Uffizi Galleries acquires preparatory sketch of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere by Giuseppe Bezzuoli

Another new acquisition for the Uffizi Galleries: the preparatory sketch by nineteenth-century Romantic artist Giuseppe Bezzuoli (Florence, 1784 - Fiesole, 1855) for the painting Giovanni dalle Bande Nere al passaggio dell’Adda on display in the Gallery of Modern Art in the Pitti Palace.

Bezzuoli, already over 60 years old, made the painting in 1852, a few years before his death in 1855; of very high quality, the sketch is a valuable testimony to the artist’s method of operation, as it allows us to compare the stages of execution of the painting depicting Giovanni dalle Bande Nere. In fact, the sketch has many differences from the painting: one of them the absence of the figure of Leo X.

“The historical subject chosen, taken from the life of Giovanni de’ Medici written by Gian Girolamo Rossi, is approached with a pathos and narrative construct worthy of the best Romantic tradition, which at that date, however, was lingering on the twilight path. In fact, shortly thereafter began the experiments of the new generation of Macchiaioli painters, who rejected history painting and devoted themselves to themes drawn from everyday experience,” said the director of the Uffizi Galleries, Eike Schmidt.

Diagnostic investigations are now underway on the sketch in preparation for the major monographic exhibition Giuseppe Bezzuoli (1789-1855). A Great Protagonist of Romantic Painting to be held at the Uffizi from April 2 to July 31, 2020. In the Gallery of Modern Art in the Pitti Palace, starting next week, it will also be possible to admire the very modern and disturbing Eve Tempted by the Serpent, a large canvas by the artist purchased in 2018.

Image: Giuseppe Bezzuoli, Preparatory sketch for the painting Giovanni delle Bande Nere al passaggio dell’Adda (c. 1852; oil on canvas, 86.5 x 113.5 cm)

Uffizi Galleries acquires preparatory sketch of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere by Giuseppe Bezzuoli

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