From the Uffizi in Siena two historical views of the sixteenth-century city

Two great historical works owned by the Uffizi and deeply linked to the identity of the Palio will be exhibited at the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex in Siena, accessible to all: these are the two views of Piazza del Campo signed by Vincenzo Rustici in 1585: ” Piazza del Campo with the parade of the districts “and” Piazza del Campo with the hunting of bulls “, both canvases of 192×126 cm. The mayor of Siena Luigi De Mossi and the director of the Uffizi Eike Schmidt sealed the agreement on Tuesday 7 June, during a visit by the director to the city of the Palio. The two paintings had been in external storage by the Uffizi for some decades, in custody at the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, ordinarily not visible to the public: now, with the transfer to Santa Maria della Scala, they can be admired by everyone every day. by the mayor, Schmidt also visited the building site of Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s masterpiece fresco, the Buongoverno, in the Palazzo Pubblico. The important diagnostic reconnaissance initiative of the work, recently undertaken, is making it possible to map its state of conservation and plan further interventions, and is proving to be a mine of valuable information for the experts who are part of the working group formed with the Superintendence . Director Schmidt was able to admire the extraordinary cycle “Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government” from close up in the elevated position of the scaffolding. “Two identifying works, deeply linked to the soul of our city, will henceforth be visible to anyone – this is the comment of Mayor De Mossi on the transfer of Rustici’s paintings to Santa Maria della Scala – We will finally enhance them in a public museum , in the very prestigious context of Santa Maria della Scala which, due to its history and its characteristics, is a bit like the great “book” of the history of Siena. This is an important and honoring concession, for which I thank the director Schmidt. A choice that strengthens us in the path we are taking to make the most of the extraordinary treasures of our territory. “The formula studied by the Museum, the Municipality and the Santa Maria della Scala Foundation will be that of a long-term deposit, which allows the Sienese museum to enhance the works owned by the Uffizi. In a logic, repeatedly enunciated by the Florentine museum, which aims to characterize the Gallery as a widespread pole of art and culture throughout the territory. Uffizi director Eike Schmidt said: “The pair of sixteenth-century paintings by Vincenzo Rustici, depicting not only the heart of Siena but two splendid moments of the characteristic costumes of the city – the parade of the districts and the hunting of bulls – will now be visible all days for the Sienese and foreigners. These masterpieces reaffirm how much the Sienese can for reasons feel proud not only of their extraordinary urban heritage, but especially of the centuries-old city traditions that find their most glorious living symbol in the Palio “.