Officina Bardini: L’arte del legno

In Florence until 24 February 2025, an exhibition recounting the wood craft tradition of the Bardini workshops

Until 24 February 2025, the Museo Stefano Bardini in Florence opens its doors to an experience that mixes art, craftsmanship and history with the exhibition Officina Bardini: L’arte del legno. The exhibition explores the tradition of craftsmanship that animated the workshops of Stefano Bardini, known as the prince of antique dealers, and his son Ugo, revealing a fascinating chapter of Florentine art between the late 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century. The exhibition is not only a tribute to Bardini's genius, but also an opportunity to rediscover the deep bond between Florence and the art of restoration and antiques. A bond that passes through wood, a material steeped in memory and capable of telling stories of expert hands and centuries-old traditions.

The exhibition, promoted by the Municipality of Florence with MUS.E, the Regional Directorate of National Museums of Tuscany of the Ministry of Culture - Mozzi Bardini Museum and Gallery with the collaboration of the University of Florence, is curated by Giulia Coco and Marco Mozzo with the scientific advice of Simone Chiarugi and is coordinated by Carlo Francini and Valentina Zucchi, who directed the scientific project together with the curators. Realised with the support of the Ministry of Tourism in the context of the ‘UNESCO Sites and Creative Cities Fund’, the exhibition offers a unique immersion into the legacy of antiquarian Stefano Bardini.

‘It is very important that the Officina Bardini project, which began in 2022 on the occasion of the centenary of the antiquarian's death, has a follow up,’ explains Carlo Francini, coordinator of the exhibition. ’This new appointment manifests a strong interest on the part of the Florence City Council, which sees in this continuity a new input to the reconstruction of the Bardini System, which ideally links the Stefano Bardini Museum, the Mozzi Bardini Gallery, the garden and the Villa Bardini.

After the success of the 2022 exhibition dedicated to the centenary of Stefano Bardini's death, the Stefano Bardini Museum in Florence returns to celebrate the famous antiquarian with a new exhibition that focuses on the craftsmanship and production that made the Bardini workshops famous throughout the world, true jewels of woodworking and restoration. Between the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the Bardini workshops became centres of excellence, where wood was transformed into extraordinary works: Renaissance-style objects and furniture that enchanted an international clientele. Through a selection of tools, drawings and artefacts from the collections of Palazzo Mozzi Bardini, this exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the historic workshops. Among the most striking objects is the original workbench from the Bardini workshops, restored for the occasion.

The exhibition brings together the civic collections of the Museo Stefano Bardini with those housed in Palazzo Mozzi, which include a wide range of decorative elements: frames, friezes, corner pieces and components of furniture and furnishings. Restored, integrated or made from scratch, these artefacts testify to the Bardini workshops' ability to respond to the refined taste of an international clientele, attracted by the art of the Renaissance and the desire to bring back to life the atmospheres of a glorious era.

Guided tours of the exhibition will be held every Saturday at 14:00 and 15:30. The cost is €2.50 for residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence and €5 for non-residents. Holders of the Card del Fiorentino can participate free of charge (up to a maximum of three visits per year).

Museo Stefano Bardini
Via dei Renai 37, Firenze
Opening hours: Friday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: €7 (reduced €5.50); free admission for under 18s, Florentine Card holders and other specific categories.
Info and reservations: info@musefirenze.it - 055-2768224 - musefirenze.it