Museum of the Works of the Prato Cathedral

OUTSIDE FLORENCE

The museum, created in 1967, in order to house works coming from the Cathedral, has been enlarged several times and recently renovated, thus creating a suggestive itinerary around the harmonious Romanesque cloister, with works coming from the entire diocese.

In 1989, following an agreement between the Municipality and the Diocese, the Prato Museum System, which is made up also of the Diocesan Museums (the Duomo, Mural Painting, Museum of the Parish Church of Figline, Museum of the Badia of Vaiano) was created.

The first room displays wooden and polyptych panels dating from the 14th to the beginning of the 15th century (by Giovanni Bonsi, Lorenzo di Niccolò, Giovanni Toscani), notable sculptures (among which is the head of a Crucifix from 1220-30 and a powerful relief by Giroldo da Como, del 1262 ca) and 14th-15th century sacred furnishings.

The following room houses the precious Saint Stephen’s Hangings, donated by Provost Alessandro de’Medici (Leon XI), and 15th century various illuminated choir books(by Rossello Franchi and Attavante Attavanti). The adjoining room is dedicated to the worship of the Holy Girdle of the Madonna, the most valuable relic of the territory, and shows some vibrant marble reliefs either from an exterior pulpit or perhaps from an altar frontal , sculpted in 1358-60 by the Sienese Niccolò del Mercia.

Through the basement – the excavation brought to light finds ranging from the Etruscan period to the 15th century and modest structures dating from Early Middle Ages – one can reach the Room of the 1400’s where one can admire Renaissance paintings such as Filippo Lippi’s masterpiece in Prato, The Funeral Rites of Saint Jerome (1453 ca), which is a valuable panel by Piero di Lorenzo (1449), who was one of his pupils, and a molded Crucifix of Botticelli’s school.

The following room, of beautiful Renaissance form, has an exceptional marble parapet in its center (1434-38) from the Pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo, a sort of small, round temple in which an uncontainable joy bursts out of the little dancing angels, pictorially rendered through the “stiacciato”, or low relief, the complex foreshortened perspectives and its mosaic background. A precious Renaissance piece is the casket (1446), by Maso di Bartolomeo, which used to contain the Holy Girdle. Also notable are other 15th century sculptures.

From an adjoining room that houses 17th century paintings (works by Matteo Rosselli, Empoli, Livio Mehus), among which is the notable altar-piece with the Guardian angel (1675) by Carlo Dolci,one comes out under the remaining side of the small Romanesque cloister of the cathedral second half of the12th century), in white marble and green serpentine, which preserves some refined zoomorphic capitals.

From here, through a sepulchral chapel (first half of the 12th century) one reaches the “Vaults”, the basement of the Cathedral transept, used from 1326 to the end of the 1700’s for family burials where one can still admire: coats-of-arms, sepulchral insignias, and various important 14th-16th century frescoes–such as a Pietà by Bonaccorso di Cino.

Connected to the vaults is the Chapel of Saint Stephen, frescoed by the Miniati brothers around 1420.The Chapel still has an original 15th century loose stone foundation in terracotta bent tiles and houses important reliquaries of the Cathedral. One exits the museum through the 13th century bell tower alongside the Cathedral.

Short Bibliography

La ricerca archeologica nell’area del Palazzo Vescovile di Prato . Poggesi G. e Wentkowska A. (a cura di), Firenze, Edizioni Polistampa, 2008.

Sacre suggestioni: Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Prato. AA.VV., Firenze, Editore: Polistampa, 2001.

Il Tesoro del Duomo di Prato. Marchini G., Prato, Editore: Cassa di Risparmio e Depositi di Prato, 1963.

Musei e raccolte d’arte sacra in Toscana- Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Prato. in “Le Guide di Toscana Oggi”, pp.541-556, 2000.

Musei di Prato: Galleria di Palazzo pretorio, Opera del Duomo, Quadreria comunale. Datini G.(a cura di), Bologna, Editore: Calderini, 1972.

Our Lady of the Assumption Giving her Girdle to Saint Thomas, and Musician Angels

Date: 1358-1360
Technique and Materials: white marble in high-relief
Size: 99 cm. x 196 cm.
Artist: Niccolò di Cecco del Mercia (documented in Siena, 1351-1370)
Provenance: From the Cathedral

This relief was made by Niccolò and his son Sano (who also worked on the completion of the duomo’s bell tower) for an external pulpit of the cathedral of Prato, intended to display the relic of the Holy Girdle.

