tragically absorbed expression.
In Room 38, the Sleeping Hermaphrodite reclined on its bed in a pose that reveals its dual sexuality. This symbolic sculpture, of which several copies were made, represents the union of two subjects well-known in ancient Greece and also depicted in Roman sculpture: Venus and Dionysus.
The crater known as the Medici Vase represents Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, sacrificed deceitfully to Artemis, who, angered by an offense committed by the king, summons a strong wind over the ships ready to set sail for Troy. The girl is depicted in a contrite pose in front of a goddess statue, surrounded by Greek soldiers.
Pietro Tenerani’s Abandoned Psyche, from the 19th century, which you can admire in Room 1, portrays one of the critical moments in the fable of Cupid and Psyche, taken from Apuleius’s Metamorphoses.
The god Cupid, betrayed by his young wife who spied on his appearance against his will, flies away, leaving her alone. The beautiful Psyche, the personification of human spirituality, is represented by Tenerani in all her softness, with delicate butterfly wings that have become her symbol. The word psyche, “soul,” can also be translated as “butterfly.”
Curiosities about the Uffizi Gallery
If you have seen the famous TV series “Masters of Florence,” you probably already know some of these, but here are some curiosities and lesser-known facts about the Uffizi Gallery:
In the past, when only ancient sculptures were displayed, the Uffizi was called the “Gallery of Statues.” Cosimo the Elder was the first to start the collection, and Lorenzo the Magnificent greatly enriched it. Some pieces were looted after the exile of Piero, Lorenzo‘s son.
The Uffizi Gallery is part of a larger museum complex called the “Gallerie degli Uffizi di Firenze,” which also includes the Vasari Corridor, mentioned in the article about the Ponte Vecchio, and the Boboli Gardens.
The Uffizi Gallery rooms were decorated with specific colors based on the themes of the artworks. In 2011, the “Blue Rooms” was inaugurated, dedicated to foreign painters from the 16th century, including Goya, Chardin, Rubens, Liotard, and Van Dyck, whose origins were Spanish, Flemish, Dutch (particularly from Delft), and French. 2012 the “Red Rooms” were established, housing works by Andrea Del Sarto, Raphael, Bronzino, and Hellenistic artists.
In 2013, the “Yellow Rooms” – whose color was chosen to evoke the original context where most paintings were displayed – were dedicated to Florence artists who worked in the 17th century and Caravaggisti.
Observing Botticelli‘s works, you will notice that some women depicted therein closely resemble Venus. The painter had a muse in Florence, Simonetta Vespucci, who was so beautiful that she deserved a prominent place in his production and even made Giuliano, the brother of Lorenzo de’ Medici, fall in love with her.
DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour
Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli
Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour
David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Uffizi Gallery Florence: Opening hours, tickets, and tours
Are you ready to visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? Here are some helpful information for you:
The cost of a single ticket is € 25.00; a reduced ticket is € 3.00 and with a reservation € 4.00. This Uffizi Gallery ticket also grants access to the National Archaeological Museum and the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Museum.
The reservation can be made:
Online on the B-ticket website,
Call the number 055294883; from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM from Monday to Friday and from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday.
In the city, at Porta 2 of the Uffizi Gallery, at the ticket office of Palazzo Pitti, at the ticket office of the Archaeological Museum, at the sales point of the Orsanmichele Museum, and any other state museum in Florence.
Free entrance is granted to:
Minors under 18 years old,
Persons with disabilities and their family/caregivers,
Journalists registered with the Italian National Association,
University students or professors,
MIBACT staff (Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism),
ICOM members (International Council of Museums),
Operators in volunteer associations.
For reservations and further information, please visit the Official Uffizi Gallery website.
