Archive note: this exhibition has ended. It was held at Palazzo Medici Riccardi from 13 April to 21 May 2019.
Catherine de’ Medici and her Florentine childhood
Homage to Catherine formed part of the celebrations marking five hundred years since the births of Cosimo and Catherine de’ Medici. The exhibition focused on Catherine’s close relationship with Palazzo Medici Riccardi, where she spent periods of her childhood and youth before leaving for France in 1533.
Born in Florence on 13 April 1519, Catherine was the daughter of Maddalena de la Tour d’Auvergne and Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino. Her early life unfolded between Florence and Rome and included periods in Florentine convents during the siege of the city.
The exhibition included Jacopo Chimenti da Empoli’s painting of Catherine’s wedding to Henry II of France, on loan from the Uffizi Galleries, together with documents and texts from the Biblioteca Moreniana and portraits connected with the Medici dynasty.
The project was accompanied by lectures, music and guided visits exploring Catherine’s life and the history of the palace.
