Botticelli’s paintings in Florence and where to find them (not only Uffizi)
Sandro Botticelli is probably the most famous Florentine Renaissance painter, his works have become iconic and are known and loved everywhere. In his career Botticelli created many works, which are now exhibited in art museums around the world. But the place with the largest number of paintings by this artist is Florence, Italy, the city where he was born, lived and died. In this post you will find all Botticelli’s paintings in Florence, in which museum or church you can find them, and some information on the works.
My name is Claudia, I’m a local licensed tour guide in Florence with more than 10 years of experience. Learn more about me and my guided tours in Florence.
First painting by Botticelli in the Innocenti Hospital museum
The Museum of the Ospedale degli Innocenti (museum of the Hospital of the Innocents in Florence) houses the very first known painting made by Sandro Botticelli in 1465. At the time Botticelli was still a young apprentice of his master Filippo Lippi. In fact this painting is the simplified version of the very famous Lippina by Filippo Lippi, that you can see displayed in the Uffizi Gallery. He probably wanted to pay homage to his master.
The Museum of the Innocenti hospital of Florence is one of my favorite ones, telling a wonderful story of welcoming children in difficulty spanning 6 centuries. In addition to this painting, it exhibits many other important works of Renaissance art.
Botticelli’s paintings in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence
If you don’t have much time to visit so many museums, but you want to see as many Botticelli paintings as possible, then go to the Uffizi Gallery! The Uffizi gallery is the museum in Florence with the largest number of works by Sandro Botticelli. There are two large rooms dedicated to this artist, where his most important and famous paintings are found. And, of course, they are the busiest rooms in the museum.
- Plan your visit in advance reading my tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery
- Learn more about my private Uffizi Gallery tours.
- Check out all the best paintings of the Uffizi not to be missed.
I won’t list all of Botticelli’s paintings exhibited at the Uffizi Gallery because they would be too many! But I’ll point out the ones that I think you shouldn’t really miss:
- The Birth of Venus
- The Spring (Primavera)
These are the most famous Botticelli paintings in the world, and also the most iconic ones (especially Venus). I guess you won’t want to miss them! The face of Venus is said to be that of Simonetta Vespucci, the most beautiful and admired woman in Renaissance Florence, who modeled for Botticelli. To learn more read my blogpost with some interesting facts about the Birth of Venus. But in the Botticelli rooms of the Uffizi there are many other unmissable masterpieces.
Pallas and the Centaur. One of Botticelli’s most symbolic and mysterious allegorical paintings.
Annunciation of San Martino alla Scala. This detached fresco is one of my favorite Botticelli’s paintings in Florence, with his beautiful, shy and dainty Virgin Mary, and the powerful Angel Gabriel descending from the sky.
- Madonna of the Pomegranate
- Madonna of the Magnificat
Those are two of Botticelli’s finest round paintings, with his elegant and delicate Madonnas for which he is so highly appreciated. Round paintings are typical of Florentine art, and were usually given to young couples as a wish for fertility.
Adoration of the Magi. The reason why this artwork is so famous is that some members of the Medici family from the second half of the fifteenth century are portrayed into it. Cosimo the Elder and his sons Piero and Giovanni are portrayed as the three Magi. There are also Lorenzo de’ Medici (the Magnificient) and his younger brother Giuliano. Perhaps there is even a self-portrait of Botticelli himself.
- Learn more about Lorenzo the Magnificent.
Portrait of a Man with a Medal of Cosimo the Elder. The person portrayed is unknown, but the object he holds in his hand certainly reveals a link with the Medici family. I like this painting a lot, the young man’s gaze is mesmerizing!
Fortitude. You won’t find this painting displayed in the Botticelli rooms with the other ones, but in the previous room dedicated to Antonio Pollaiolo. It’s part of a series of 7 panels representing the 7 virtues: 6 were painted by Pollaiolo, and only the Fortitude was painted by a young and ambitious Botticelli.
Botticelli’s paintings at the Accademia Gallery in Florence
The Accademia Gallery is predominantly known for hosting the most famous statue in the world, Michelangelo’s David (and 5 other sculptures by the same artist). But this museum also houses 3 paintings by Botticelli:
Virgin Mary with Jesus, baby St. John the Baptist and two angels. An early career artwork of Botticelli, made between 1468 and 1470.
Madonna of the Sea. Takes the name from the marine landscape in the background. The attribution of this painting is uncertain: it could have been done by Botticelli or by a young Filippino Lippi, who was an apprentice of Botticelli at the time. Filippino was the son of Filippo Lippi, Botticelli’s master.
Pala del Trebbio. A large painting representing the Virgin Mary and Jesus, surrounded by many saints, clearly made for the Medicis. One of them is Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence. And the two ones with red clothings and hats are Saint Cosma and Saint Damiano, patron saints of the Medici family.
You can find the three artworks exhibited in the Hall of the Colossus, the first room of the Accademia Gallery Museum, the one with deep blue walls. For more info:
Paintings by Botticelli at Palazzo PItti (Palatine Gallery)
Pitti Palace is a large complex made up of several museums, such as the Palatine Gallery (Galleria Palatina) and the Boboli Gardens. The Palatine Gallery 3 houses paintings by Sandro Botticelli:
Madonna with child and baby St. John the Baptist. The figure of St. John the Baptist as a child is typical of Florentine art. St. John and Jesus were second grade cousins, and in Florence they are often depicted together, as two children playing together.
Portrait of a young man – another beautiful portrait of a young Florentine from the second half of the 15th century.
Portrait of a young woman – this girl portrayed in profile is both elegant and melancholic. Some think it’s a portrait of Simonetta Vespucci (but most likely it’s another woman).
The three paintings can be found in the Hall of Prometheus (Sala di Prometeo) of the Palatine Gallery, at Pitti Palace.
Botticelli artwork in the Church of Ognissanti
In the church of Ognissanti there is only one painting by Sandro Botticelli, but it is one of my favorites and I recommend you not to miss it. It is the mural painting of Saint Augustine in his Studio (1480). Saint Augustine was an intellectual and a philosopher, he is depicted in his study, full of scientific instruments and symbols of knowledge. This painting is the twin of Saint Jerome in his studio, made in the same year by Domenico Ghirlandaio, and kept in the same church. Saint Jerome was also a scholar and a savant, and his study is full of books.
The church of Ognissanti is located in piazza Ognissanti, along the Arno river and a few steps from piazza Santa Maria Novella. Admission is free.
Botticelli’s paintings in the church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence
The church of Santa Maria Novella is crammed with works of art by the most important Florentine artists: Ghirlandaio, Masaccio, Brunelleschi, Giotto, Filippino Lippi, Paolo Uccello and many others. Among the many artists who worked there is also Botticelli, who painted a lunette with the Adoration of the Child. It’s a small detached fresco which is today on the inner wall of the church facade. It hangs high above the door.
Read more about the church and my guided tour of Santa Maria Novella.
Botticelli was a very active artist, with a long career, and produced dozens and dozens of paintings. Today are exhibited not only in Florence, but also in museums all over the world, including the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery in London, the Met in New York City and several museums in Berlin.
I hope this post has been useful for planning your visits to Florentine museums and finding all the Botticelli paintings in Florence. Write me a comment to let me know which one is your favorite!