
By Gherardo Ulivi. Cover image courtesy of Francine Gallery.
These days, Florence is brimming with art-related events, ranging from exhibition openings to exclusive presentations, all taking place as part of the prestigious BIAF Biennale Internazionale dell’Antiquariato. In this vibrant atmosphere, we have carefully curated a selection of must-see and unique Florentine events, offering a quick guide to some of the city’s most exciting exhibitions. These events highlight both independent galleries and renowned exhibition spaces, showcasing a truly diverse cultural program that seamlessly blends the ancient with the contemporary.
Through the work of both established and emerging international artists, these venues offer a rich exploration of artistic expression, inviting audiences to engage with a wide range of styles, mediums, and historical perspectives. Whether you’re drawn to classical antiquities or cutting-edge modern art, Florence this week promises an inspiring journey through time and creativity. Be ready to take note of hidden art exhibitions in Florence not to be missed.
7 Under-The-Radar Art Exhibitions in Florence You Need To See
I STILL HEAR THE SOFT ROAR OF A DISTANT CROWD / Rubén D’Hers
Frascione Gallery, in collaboration with Villa Romana, presents I STILL HEAR THE SOFT ROAR OF A DISTANT CROWD by Rubén D’Hers, running from 21 September to 19 October 2024. The artist explores the concept of listening as a complex domain where acoustically generated sounds overlap with our musical and auditory memory. This exploration takes the form of a multimedia exhibition that combines sound installation, music, and painting. The exhibition features a sound installation using several acoustic guitars that are gently strummed by a set of motors suspended above them. This setup fine-tunes each instrument, creating a cluster of chords that conjures a sense of music that neither begins nor ends but paradoxically flows in a static state. The assemblages and devices depicted in the paintings draw on lingering tones that continuously resonate within the domestic environment, often going unnoticed. The sounds evoked by the paintings not only distort the music produced by the guitars but also challenge our perception of silence. Until 19 October 2024.
Palazzo Ricasoli Firidolfi, Via Maggio 5, Florence
L’ASSIOMA DEL VERO / Yu Ming
L’ASSIOMA DEL VERO is opening at the Sala delle Esposizioni of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence from 4 October to 26 October 2024. This extraordinary exhibition, curated by Claudio Rocca and Giovanna Uzzani, offers a profound glimpse into Yu Ming’s remarkable artistic journey. As a leading figure in contemporary realism, Yu Ming seamlessly merges traditional techniques with modern themes, bridging the gap between East and West in a stunning visual symphony and opening a dialogue between tradition and innovation. As an artist who continually pushes the boundaries of artistic expression, Yu Ming invites viewers to question the very nature of “truth” and “reality” in art. Each piece in L’ASSIOMA DEL VERO is a testament to his meticulous craftsmanship and deep emotional engagement with his subjects, offering viewers a chance to reflect on the beauty of the world and the abstract expressions of the human experience. Until 26 October 2024.
Sala delle Esposizioni of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, Via Orsanmichele, 4, Florence
DISCLOSURES / Grace Lambert-Phillips
The first-ever exhibition of photographs by Grace Lambert-Phillips in Florence, DISCLOSURES will be held at Golden View from 21 September to 17 November 2024. The exhibition is curated by French art historian Thierry Morel, who is the director of the Hermitage Museum Foundation. It brings together two distinct yet interconnected themes from the artist’s work, both focused on gathering evidence and stories to share with future generations. The first part of the exhibition will feature black and white photographs from the series, revealing the true soul of Florence, its history and intimate identity. Next to these works, there will be delicate visions of the Grand Tour, encouraging modern audiences to ponder the difference between being travellers and not mere tourists.
The exhibition will also include the presentation of two works by the famous painter Jack Vettriano, coming directly from his studio, which will be shown for the first time as a world premiere. The display of these two previously unreleased studies underlines Grace’s connection with art from the very beginning, from the start of her career as a documentary photographer to her role as a muse for the famous British artist, and now as the guardian of Italian and European tradition, history and culture through her photographic storytelling and the projects of the Lambert Phillips Foundation, which she founded. Until 17 November 2024.
