Today I was happy to visit the Renaissance masterpiece by Brunelleschi, the Ospedale deli Innocenti.  What a way to spend an afternoon.

This newly opened museum has something for everyone.  Gorgeous Renaissance architecture and the amazing history, beautifully presented with cutting edge museum design, of one of the world’s first orphanages.  If that isn’t enough, there is also a small but choice collection of paintings and some sculpture, including a Botticelli.  And, as if that isn’t enough, there is a lovely rooftop cafe, serving lovely drinks and coffees, and some nice food!  Beautiful views!

I can’t recommend this museum highly enough.

 

 

Great technology presents the history of the institution and the building.

 

The history of the institution is presented in a very understandable and visually interesting manner.

 

No detail is overlooked.

 

The labels are very understandable. I didn’t listen to the audio available, but you can see on the sign below that the audio tour stops here.

 

Over time, the ospedale not only took in and cared for orphans, it also provided technical training for many children.  This being Florence, of course one of the technical vocations trained for was artist’s assistant!

 

At least one of the children who found support at the ospedale was Giovan Battista Naldini, who had artistic talent which found expression after Pontormo.

 

 

One of the rooms in the museum has this amazing display of 140 small objects left with the babies deposited at the ospedale.  You can open any of the drawers and see the evocative mementos sometimes left with the babies.

 

 

The association of salt —  with the preservation of health— survived in Florence: a small supply of salt left with a child dropped anonymously at the Ospedale degli Innocenti, the foundling hospital, meant the infant was unbaptized.

King, Ross (2012-10-30). Leonardo and the Last Supper (p. 235). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.