Chalices

Date: second half of the 14th century
Technique and Materials: cast and embossed copper, worked with burin and chisel, and gilded; enamels
Production: 14th-century Florentine production
Size: h. 23 cm. e 22 cm.
Provenance: The first from San Leonardo in Collina (Vaiano), the second from the Prato Church of Santa Maria a Narnali

Classic artefacts in an elegant Gothic style, with engravings and a six-lobed base; the node has elegant disks with enamels and engravings.

The Cathedral’s Romanesque cloister

Date: second half of the 12th century
Technique and Materials: white marble from Luni, green serpentine from Prato, alberese
Artist: 12th-century Tuscan craftsmen (?)

The structure, of which only the eastern side has been retained, is the only remaining example in the Florence area of a marble-inlaid Romanesque cloister.

Dormitio Virginis

Date: 1358-1360
Technique and Materials: white marble in high relief
Size: 96 cm. x 197 cm.
Artist: Niccolò di Cecco del Mercia (documented in Siena, 1351-1370)

Similar to the previous high relief, but of greater expressiveness, this relief perhaps was part of the parapet of a second pulpit inside the church, or the frontal of an altar.

Madonna and Child

Date: ca. 1365
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 88 cm. x 53 cm.
Attributed to: 14th-century Florentine painter from Orcagna’s circle
Provenance: From the Church of San Paolo a Carteano (Prato)

The altarpiece has a refined, balanced, and concise composition, with figures harmoniously shaped by the elegant chiaroscuro. Similar to the Master of San Lucchese’s work, it shows references to Maso di Banco and to Jacopo di Cione’s best works.

Madonna and Child between Saints Justus and Clement

Date: 1449
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 178 cm. x 167 cm.
Artist: Piero di Lorenzo di Pratese, 1410 – 1487
Provenance: From the Church of Santi Giusto e Clemente in Faltugnano (Vaiano)

The altarpiece was painted by the Master of the Castello Nativity, now identified with Piero di Lorenzo, one of Lippi’s assistants.

Monstrance

Date: ca. 1710
Technique and Materials: cast, embossed and engraved silver, gold-plated copper
Size: 52 cm. x 26 cm.
Artist: Bernard Holzman, 1685 – 1728
Provenance: From the Church of Sant’Antonio in Mercatale di Vernio

Of remarkable quality, the monstrance has a sunburst supported by an elegant cherub in full relief. It was commissioned to Holzmann in 1710 by the Bardi counts of Vernio for the Church of San Quirico.

Reliquary of the Holy Cross

Date: 1590
Technique and Materials: cast and embossed silver, with an engraved and chased finish, glass
Size: h. 38.5 cm.
Artist: Egidio Leggi (Cortona, documented in 1588 – Florence, 1605)
Provenance: From the Cathedral

The elegant reliquary in the shape of a tempietto is supported by voluted spurs and topped by a fish-scaled dome. It was made for the Cathedral by the Opera della Cintola.

Saint Lucy (on the predella, a scene of her martyrdom)

Date: ca. 1480
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 173 cm. x 110 cm.
Artist: Florentine master from the second half of the 15th century

The work was painted for a minor altar of the Parish Church of Santo Stefano (Duomo) by an artist with extensive education, perhaps trained in Filippo Lippi’s workshop, but also influenced by Ghirlandaio and Botticini.

Trinity and The Stoning of Saint Stephen, Choral D, c. 51

Date: 1429-1430
Technique and Materials: illumination on parchment
Size: 60 cm. x 43 cm.
Artist: Rossello Franchi (Firenze 1377 – Firenze 1456)

The original composition decorates a gradual created for the cathedral, richly illuminated with elegant scenes that show evanescent chromatic subtleties in the style of Gaddi, as well as an already Ghibertian plastic effect and linear fluency.

Case for the Sacred Girdle

Date: 1446-1448
Technique and Materials: gilded copper, bone and horn
Size: 14 cm. x 20 cm.
Artist: Maso di Bartolomeo (ergine Valdarno 1406 – Dubrovnik 1456)

Made as a prized treasure chest for the Marian relic (which was kept there until the 17th century), it is a reworking of Donatello’s motif of putti dancing inside a small temple.

Chalice

Date: ca. 1635
Technique and Materials: cast and embossed silver, with an engraved and chased finish
Size: h. 23 cm.
Artist: Cosimo Merlini (Bologna 1580 – Florence 1641)
Provenance: From the Church of San Bartolomeo di Prato

Made for the Prato Church of San Bartolomeo by one of the most skilled grand-ducal silversmiths, the structure of this highly original artifact is made up of Eucharistic symbols (the node is a cluster of grapes, the base is adorned with ears of wheat).

