The Chapel
Cappella Forestieri
Although the Cappella dei Forestieri in the Palazzo Pitti is no longer to be seen, some observations can be made about is early history. The chapel was part of the "Quartiere dei Cardinali e Principi forestieri" that was created in 1590-1591 by Ferdinando I for diplomatic purposes. Even before becoming grand duke of Tuscany in 1587, Ferdinando had demonstrated his sense for the roles of art and architecture in serving his position and political aspirations. Thus, he took a personal interest in creating the appropriate setting in Florence wherein he could receive distinguished guests, the numerous diplomats, prelates, and relatives whose visits are documented in the journal of court activities, the Diari di Etichetta.
Although today, other parts of the state apartments, the Sala delle Virtù and the Sala di Bona, retain some of their identity in the painted decorations, the space that was the chapel reflects nothing of its original character. On the walls and ceiling, one sees substantial remains of fresco decoration by Jacopo Chiavistelli and Alessandro Gherardini carried out at a later date for Violante di Bavaria, who married Gran Principe Ferdinando in 1689, and this obscures the original character and orientation . Only the narrow shape of the rectangular space remains. Located on the principal floor in the south wing and entered from the Sala di Bona, the chapel was a rectangular room measuring roughly 5 meters in length by 3 meters in width and with a vaulted ceiling 3 - 4 meters in height. Somewhat centered on the long walls are the door and, opposite, a deeply recessed window. On the short wall to the left are traces of what could have been a door or an altar, and, on the opposite short wall, a nineteenth-century reconfiguration to accommodate a stair. Whether or not the space was further reduced by a closet or a sacristy is not known.
Miles Chappell; "Proposals for the Chapel of the 'Quartiere dei Cardinali e Principi forestieri' in the Palazzo Pitti"; Arte Collezionismo Conservazione; Firenze, 2004, p. 34 and ff.
Ferdinando I commissioned Lodovico Cardi, called Cigoli, to paint The Resurrection for the altar. The painting has only recently been rediscovered.
Cristina Acidini, et al, The Medici, Michelangelo, and the Art of Late Renaissance Florence, Florence, 2002, pp. 156-157.
Although today, other parts of the state apartments, the Sala delle Virtù and the Sala di Bona, retain some of their identity in the painted decorations, the space that was the chapel reflects nothing of its original character. On the walls and ceiling, one sees substantial remains of fresco decoration by Jacopo Chiavistelli and Alessandro Gherardini carried out at a later date for Violante di Bavaria, who married Gran Principe Ferdinando in 1689, and this obscures the original character and orientation . Only the narrow shape of the rectangular space remains. Located on the principal floor in the south wing and entered from the Sala di Bona, the chapel was a rectangular room measuring roughly 5 meters in length by 3 meters in width and with a vaulted ceiling 3 - 4 meters in height. Somewhat centered on the long walls are the door and, opposite, a deeply recessed window. On the short wall to the left are traces of what could have been a door or an altar, and, on the opposite short wall, a nineteenth-century reconfiguration to accommodate a stair. Whether or not the space was further reduced by a closet or a sacristy is not known.
Miles Chappell; "Proposals for the Chapel of the 'Quartiere dei Cardinali e Principi forestieri' in the Palazzo Pitti"; Arte Collezionismo Conservazione; Firenze, 2004, p. 34 and ff.
Ferdinando I commissioned Lodovico Cardi, called Cigoli, to paint The Resurrection for the altar. The painting has only recently been rediscovered.
Cristina Acidini, et al, The Medici, Michelangelo, and the Art of Late Renaissance Florence, Florence, 2002, pp. 156-157.