Online Encyclopedia
Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno
The Accademia dell' Arte del Disegno of Florence was the first academy of drawing in Europe. It was founded in 1561 with high patronage of the Medici by Giorgio Vasari, Agniolo Bronzino and Bartolommeo Ammannati , three of the central artists of Mannerism. At first the academy met in the cloisters of the Church of the Santissima Annunziata.
When the Accademia welcomed Artemisia Gentileschi to membership, it was a signal honor to a woman.
Pietro Leopoldo, Grand Duke of Tuscany, decreed in 1784 that all the schools of drawing in Florence were to combine together under one roof, under the direction of the Accademia and that it was to contain a gallery of paintings by old masters to help the studies of the young artists. The Accademia, and the adjoining Gallery still occupy the premises that were assigned in via Ricasoli, a former convent and hospice. The Grand Duke also decided to include among the arts protected in this way, a conservatory of music (the Cherubini Conservatory) and, more extraordinary, a school of art restoration (the Opificio delle Pietre Dure).
The Accademia has housed the original David of Michelangelo since 1873, when it was moved there to protect it, Michelangelo's Captives meant for the tomb of Pope Julius II, and Giambologna's original plaster for the Rape of the Sabine Women as well as outstanding 15th and 16th century Florentine paintings.