Uncommon museums of Florence #2: Stefano Bardini Museum

Uncommon museums of Florence #2: Stefano Bardini Museum

PHOTOS & SPANISH VERSION BELOW

Stefano Bardini (1854-1922) was a prominent Italian antiquary who decided to transform his collection into a museum and donate it to the city of Florence. The building, a magnificent palace eclectic in style, where the museum has its headquarters, was acquired and restored by Bardini in 1881, in order to be used for his antiquarian trade activity. The antiquary modified the structure adding new gates and stairs, used medieval and Renaissance stones, chimneys, in addition, he affixed painted coffered ceilings. Bardini transformed the old building — the former church and convent of San Gregorio della Pace — into a wonderful neo-Renaissance villa, where, besides the exhibition halls, there were workshops so that the pieces were restored before selling them.

The building was closed for restoration for almost a decade to be reopened in April 2009. The museum hosts an eclectic collection of more than 3,600 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, armours, musical instruments, ceramics, coins, medals, and antique furniture. Two showrooms on the ground floor are dedicated to the history of Florence and include some of the most emblematic creations for the streets of the city: Pietro Tacca´s Il Cinghiale from the Porcellino Fountain, and Il Diavolino by Giambologna.
Museo Stefano Bardini – Via dei Renai 37, 50125 Florence


Stefano Bardini (1854-1922), mítico anticuario italiano, decidió transformar su colección en museo y donarlo a Florencia. El edificio, un imponente palacio de gusto ecléctico donde hoy tiene su sede el museo, fue adquirido y restaurado por Bardini en 1881 para destinarlo a su actividad de comercio de antigüedades. El anticuario modificó la estructura utilizando elementos como portones, escaleras, piedras medievales y renacentistas, chimeneas y escaleras, así como artesonados pintados. Bardini transformó la antigua construcción —antes iglesia y convento de San Gregorio della Pace— en una estupenda mansión neorrenacentista donde, además de los salones de exposición, había talleres en los cuales se restauraban las obras de arte antes de venderlas.

El edificio fue cerrado por restauración durante casi una década y reabrió sus puertas en abril de 2009. El museo alberga una colección ecléctica de más de 3600 obras, entre pinturas, esculturas, armaduras, instrumentos musicales, cerámicas, monedas, medallas y muebles antiguos. Dos salas de la planta baja están dedicadas a Florencia y a su historia, con algunas obras emblemáticas de las calles de la ciudad: Il Cinghiale de Pietro Tacca de la fuente del Porcellino, e Il Diavolino de Giambologna.
Museo Stefano Bardini – Via dei Renai 37, 50125 Florencia

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Paco Neumann

Paco Neumann is a journalist, photographer, proofreader, flâneur and perpetual amateur currently living in between Florence, Berlin, Paris and Tenerife. He´s been a regular contributor to fashion, art, trend and lifestyle magazines and worked for news, advertising and communication agencies

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