Giorgio Vasari is universally renowned as the author of the first “art history handbook.” Who hasn’t studied the opening chapters of his celebrated Lives? Yet Vasari’s contribution extends far beyond this iconic text. He was a remarkably talented artist and architect, as well as the author of lesser-known but equally captivating works such as I Ragionamenti, Le Ricordanze, and Le Invenzioni. His cultural and artistic legacy is immense, and Art-Test has had the privilege of analyzing some of his most emblematic creations.
To mark the 450th anniversary of Vasari’s death, Arezzo (IT), his hometown, has dedicated an entire year of events and exhibitions to this illustrious figure. The goal? To explore the many facets of Vasari: the scholar, the architect capable of designing and directing grand projects like the Vasari Corridor, and the painter of extraordinary inventions that continue to inspire the collective imagination.
The Theater of Virtues: A Journey Through Allegory
Among the planned events, the exhibition The Theater of Virtues stands out, focusing on Vasari’s use of allegory in his art. In a multitude of sacred and secular works, Vasari celebrated the glory of Grand Duke Cosimo I, his patron from 1550 until his death. The exhibition unfolds across two locations: the Municipal Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and the nearby Church of Sant’Ignazio.
At the heart of the exhibition lies an extraordinary archaeological artifact: the Chimera, typically housed at the Archaeological Museum in Florence. Many will recognize it from school textbooks, unaware that Vasari was the one who identified it as an Etruscan work. Discovered by chance outside the walls of Arezzo, the sculpture was initially restored by Benvenuto Cellini. A documentary enriches the experience, recounting the artifact’s story and allowing visitors to fully appreciate its timeless beauty.
Encounters with Unforgettable Works
Among the displayed masterpieces are works that Art-Test previously had the honor of studying. From the Palatine Gallery come The Temptations of Saint Jerome, whose paint layers were analyzed using chemical and physical techniques, and The Allegory of Patience, for which the preparatory underdrawing was studiedthanks to our Intravedo scanner.
The second part of the exhibition, housed in the Church of Sant’Ignazio, welcomes visitors with four monumental altarpieces. Here, another “old acquaintance” is showcased: The Adoration of the Shepherds, typically kept at Bosco Marengo. Years ago, Art-Test designed and carried out a complex diagnostic campaign for this piece, the details of which are available on our website (art-test.com).
If you have the opportunity, do not miss a visit to Arezzo on this occasion!
