Santa Maria Novella, located in Florence, Italy, is not only the city's principal Dominican church but also a museum that houses some of the most famous artworks of all time. The church and its adjoining cloister, chapter house, and funerary monuments are home to an array of treasures created by masters of Gothic and early Renaissance periods. These works were financed by prominent Florentine families who ensured themselves a place in consecrated ground (WahooArt).
The Museum Santa Maria Novella (Florence, Italy)
Santa Maria Novella, located in Florence, Italy, is not only the city's principal Dominican church but also a museum that houses some of the most famous artworks of all time. The church and its adjoining cloister, chapter house, and funerary monuments are home to an array of treasures created by masters of Gothic and early Renaissance periods. These works were financed by prominent Florentine families who ensured themselves a place in consecrated ground (
ArtsDot).
One of the most famous artworks exhibited at Santa Maria Novella is Filippo Brunelleschi's Crucifix. This wooden masterpiece, created between 1410 and 1415, was completed in competition with his friend Donatello. The result is a beautifully carved and painted crucifix that showcases the majestic inclination of Christ's head and the detailed carving of His muscles (
ArtsDot).
Another famous artwork at Santa Maria Novella is Giotto Di Bondone's Crucifix, which measures 170 x 170 cm and is made of wood. This masterpiece was created for the high altar of the church and showcases Giotto's mastery of perspective and color (
ArtsDot).
The Strozzi Chapel, located to the right of the main altar, is dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and features beautiful frescoes by Filippino Lippi that depict scenes from his life (
Visit Florence).
The Tornabuoni Chapel, located in the left transept of the church, features a stunning fresco cycle by Ghirlandaio that depicts scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist (
Visit Florence).
The Gondi Chapel, located to the left of the main altar, contains a wooden crucifix by Brunelleschi that was completed in competition with Donatello (
Visit Florence).
The Museum of Santa Maria Novella, managed by the city of Florence, is composed of two first cloisters of the ancient convent, the Spanish Chapel, and the large refectory (
Muse Firenze).
In conclusion, Santa Maria Novella is a must-visit museum for anyone interested in Gothic and early Renaissance art. The church's adjoining cloister, chapter house, and funerary monuments are home to an array of treasures created by masters of these periods. These works were financed by prominent Florentine families who ensured themselves a place in consecrated ground (
ArtsDot).