Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

The painter Masaccio was one of the most influential and important painters of the Quattrocento period of the Italian Renaissance, a key figure in moving from the more stylised and decorative aesthetic of Gothic art to something more naturalistic. Vasari, an artist and architect in his own right who was a great writer, historian, and chronicler of the Renaissance masters, notes that Masaccio was studied by all of Florence’s most celebrated painters and sculptors in order to, "learn the precepts and rules for painting well."

So, though his name is perhaps unfamiliar to many, his influence goes far beyond his life and work and his paintings, when viewed today, remain striking and impressive things to behold. Full of dramatic tension, stunning jewel tones, and impressive lifelike figures, his paintings and frescoes are a delight to devour.

If you are browsing our Tuscany Villas and are already a fan of his work, in particular, or are simply interested in the history of art and the Italian Renaissance, then this winter is an ideal time to plan a vacation in Tuscany as the master’s great works are returning to Masaccio’s home town of San Giovanni Valdarno for a very special exhibition!

If you are both a fashion-lover and a fan of Tuscany villas then there is no doubt that a luxury villa in Florence is a perfect fit. While enjoying all the city has to offer, you can also spend time exploring the fashion museums of both famous brands like Gucci and Ferragamo and state-run historic costume collections like those at the Museum of Costume and Fashion in the Palazzo Pitti to learn more about the history of Italian design. You can see the business of fashion and traditions of craftsmanship that are on display at artisan’s ateliers. You can simply sit out with a cup of coffee in a piazza and do a bit of people-watching to soak up the local street style. Or you can even head to boutiques, famous shopping streets, local markets, and the flagship stores of some of the most famous brands in the world to find some incredible items of clothing and bring a little bit of that famous Italian style home with you after your vacation in Florence.

However, being based in the city of Florence means that you also have ready access to other towns, cities, and fashion-related attractions if you want to venture further afield and seek out some less obvious or well-known sartorial stars. Among these, the Museo del Tessuto, or Prato Textile Museum.

Located in the charming and nearby town of Prato, this excellent museum is one that we have mentioned before and is known to be one of the best fashion and textile history museums in the country. Currently, it is also playing host to an amazing exhibition that runs into April of next year entitled, “Two Centuries of Textile and Fashion Design,” that will be fascinating to any serious fashion fans or lovers of period costume. 

Many, when browsing among our Tuscany villas, end up deciding to book one of our villas in Pisa, which is completely and utterly understandable. Pisa, as a holiday destination, has so much to offer a visitor: visits to the impossibly famous and iconic landmark of the city that is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, trips into the stunning rolling hills and lush plains of the surrounding typical and picture-perfect Tuscan landscape, days tasting wine at any of the large number of nearby vineyards, strolls through the pretty and historic centre of the city, time playing in the water at the nearby beaches of the Tuscan Coast or hiking in the nature parks and reserves that are close by, attending the local festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year, exploring the endless architectural gems of the city, and trips to the range of incredible museums that can be found in Pisa. Among these museums, many of which we have mentioned before, there is the National Museum of San Matteo, a must-see treasure trove of gorgeous objects and works of art for those who snag one of our amazing holiday rentals in Pisa.

The Palazzo delle Papesse is a beautiful historic palace and architectural gem located in the centre of Siena that has a rich and fascinating history and is currently playing host to an equally fascinating exhibition that brings together the art of famous surrealist Salvador Dalí and the thoughts, theories, and discoveries of some of the ground-breaking and world-leading scientists who intrigued him, including Galileo, who once lived for a time in the building after his abjuration. A lesser-known but truly incredible tourist attraction in the historic core of this beautiful city, it is a must-see for those who browse our Tuscany villas and then find a vacation rental in Siena.

Tuscany is home to some world-famous museums and galleries as well as churches and palaces with extraordinary collections that are known the world over and are immediate must-sees for those planning a vacation in Tuscany or to find a Tuscany villa. However, these well-known spots are not the only places to go to see art while in Tuscany. In fact, one might stumble across all kinds of incredible masterpieces all throughout the region from the Keith Haring mural painted on the side of an old church in Pisa to the examples of contemporary street art that dot cities such as Florence to random little chapels and tiny local museums that boast works by famous Old Masters. Or, you might find that a regional museum is playing host to a travelling exhibition or temporary loan of some astounding pieces from some of those more famous museums. One example of just such a regional museum and just such an exhibition is the Ex Cavallerizza in Lucca in the Piazzle Verdi, located in the stunning and historic city of Lucca, which is playing host to the, "I Pittori della Luce / Painters of Light," exhibition. Browse our villas with pools in Lucca and get booking today to see it for yourself this summer or in the early autumn before it closes!