In the footsteps of Artemisia

For the past fourteen years art historian and cultural curator Sara Papini has guided visitors through Florence’s abundant artistic treasures, but in recent years her focus has deepened on one extraordinary Baroque painter - Artemisia Gentileschi. “She was a seventeenth-century woman who, through remarkable talent and determination, managed to establish herself in a world almost entirely dominated by men” says Papini.

Florence is often framed through its Renaissance masters - Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo - yet Artemisia brought a new language to the city. Her canvases carry figures alive with expression and women rendered with unflinching authenticity. “My guests are often struck by the sheer power radiating from her paintings,” Sara notes. “Even outside of dramatic contexts, her characters capture the viewer’s eye through their authenticity and unmistakable identity.”

The tour begins at Hotel Savoy, on Piazza della Repubblica - from this central address, steps from the Duomo and the city’s most storied streets, it is only a short walk to our first destination, Casa Buonarroti.

Casa Buonarroti

Tucked away on Via Ghibellina, Casa Buonarroti was once home to Michelangelo’s family. Among early works by Michelangelo himself and richly frescoed ceilings hangs Artemisia’s Allegory of Inclination, painted for Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger, the famed artist’s great-nephew. Sara pauses before it, her favourite moment of the tour. “It celebrates the natural talent attributed to Michelangelo - the very inclination towards the arts - that I also recognise in Artemisia herself. She chose to embody this allegory in the form of a beautiful woman with her own features, a striking testament to her vision.” In this quiet setting, away from the city’s crowds, Artemisia’s presence feels both intimate and profound.

Palazzo Pitti

The narrative broadens at the Palatine Gallery inside Palazzo Pitti. Once the residence of the Medici, its gilded halls hold Artemisia’s St. Mary Magdalen, a Baroque canvas that stands out amid Renaissance giants. With its charged light and rare female perspective, it commands attention not as a footnote in a male canon, but as a central voice.

“This tour is entirely dedicated to Artemisia,” Sara explains. “It explores not only her artistic achievements but also the historical and social context of seventeenth-century Florence. Few visitors are familiar with Artemisia Gentileschi, and the Baroque era itself is less represented here than the Renaissance, which makes this journey particularly compelling.”

Florence is filled with stories, but through Sara’s eyes Artemisia’s feels singular - defiant, enduring, and profoundly human. 

Bar Artemisia

The  final step bridges centuries. The tour concludes where it began, at Hotel Savoy, where Bar Artemisia reimagines her legacy for the present day. Sculptural lighting and dramatic frescoes set a powerful stage. The mural by Adam Ellis - inspired by Artmesia and her contemporary, Caravaggio - celebrates women, wine, and rebellion, with a surprising nod to modernity. 

“When I first heard about the opening of Bar Artemisia, I remember smiling with a mix of satisfaction and affection,” Sara says. “It is wonderful to see her celebrated not only in museums but in a convivial space at the heart of Florence.”

Here, the aperitivo becomes part of the narrative: cocktails devised by Salvatore Calabrese draw on Florentine inspirations, from truffle to leather, and incorporate spirits from female-founded producers, echoing Artemisia’s legacy. Paired with expressive small plates by Fulvio Pierangelini, it is a space for connection, where Florence’s tradition of storytelling lives on through conversation, cocktails, and culture. 

For special interest groups seeking rare cultural encounters, this exclusive tour can be arranged through the concierge team at Hotel Savoy.