Christ in the Tomb between the Virgin and Saint John

Date: ca. 1345
Materials and Technique: Fresco
Artist: Bonaccorso di Cino, 14th century

In this painting (carried out on one of the pillars of the cathedral’s “vaults”), a double portico is reproduced, behind which stand out the imposing figures of the Virgin and Saint John, to the sides of the dead Christ.

Funeral of Saint Jerome, and Scenes from his Life

Date: ca. 1453
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 293 cm. x 173 cm.
Artist: Filippo Lippi, ca. 1406 – 1469
Provenance: From the Cathedral

The altarpiece, probably Lippi’s masterpiece in Prato, was commissioned to the artist for an altar in the parish church (later Cathedral) by the provost Geminiano Inghirami.

The Guardian Angel

Date: 1670-1675
Technique and Materials: oil on canvas
Size: 260 cm. x 162 cm.
Artist: Carlo Dolci (Florence 1616 – Florence 1686)
Provenance: From the Cathedral

The altarpiece was commissioned for the cathedral’s Chapel of the Assumption by the confraternity known as that of the Guardian Angels formed by one hundred priests. It was carried out between 1670 and 1675 (the work is signed and dated 1675).

Madonna and Child among Saints Michael, Peter and Paul, and Abbot Benvenuto

Date: ca. 1262
Technique and Materials: carved sandstone
Size: 94 cm. x 140 cm.
Artist: Giroldo di Iacopo (Como o Lugano, notizie 1252-1274)
Provenance: From the Vallombrosan Abbey of Santa Maria in Montepiano (Vernio)

Giroldo, who worked for many years in Tuscany (Volterra, Massa Marittima, and San Miniato), signed and dated this exceptional sculpture which depicts vigorous and well-portrayed figures, combined with traditional Byzantine elements (the lyre throne of the Virgin).

Altar frontal of the Saint Stephen set

Date: ca. 1590
Technique and Materials: chiseled velvet, embroidery
Production: Florentine production from the second half of the 16th century
Size: 100 cm. x 303 cm.
Provenance: From the cathedral

Part of an elegant pontifical set (the cope and chasuble are also displayed in the museum) donated to the Cathedral around 1590 by the provost, Cardinal Alessandro de’ Medici – later Pope Leo XI.

Saint Lawrence

Date: 1430-1440
Technique and Materials: terracotta bust
Size: 74 cm. x 47 cm.
Artist: Florentine sculptor of the 15th century
Provenance: From the Prato Church of San Lorenzo in Pizzidimonte

Of remarkable quality, the bust comes from the Prato Church of San Lorenzo in Pizzidimonte (where it was placed on the external lunette of the portal).

San Pietro di Alcàntara amministra la santa Comunione a Santa Teresa di Avila

Datazione: 1683
Tecnica e Materiali: olio su tela
Dimensioni: 239 cm. x 164 cm.
Autore: Livio Mehus, Oudenaarde 1627 – Firenze 1691
Provenienza: Dalla Cattedrale

Il dipinto, firmato e datato, fu eseguito per la cappella Inghirami in Cattedrale. La tela costituisce il capolavoro della pittura sacra del pittore fiammingo, per il misticismo sofferto della sintetica composizione.

Transport of the Body of Saint Stephen

Date: 1865
Technique and Materials: oil on canvas
Size: 132 cm. x 91 cm.
Artist: Alessandro Franchi (Prato 1838 – Siena 1914)

Painted for the Cai chapel in Prato, this work shows Franchi’s typical, exceptional skill in drawing. A disciple of Mussini in Siena, this is one of his most personal and heartfelt works.

Frescoes in the Chapel of Saint Stephen

Date: ca. 1420
Artist: Pietro di Miniato (Firenze ca. 1366 – Prato ca.1430) Antonio di Miniato (Florence 1387 – Prato ca. 1466)

The chapel, below the sacristy of the Cathedral (1320), was the seat of the Company of Saint Stephen, and was redecorated around 1420.

Annunciation

Date: ca. 1410
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 101 cm. x 136 cm.
Artist: Lorenzo di Niccolò, Florence 1342 – Florence 1411
Provenance: From the Church of San Lorenzo in Pizzidimonte (Prato)

As the mutilated inscription indicates, this panel painting was commissioned by the notary Antonio de’ Toffi. The painting, with crisp and elongated figures, and refined and lively colors, is probably a late work by the artist, a disciple of Niccolò Gerini.

Crucifix

Date: 1495-1505
Technique and Materials: tempera on a shaped wooden panel
Workshop: Botticelli’s Workshop
Size: 158 cm. x 83 cm.
Provenance: From the Monastery of San Vincenzo

From the monastery of San Vincenzo comes this crucifix painted (also on the back) on a shaped wooden panel (in imitation of a carved crucifix), following a 14th-century fashion later spread by Lorenzo Monaco.

