Art History Lecture w/ Tom Richards - Sculpture in Florence

An Installment in the Art History related content on The FAA Collective Patreon

Dear Patrons,

We are very grateful for your continued support! This month on The FAA Collective we would like to present you with an art history lecture with Tom Richards, Assistant Director of The Florence Academy of Art. Originally presented to the sculpture students at the FAA Florence campus, this lecture explores the history of sculpture in Florence, the city at the heart of the Renaissance and the main home for the academy since its founding by Daniel Graves in 1991.

An art form that has long held a role of importance and respect in the city, sculptures are found almost everywhere one looks in the historic city of Florence; as decorative elements, an integral piece to the design of a building’s facade and even as a featured or standalone artwork. In this lecture Tom explains the influence of Florentine sculpture throughout the world and takes us through several well known examples that are able to be found in museums and churches in Florence. While Tom focuses on the elements of design, we are given insightful historical context for the works; tying together the physical nature of the sculptures in space with specific choices and the circumstances behind them that the artist made. Examples include the famous competition for the Baptistery doors at the turn of the fifteenth century and the artistic influences behind the “speaking likeness” in busts by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

We hope you thoroughly enjoy this lecture, featuring artworks by artists such as Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455), Donatello (Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, 1386-1466), Michelangelo (Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, 1475-1564), Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), and exploring spaces such as The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and The Bargello National Museum in Florence, especially during these times when travel is restricted and many museums are shut to visitors. More details on the artworks shown can be found below!

More about Tom:

Tom Richards was born in London in 1982. In addition to his experience as a painter he has an MA in Art History from the University of St Andrews, graduating in 2005. Since then Tom has divided his time between London and Florence. In recent years he has exhibited his work in London and undertaken numerous commissions in Europe and beyond. He is currently Assistant Director of The Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.

To view his work please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/tominflorence/

https://www.tawrichards.com/

https://www.florenceacademyofart.com/alumni-gallery/tom-richards/

Selected Lecture Slides in order:

Museo di Palazzo Grimani, Venice, Italy

Crucifix by Giotto di Bondone, Basilica of Our Lady, Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy

North Doors of the Florence Baptistery by Lorenzo Ghiberti (Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Italy, Florence, Italy)

Crouching Aphrodite, Roman variant of the Imperial Era after a Hellenistic type, 2nd century AD, Naples Archaeological Museum

Kongōrikishi by anonymous sculptor 1288, Kōfuku-ji, Nara, Japan

The Weston Cast Court, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England, UK

Annunciation Cavalcanti by Donatello (original in the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy)

Ivory relief sculptures in the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Battle of the Centaurs by Michelangelo, Casa Buonarroti, Florence, Italy.

Pitti Tondo by Michelangelo in the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Atlas Slave by Michelangelo in the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, Italy

The Deposition (The Florentine Pietà) c. 1547–1555 by Michelangelo at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence, Italy

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata (detail) by Giotto, Louvre, Paris, France

Madonna Panciatichi by Desiderio da Settignano in the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Sant’Anna dei Lombardi church in Naples, Italy

Baptistery door competition entries by Ghiberti and Brunelleschi

Drawings by Ghiberti

San Matteo by Ghiberti at Museo di Orsanmichele, Florence, Italy

Bronze David by Donatello at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Bronze David (1473–1475) by Andrea del Verrocchio at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Penitent Magdalene by Donatello at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence, Italy

Penitent Magdalene by Desiderio da Settignano at the Chiesa di Santa Trinita, Florence, Italy

Saint George (marble) by Donatello at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Lady with a Bouquet by Andrea del Verrocchio at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Bust of Costanza Bonarelli by Gian Lorenzo Bernini at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy

Bust of Pietro Mellini by Benedetto da Maiano at the Bargello National Museum, Florence, Italy