January 2022

Cellini’s Portrait Bust of Cosimo I de’ Medici

The Restitution of a Powerful Gaze

Following the recent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, The Medici: Portraits and Politics 1512-1570, where Cellini’s bust of Cosimo 1 de’ Medici, loaned by the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, played such a pivotal role, we thought we should record its return home to Florence and the details of the work involved in bringing to light Cosimo’s silvered eyes to such a spectacular effect.

It is with great pleasure that the Friends of the Bargello offer this short film showing the bust’s reinstallation and restorer Ludovica Nicolai’s description of the work she carried out to return Cosimo’s already powerful gaze to an even more penetrating intensity.

October 2021

The Medici: Portraits and Politics, 1512-1570

The Metropolitan Museum of Art June 26 – October 11 2021

As the final exhibition to be curated by Keith Christiansen, the John Pope Hennesy Chairman of the Department of European Paintings, this video is a testament to the collaboration between two museums, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Bargello. Keith Christiansen and his curatorial colleagues Davide Gasparotto and Linda Wolk-Simons offer us, through this fascinating conversation, a spectacular lens through which to view and experience this exciting exhibition.

We are grateful to our Patron Member Don Brownstein (The Brownstein Family Foundation) for providing the funds necessary for The Met to produce this video.

July 2020

A Special Appeal

Shot by young film-maker Carlo Frescobaldi in 2020 this poignant video reminds us of the importance and the impact of support for the Bargello during those difficult and isolating months of the pandemic.

2017

Where it began – Why the Bargello

Director Dott. Paola D’Agostino, Curator Dott. Ilaria Ciseri and Curator Ceramic Collection Dott. Marino Marini join FOB President Dr. Dimitrios Zikos and Vice-President and Director Katherine Zock to explain the purpose of the Friends of the Bargello and the importance of our mission.