Benedictory Infant Jesus, with the symbols of the Passion

Date: 1486-1487
Technique and Materials: white marble
Size: 60 cm. x 28 cm.
Artist: Francesco di Simone Ferrucci, Fiesole 1437 – Fiesole 1493
Provenance: From the cathedral

The small figure of the Infant Jesus, which is holding the crown of thorns and nails, is based on that by Desiderio da Settignano in Florence’s Church of San Lorenzo; it is differentiated, however, by its heightened realism.

The Good Shepherd between Saint Nicholas and Saint Francis

Date: 1390-1400
Technique and Materials: detached fresco
Size: 196 cm. x 317 cm.
Artist: Francesco di Michele, Firenze 14th century
Provenance: From the Cathedral

The painting comes from the Vinaccesi chapel in the cathedral (the first chapel to the right in the transept). It was detached in 1872 by Alessandro Franchi before carrying out the room’s new decoration.

Madonna and Child, the Infant Saint John and Two Angels

Date: ca. 1560
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 89 cm. x 68 cm.
Artist: Maso da San Friano, Florence 1532 – Florence 1571

A cultured and refined work with allusions to Pontormo and Andrea del Sarto, probably painted for the Palazzo della Propositura (the current Bishop’s Palace). Another version of the painting is in the Birmingham City Museum.

Parapet of the cathedral’s external Pulpit

Date: 1434-1438
Technique and Materials: white marble bas-reliefs with a mosaic background in maiolica
Size: h. 79 cm., diam. 209 cm.
Artist: Donatello (Donato de’ Bardi) and assistants, Florence 1386 – Florence 1466 Michelozzo di Bartolomeo and assistants, Florence 1396 – Florence 1472

The parapet, made up of seven main reliefs (and four minor ones with architectural elements), reproduces the shape of a circular tempietto supported by double pillars.

Reliquary of Saint Corbulina

Date: 1827
Technique and Materials: embossed cast silver with an engraved and chased finish; gilded metal
Size: 54 cm. x 39 cm.
Artist: Gaetano Guadagni, Florence 1778 – Florence 1836
Provenance: From the cathedral

In a refined neoclassical style, the bust, with the beautiful youthful face of the saint, has a gilded metal base; it was made for the cathedral after the previous reliquary had been handed over to the grand-ducal government, and cast in 1799.

Saint Matthew and Saint John the Evangelist; Saint James and Saint Anthony the Abbot

Date: ca. 1415
Technique and Materials: tempera on a wooden panel
Size: 103 cm. x 77 cm .; 102 cm. x 76 cm.
Artist: Giovanni Toscani, Arezzo 1370/80 – Florence 1430
Provenance: The two panels with pairs of saints were the side parts of a polyptych from the Church of San Bartolomeo, in the old convent

The large figures are lightened by the refined use of color and the elegant Gothic rhythm of the garments and poses. They show references to Iacopo di Cione (probably Toscani’s master) and to Niccolò Gerini.

Head of Christ

Date: 1220-1230
Technique and Materials: carved polychrome wood
Size: h. 37 cm.
Artist: 13th-century Tuscan sculptor

This wooden sculpture with its sharp and elegant modeling still retains the original polychrome; it probably
comes from the Arezzo area.

Address

Museum of the Works of the Prato Cathrdral
Piazza del Duomo, 49
Prato
Phone: 0574 29339
Fax: 0574 445084
Website | E-mail

How to get there:
By car: from the A1, take the A11 exit (Pisa Nord) towards Prato.
By bus: from Florence (Piazza Adua), CAP-LAZZI bus service
By train: the local trains that run on the Florence-Bologna and Florence-Lucca lines stop in Prato at the stations of Prato Centrale and Prato Porta al Seraglio).

Opening hours

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;
Friday, Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m to 6.00 p.m;
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Closed on Tuesdays.

Closed each year on the following holidays: 1 January, Easter; 1 May; 15 August; and Christmas.

Services

Partially accessible to the differently abled.

Useful links

Diocese of Prato religious complex

Culture, art, tourism archives

Tickets

Full price: € 5.00;
Reduced price: €. 3.00

Combined ticket (now suspended for rearrangement of the museum of Mural Painting) Museum of the Works of the Cathedral and Museum of Mural Painting: full price € 8.00 / reduced price € 5.00.

Discounts: for those over 65, children (4 to 18 years of age), visitors to the Lippi frescoes who are in possession of the ticket issued in the Cathedral of Prato, students, Edumusei Card (teachers, educators), Amici dei Musei Association, groups of more than 20 people.

Free admission: children up to 3 years of age, tour guides/escorts of groups over 20 people.