The Oratory of Orsanmichele is a rectangular Medieval building in the very heart of Florence. It began life as a covered area that protected grain merchants from the weather, but that structure was destroyed by fire in 1304. An image of the Madonna painted on one of the pillars of the old loggia had been credited with performing miracles, and when the structure was rebuilt, it gradually changed from a place of business to a place of worship, eventually becoming completely enclosed and filled with altars.
This building is famous today for the sculptures in the niches on the exterior, but recent restoration of those wonderful bronze and marble figures has brought to light surprising evidence of brilliant gilding and colour, leading us to take a fresh look at these Renaissance masterpieces.
This building is famous today for the sculptures in the niches on the exterior, but recent restoration of those wonderful bronze and marble figures has brought to light surprising evidence of brilliant gilding and colour, leading us to take a fresh look at these Renaissance masterpieces.
