Luca Giordano (Naples, 1634?1705) was one of Italy's most celebrated Baroque painters when he travelled to Florence, where his art was already appreciated and collected. He received many commissions, but certainly the most prestigious was that for the decoration of the vault of the new wing of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the ancient house of Lorenzo the Magnificent which was then owned by the Marquis Francesco Riccardi. The Riccardi family was strictly connected to the Medicis and the decorative program of the great hall, known as Gallery of Mirrors, was centred upon the Apotheosis of the Medicis and several mythological scenes which illustrate the progress of humanity. The exhibition and its catalogue document this masterpiece through the ten painted sketches by Giordano (exhibited under the very frescoes) and circa 30 other paintings from his Florentine period (1682?1685) by the aptly named Luca ?fa presto? (fare presto = to be fast). AUTHORS: Riccardo Lattuada is Professor of Modern Art History and Social History of Art at the University of Campania. Luigi Vanvitelli. Giuseppe Scavizzi is professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. Valentina Zucchi is an art historian who works for MUS.E, the association that manages the Museums of the City of Florence. SELLING POINTS: . Entirely devoted to the masterpiece of Baroque art in Florence . Luca Giordano was one of the most appreciated artist in 17th century Italy and Europe . A number of paintings exhibited belong to the National Gallery, London 85 colour illustrations