Golden View, Via de’ Bardi, 58/r, Florence
LE ANTICHE RISONANZE DI ISTANBUL / Aydan Uğur Ünal
The Museo Bellini will host the exhibition LE ANTICHE RISONANZE DI ISTANBUL by Aydan Uğur Ünal from 24 September to 6 October 2024. In the approximately thirty works presented here, Aydan takes us on a journey from Leibniz to Deleuze. With his unique style, known as AydanSabb, he reveals glimpses of the glorious past emerging from the ancient depths of the Turkish city. His works combine history, philosophy and mythology, creating a harmonious fusion. The vibrant colours in his paintings, coupled with the dynamic baroque curves, give the visitor the sensation of navigating a labyrinth. The artist invites those in front of the canvas to constantly discover uncharted dimensions, enjoying the pleasure of capturing new epic tales from the exhibition’s theme. With his oil paintings, he transforms Istanbul, the Queen of Cities, by connecting seas and continents, offering a glimpse into past civilisations. He portrays the liveliness of ancient history, adding elements of Anatolian mythology to create a breeze of Asia Minor throughout his exhibition, evoking a sense of mystery and enchantment. Until 6 October 2024.
Palazzo Bellini, Lungarno Soderini 3, Florence
COME SETA TRASCINATA DA UNA MANO LIEVE / Rodolfo Meli
COME SETA TRASCINATA DA UNA MANO LIEVE, on display at Galleria Marletta from 25 September to 31 October 2024, explores the visionary universe of Rodolfo Meli, immersing us in his interpretations of antiquity and revealing how his work keeps alive the essence of tales that have shaped the foundations of the human cultural fabric. The exhibition consists of around twenty paintings created from 1984 to 2024, with a focus on the 2000s. It is centred on the theme of the mythology of Greek and Etruscan civilisations, with a section dedicated to portraiture. Meli’s artwork brings to life the stories and characters of ancient myths, presenting them through a contemporary lens. His monumental and hieratic figures are imbued with softness and languor, expressed through a light palette of luminous tones and opalescent, iridescent shades. With his ability to give life to timeless images, Meli represents a significant figure in the contemporary art scene. Until 31 October 2024.
Galleria Marletta, Piazza S. Felice 10r, Florence
REVELATIONS / Juliette Minchin and Marta Roberti
REVELATIONS is the second exhibition held at Museo Sant’Orsola and is part of the restoration of the former convent. It will feature works by artists Juliette Minchin and Marta Roberti from 28 June to 27 October 2024. The museum invited the artists to provide a unique interpretation of the rich history of the place and create original, dreamlike works inspired by elements of its past. Their works will bring the former convent into a new dimension, that of dreams. Both are involved in the transformation of two distinct spaces: Juliette Minchin will be working in the former apothecary’s house and the ‘external’ church. Her installations and wax sculptures create a second skin over and around parts of the building’s architecture, evoking the spectacular and fleeting Baroque past of the former convent. Marta Roberti focuses on the nuns’ private spaces, where they slept and meditated. Since no tangible trace remains of these spaces, the artist imagines and transforms the ‘inner’ church into an immense monastic cell and covers its walls with paper ‘frescoes’ inspired by scenes found in monasteries. Until 27 October 2024.
Museo di Sant’Orsola, Via Guelfa 21, Florence
TIMELESSNESS / Giuliano Bugiardini, Diango Hernández, Girolamo Forabosco and more.
Aria Art Gallery and the Frascione Gallery are presenting TIMELESSNESS at the 33rd Florence International Antiques Biennial from 28 September to 16 November 2024, in the exhibition spaces of Aria Art Gallery and the European School of Economics, an official partner of the BIAF. On display are around 30 works that transcend the constraints of space and time, adding new depth to both ancient and contemporary masterpieces. This showcase explores the connections between past masters and contemporary artists, offering a multifaceted exploration of art through the ages. The artworks engage in a rich dialogue across centuries, delving into various themes, techniques, concepts and interpretations.
Until 16 November 2024.
Aria Art Gallery – European School of Economics, Borgo Santi Apostoli 40r e 19, Florence
SEWN WORDS. Parole Cucite / Elena Berriolo
Elena Berriolo, an Italian artist living in New York, uses a sewing machine as a key tool in her artistic practice to explore time as a continuous dialogue between past, present, and future. Her early work included large-scale installations, but since 2011, she has focused on creating intimate artist books. These books often arise from performances addressing social and environmental issues, such as her project We Can Mend for Peace, which began in response to the war in Ukraine. Berriolo’s work reflects on the fragility of peace, using fabric tearing and mending as metaphors for repair and healing. Her sewing machine technique also has deep conceptual implications, creating peaceful lines that differ from violent gestures in other art forms, such as Fontana’s knife. In addition to books, Berriolo has created wall installations for galleries, exploring verbal communication through distinct series that highlight the creative process. Her work is marked by a strong engagement with her audience and an unwavering commitment to her feminine identity, offering a unique interaction between the artist, her craft, and the viewer. Until 27 November 2024.
Crumb Gallery, Via S. Gallo, 191/r, Florence