The Augustinian complex of Santo Spirito, which houses the art collection of Salvatore Romano , is one of the great religious and artistic monuments of Florence, acquired by the Muncipality in 1868.

The Museum is located in the ancient Refectory of the Convent, decorated with a magnificent fresco by Andrea Orcagna depicting the Crucifixion and the Last Supper (1365 ca). In this vast setting are displayed the sculptures donated to the Municipality of Florence in 1946 by the above- mentioned Neapolitan antiquarian, a small but selected collection that goes from pre-Romanesque to the 15th century. An inscription placed by the donor explains the motives for his gesture: “In order to honor the memory/of my father Francesco Romano/and my native village/ Meta di Sorrento/I donate the Municipality of Florence/these works I have gathered with patience and love/grateful for the long hospitality/ granted to me/Salvatore Romano/a.d.mcm.xlvi.”

Salvatore Romano was born in Meta di Sorrento in 1875 and died in Florence in 1955, Although he had no background in humanistic studies, he was greatly interested in collecting antiques, a passion to which he dedicated himself, guided both by his innate passion for art, and particularly for sculpture, and by a real talent in selection. Over the course of his life, he selected in particular works of plastic art and sculpture of various styles and chronology. The group of Romanesque sculpture of his collection constitutes one of the very few examples of works in Florence which date back to that period . Among the most significant works are the Caryatid and the Adoring Angel by Tino di Camaino, the Madonna with Child by Jacopo della Quercia and two bas-reliefs depicting Saint Prosdocimus and Saint Maximus by Donatello, which are from the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua.

essential bibliography

I Cenacoli – Museo di Firenze
Trkulja Meloni S., Firenze, Editore: Becocci/Scala, 2002

Il Crocifisso di Santo Spirito
AA.VV., Firenze, Editore: Comune Assessorato alla Cultura, 2000

L'altare Segni
Silla C. (a cura di), Firenze, Editore: Musei Fiorentini, 1999

Il complesso di Santo Spirito
Capretti E., Firenze, Editore: Becocci, 1998

La Chiesa e il Convento di Santo Spirito a Firenze
Acidini Luchinat C. (a cura di), Firenze, Editore: Giunti, 1996

Il museo di Santo Spirito a Firenze
Becherucci L. (a cura di), Milano, Editore: Electa, 1995