Diocesan Museum of Santo Stefano al Ponte

FLORENCE

The Diocesan Museum of Santo Stefano al Ponte, inaugurated in 1995, is set in the Augustinian convent complex of Lecceto. At the entrance one finds the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament erected in 1586 which has maintained its ancient splendor unaltered with its 1700’s altar-cloth on the altar, the bronze candelabra of the 1600’s, an 18th century chalice covered by a voile, the burse,a lectern, a 19th century missal.

Adjacent to the Chapel of the Sacramento is the so-called Goldsmiths’ Chapel of the Confraternity of Saint Luke with a painted 14th century cross attributable to the circle of Taddeo Gaddi. From here one goes on to the collection of paintings which hasa series of important painted devotional panels with a gold background such as: the Madonna with Child of the neo-Byzantine school, the Crucifixion by Cenni di Francesco, the Madonna of the Humility by the Master of the Straus Madonna (moved in September 2014 at the Parish of Santa Maria in Quinto, Sesto Fiorentino, along with the Triptych of Spinello Aretino) and three Madonnas with Child by Valdelsa masters of the end of the 1300’s.


Continuing the visit, the 1602 oil painting by Santi di Tito of the Meeting of Abraham’s Servant with Rebecca at the well, two paintings by Giovanni del Biondo and a panel by Bicci di Lorenzo portraying Saint Lucy, Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint Donatothe Bishop are to be pointed out.

In the corridor, one finds a panel by the Master of Santa Verdiana and the dismantled triptych by Lorenzo di Niccolò Gerini. After a visit to the other small rooms which house liturgical objects, other 14th century paintings, a terracotta crèche made up of ten statuettes attributed to Benedetto Buglioni and his workshop and the statue of the Madonna with Child by Nino Pisano, one enters the sacristy.

The sacristy, which is the largest room in the museum, houses the most important painting of the museum: the Madonna of San Giorgio alla Costa by Giotto. Next to it are two other paintings of great value: the Predella of Quarate by Paolo Uccello and Saint Julian by Masolino da Panicale. Among the bronzes to be pointed out is the bust of the Blessed Davanzato by Pietro Tacca and among the silver pieces are the Reliquary of Saint Frediano and the Bust of Saint Cresci based on a drawing by Giovan Battista Foggini. Other noteworthy works are the Panel by Domenico di Michelino, the Annunciation by the Master of the Straus Madonna, the polyptych of Gàliga above the Group of Mourners of San Michele a Casanova and the Annunciation by Bicci di Lorenzo.

Short Bibliography

Museo Diocesano di Santo Stefano al Ponte Pacciani S. (a cura di), Firenze, Editore: Edizioni della Meridiana, 1998

Santo Stefano al Ponte Vecchio Pacciani S. (a cura di), Firenze, Editore: Edizioni della Meridiana, 1998

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Chalice

Date: 14th century
Technique and Materials: gilded copper

Its polylobed form refers to the characteristic shape of the late Gothic style. The decoration is refined and delicate, and the pommel is decorated with ornamental plaquettes.

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Madonna and Child

Technique and Materials: marble
Attributed to: Andrea Pisano
Provenance: Santa Maria a Mantignano (Florence)

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Saint John the Baptist, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin

Date: 14th century
Technique and Materials: wooden panel
Attributed to: Maestro di Santa Verdiana
Provenance: San Martino a Terenzano (Florence)

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Processional cross

Date: 15th century
Technique and Materials: copper, silver, bronze, enamel
Artist: Parri Spinelli, 1387 – 1453

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Madonna of San Giorgio alla Costa

Date: ca. 1295
Technique and Materials: wooden panel
Size: 180 cm. x 90 cm.
Artist: Giotto di Bondone, known as Giotto (Vespignano di Vicchio 1267?-1337)
Provenance: Church of San Giorgio alla Costa (Florence)

The young Giotto who painted this wooden panel already possessed a clear style. The physicality of the characters stands out, seeming almost to come to life as they emerge from the flat background. The representation of the Madonna, at an oblique angle compared to the frontality of the Child, gives the work depth, accentuated by the throne that, forming a sort of architectural niche, gives the whole work a further concrete perspective.

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The Mourners (John and Mary of Cleophas)

Date: 14th century
Technique and Materials: wooden sculpture
Workshop of: the Orcagna family
Provenance: San Michele a Casanova (Firenzuola – Florence)

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Camoggiano Nativity Scene, The Madonna

Date: 15th-16th century
Technique and Materials: terracotta
Workshop of: Benedetto Buglioni
Attributed to: Benedetto Buglioni, 1476 – 1521
Provenance: Sant’Andrea a Camoggiano (Barberino di Mugello – Florence)

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Saint Julian

Date: ca. 1420
Technique and Materials: wooden panel
Artist: Masolino da Panicale, 1383 – ca. 1440
Provenance: Carnesecchi Chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore (Florence)
Collection: It is a side panel of the triptych for the altar of the Carnesecchi Chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore (Florence). The frame is from the 18th century.

Address

Diocesan Museum of Santo Stefano al Ponte (Florence)
Piazza Santo Stefano al Ponte, 5
50121 Florence
Visit the site

How to get there
By car: upon arriving in Florence, follow the signs to the Viali di Circonvallazione (avenues), then to Piazza Beccaria (Santa Croce district). Park in Lungarno della Zecca.

Opening hours

Closed for renovation.

Services

Guided Tours
Exhibitions

References

Diocesan Museum of Milan [Museum]
go to the site