How to take a virtual tour of the Uffizi Gallery
If you can’t visit Florence and the Uffizi Gallery, consider taking a virtual tour! You can book various virtual tours on the Uffizi Gallery official website, including:
“A riveder le stelle,” inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy,
“The Portinari Triptych” by Hugo van der Goes, based on three Flemish paintings displayed in the Blue Rooms,
“Wright of Derby, Art, and Science,” based on the English painter who depicted the Industrial Revolution in great detail,
“On Being Present,” focusing on Renaissance and post-Renaissance paintings depicting characters of African origin,
“Rinascenza,” a journey to discover the rich collection of sculptures.
Reviews from ordinary people about the Uffizi Gallery
It is well-established that the Uffizi Gallery is a must-visit among the things to see in Florence, but let’s skip further introductions! Here are tourists’ opinions, which can confirm it better than a thousand other words. You can also read many more reviews on the TripAdvisor website on the dedicated page for the Uffizi Gallery.
DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour
Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli
Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour
David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Where is the Uffizi Gallery located?
The Uffizi Gallery is located on Lungarno, so reaching it on foot in about ten minutes is advisable.
Starting from Santa Maria Novella Station, the main reference point in the area, you can: take Via degli Avelli immediately after Piazza della Stazione, then proceed through Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, Via Belle Donne, Via della Spada, Via de’ Tornabuoni, and finally Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli. Continuing straight, you will find yourself on Lungarno degli Archibusieri and Lungarno Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, where you can see the palace on your left.
Alternatively, you can continue to Piazza dell’Unità Italiana immediately after Piazza della Stazione, proceed on Via Panzani, take Via de’ Cerretani, and turn towards Piazza di San Giovanni to the right. Continuing on Via Roma, you will reach Piazza della Repubblica, where you will continue along Via Camalia, Via Por Santa Maria, and from there, you will find yourself on Lungarno degli Archibusieri.
Turning right after Piazza San Giovanni, you can continue towards Via dei Calzaiuoli until you reach Piazza della Signoria, then go left, leading to Piazzale degli Uffizi, which leads to Lungarno Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici.
Uffizi Address
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI
DISCOVER THE ART OF FLORENCE WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE
Duration: 2 hours, Private Tour
Uffizi Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Embark on an interactive treasure hunt at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in Europe. This tour is perfect for all ages and allows you to discover Renaissance masterpieces as our expert guide unveils the secrets behind iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli
Duration: 1.5 hours, Private Tour
David & Accademia Gallery Florence Private Tour with Local Guide
Visit the Accademia Gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance artworks and statues, including the iconic masterpiece of Michelangelo’s David. With the help of an enthusiastic local guide, your experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Uffizi Gallery Virtual Tour and Highlights 4K HDR, Florence, Italy (Galleria degli Uffizi)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Uffizi Uffizi Gallery Florence
What are the different types of artworks housed in the Uffizi Gallery?
Paintings (mainly from the Renaissance), antique sculptures, black-and-white drawings and etchings by famous artists, and iconic works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci. These are some of the works in the Uffizi Gallery.
Who are some of the most famous artists associated with the Uffizi Gallery?
The Uffizi Gallery is home to a vast collection of art, including works from many of the most famous artists of the Renaissance period. Some of the most notable artists in Uffizi Gallery’s collection include Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Vasari, Caravaggio and Michelangelo.
How many pieces of art are in the Uffizi Gallery?
There are over 100 rooms and over 2,200 works of art on display at the Uffizi Gallery. However, the number of paintings on display may vary depending on the time of year and current exhibitions.
Does Uffizi museum have a dress code?
It is appropriate to wear clothing appropriate to the museum’s formal setting. (for example, visiting the museum in a bathing costume or skimpy clothing and wearing wedding dresses, period costumes, or any other fancy dress undignified for such places is considered inappropriate).
Can you bring a purse into the Uffizi Gallery?
The Uffizi Gallery allows visitors to bring only small backpacks and handbags with them.
Can you take photos in Uffizi?
YES! You can now take photos inside the Uffizi Gallery since July 2014.
How much time do you need at Uffizi?
A visit to the Uffizi Gallery is recommended to take about 3 hours in order to fully appreciate the essential works of art inside the gallery.
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