FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DANTE

Rocco Forte Hotels

As the year-long calendar of events commemorating the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s death begins to roll out across Italy, we’re delighted that Florence’s renowned Uffizi Gallery has chosen to mark the occasion with a rare exhibition of drawings depicting the poet’s milestone achievement in Italian literature, ‘The Divine Comedy’.

 

The collection comprises a total of 88 sketches drawn by one of the most prominent figures in the Roman Mannerist school, painter and art theorist Federico Zuccari. Until recently, only a handful of the sketches had been exhibited publicly and have mainly been reserved for a privileged set of scholars due to the delicate nature of the material. Now, the full works have been captured digitally to allow all members of the public to browse through a virtual exhibition hosted by the Uffizi Gallery. The collection of inspiring drawings is free for everyone to enjoy; simply click the gallery to begin your virtual tour

 

One of Europe’s most celebrated medieval artists, Federico Zuccari studied under the guidance of his older brother, also a painter, Taddeo Zuccari. As he progressed, he took over the frescos in the Cupola of Santa Maria del Fiore, begun by renowned painter, architect, art historian and biographer Giorgio Vasari, famed author of 'The Lives of the Most Celebrated Painters, Sculptors and Architects’, documenting the lives of the most prominent Italian Renaissance artists including Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Titian. The book was a revolutionary analysis of artists that helped shape the foundations of art history.

 

The Divine Comedy’s three-part story narrates a pilgrimage through hell, purgatory and finally, paradise. Federico Zuccari’s detailed sketches reflect this format and are shown in a three-part series mirroring these themes. 

 

A multitude of events honouring the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death are set to continue across Italy throughout 2021, taking place in 70 towns and villages all symbolically linked in one way or other to the life and works of the influential poet. Stay tuned for more details on this series in the next feature on The Notebook.

 

 

We look forward to welcoming guests back to Hotel Savoy in Florence soon.

Do join our Rocco Forte Friends programme in the meantime to enjoy exclusive benefits to inspire your next adventure.


You may also like

A Sicilian Jewel: Our New Opening in Noto

In an unspoilt, sunny corner of southeastern Sicily, Noto is a Baroque masterpiece. Framed by rolling hills and the blue Mediterranean, this UNESCO World Heritage Town was rebuilt in radiant style after the devastating earthquake of 1693. Honey-hued palazzi and ornate churches now rise from the landscape like echoes of a bygone era. In this captivating setting, Rocco Forte Hotels will unveil Palazzo Castelluccio, a meticulously restored 18th-century residence that offers an intimate connection to Sicily’s golden age.

Italy in the Renaissance: A Story of Art, Wealth, and Influence

With properties in each city, and its support of the exhibition ‘Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504’ at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Rocco Forte Hotels has created a special 1504 tour to help guests revisit the Renaissance through a series of unforgettable experiences.

A Set-Jetting Journey for Families

The stories of childhood have a way of staying with us, their characters and worlds etched into our imaginations. Through the magic of cinema, these tales come alive, transforming real locations into places of wonder. For families, set-jetting is an invitation to step into these worlds - not just as spectators but as part of the story itself.