By Armando Aureliano Sauzullo and Rebecca Ceccatelli.
Florence continues to serve as a vibrant canvas for art, hosting exhibitions that celebrate both historical and modern creative expression. If you’re planning to visit between now and April 2025, the city offers some of the most exciting winter art exhibitions that capture the richness of both its past and contemporary culture. From January to April 2025, be sure to check out these five must-see exhibitions that showcase a diverse array of artistic voices, from renowned masters to emerging talents.
5 massive Winter Art Exhibitions in Florence until 2025
1. Michelangelo e il Potere at Palazzo Vecchio
Until January 26, 2025, Palazzo Vecchio will host Michelangelo e il Potere, an exhibition curated by Cristina Acidini and Sergio Risaliti and organised by the Fondazione MUS.E in collaboration with the Municipality of Florence and Fondazione Casa Buonarroti. Featuring over fifty masterpieces—sculptures, paintings, drawings, and letters, alongside rare plaster casts—the exhibition examines Michelangelo’s complex engagement with power, politics, and authority.
The centrepiece of the exhibition is the renowned Bust of Brutus, on loan from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello and displayed in Palazzo Vecchio for the first time. A politically charged work, the sculpture reflects Michelangelo’s alignment with republican ideals and his critique of Medici rule.
Visitors will also encounter a diverse array of works that reveal the artist’s evolving relationships with influential figures, from the Florentine Republic to the Medici popes.
Through its rich collection of artworks and historical artefacts, Michelangelo e il Potere offers a deeper understanding of the artist’s life, creativity, and enduring defiance against external pressures. This exhibition is one of the most compelling in Florence this season.
2. A Room with a View at Manifattura Tabacchi
Opening on November 27 (and running until December 8), A Room with a View offers an immersive experience at Manifattura Tabacchi. Featuring artists like Lorenzo Risani, Milo Maricelli, and Selma OK, this exhibition, emerging from the Toast Project’s second edition, celebrates Florence’s ongoing role as a dynamic hub for contemporary art and culture. Set in the evocative Caveau, an ex-industrial space housing artefacts and machinery from the building’s past, the exhibition blends historical remnants with innovative modern art, making it a unique and thought-provoking display in Florence’s art scene. With various approaches ranging from analytical precision to emotive resonance, the artists evoke personal and collective memories, inviting visitors to find intimacy not just in nostalgia but in shared public experiences.
The exhibition exemplifies how contemporary art navigates the balance between historical identity and fresh experimentation, creating a space where past and present intertwine with elegance and innovation.
3. Three contemporary artists at SpazioA – Pistoia
Just a short train ride from Florence, SpazioA in Pistoia invites visitors to explore its contemporary art exhibitions. Until December 21, three outstanding artists—Helena Hladilová, Ode de Kort, and Andro Eradze—will showcase their works simultaneously. Helena Hladilová with White Shed, Ode de Kort with BBBB ITES OF OOT, and Andro Eradze with Heavy Centers promise to take visitors on an engaging artistic journey.
Helena Hladilová’s exhibition is intriguingly introduced through a short story that serves as a press release for her second solo show. To avoid spoilers, we’ll encourage you to follow this link (hint: you’ll find yourself “in a small abandoned village on the edge of the woods”). Ode de Kort’s BBBB ITES OF OOT invites interpretation through a performative lens, presenting a grammar to be revisited and understood through stutters, murmurs, and repetition. Lastly, Andro Eradze’s Heavy Centers explores themes related to the body, oscillating between the concept of the “body without organs” and, conversely, “organs without a body.” Whether interpreted metaphorically or literally, the installation raises profound questions regarding the deterritorialised body, the social fabric, and other systemic constructs. This exhibition offers a journey through three worlds that are as thought-provoking as they are engaging. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in new trends and innovative expressions in the Florence region.
4. Retroscena. Storie di resistenza e dissidenza nella Collezione Della Ragione at Museo del Novecento
The Museo Novecento in Florence is presenting the exhibition titled Retroscena. Storie di resistenza e dissidenza nella Collezione Della Ragione, which will be openuntil April the 2, 2025. The exhibition examines the connection between art, resistance, and dissent, featuring works from the renowned Della Ragione Collection. It highlights how artists have responded to oppression, challenged societal norms, and expressed dissent throughout history.
Retroscena encourages visitors to explore themes of resilience and defiance, showcasing art as both a reflection of historical moments and a tool for change. The carefully curated selection of works offers insight into the creative processes and societal contexts that influenced these pieces.
Whether you’re passionate about art or intrigued by the intersection of culture and social activism, Retroscena is a must-visit, offering a thought-provoking journey in one of Florence’s most vibrant cultural spaces.
5. Aurelio Amendola per Michelangelo (Il primato dell’informale) at Rifugio Digitale
At Rifugio Digitale, a cutting-edge space in Florence that seamlessly blends traditional and digital art forms, the exhibition Aurelio Amendola per Michelangelo explores the abstract and informal aspects of Michelangelo’s works through the lens of renowned photographer Aurelio Amendola. Running until January 5, 2025, this art exhibition delves into the tactile textures of Michelangelo’s sculptures, providing a unique and modern perspective on the Renaissance master. It is an exceptional showcase of Aurelio Amendola’s photographic artistry and a must-see for lovers of both contemporary photography and classical art in Florence. From the smooth, waxy surfaces of the Pietà Romana to the raw abrasions and tool marks of the Pietà Bandini, Amendola captures a unique visual narrative, emphasising the organic interplay between material and artistic intent.
