12 Best Paintings at the Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is a must-see. Es el museo más visitado de Florencia, así como de Italia en general, y alberga algunas de las obras de arte más importantes del mundo como ‘La Primavera’ y ‘El Nacimiento de Venus’ de Botticelli, ‘La Virgen del Jilguero’ de Rafael, Tondo Doni' by Michelangelo, 'Madonna and Child with two Angels' by Filippo Lippi, 'La Maestà di Ognissanti' by Giotto, 'Bacchus' by Caravaggio and 'The Portrait of the Dukes of Urbino' by Piero della Francesca, among others. Do you want to know all the works you can see during your visit? Read on.

And if you want additional information about the art gallery, check out the post Uffizi Gallery tickets In addition, you can learn about other suggestions for your trip to the capital of Tuscany in the article what to see and do in Florence

La Primavera' is one of Sandro Botticelli's masterpieces. It was painted between 1477 and 1482 at the height of the Italian Renaissance and is an allegory of spring. This work, which measures 2.03 x 3.14 metres, was commissioned by Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de Medici.

There are various interpretations of this key work in Botticeli's career, which is notable for the elegance of its figures and the impeccable use of colour. But most agree that the central figure is that of Venus, who represents the harmony and balance between nature and spiritual values (on the left of the painting) and civilisation and material values (on the right). A fascinating work.

• This work can be found in... rooms 10/14.

Painted between 1482 and 1485, 'The Birth of Venus' is another of Botticelli's great works. It is notable for its large dimensions, 278.5 cm by 172.5 cm, and is one of the earliest examples of painting on canvas from the Tuscan region. It is characterised by its technique and the quality of the materials used, including alabaster dust.

This work has various meanings and depicts in the centre of the painting a nude Venus in a shell on the seashore as an allegory of the birth of love, as well as of spiritual beauty. To her left the winds are blowing flowers and to her right a servant is covering her with a cloth.

• This work can be found in... rooms 10/14.

Created by Michelangelo after his first stay in Rome, the Tondo Doni or Holy Family dates from the same period as the David, between 1506 and 1508, and is considered one of the great works of 16th-century Italian art, as well as one of the few paintings by the artist alongside the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. It was commissioned by the banker Agnolo Doni and measures 120 cm by 120 cm.

In an extraordinary wooden frame carved by Michelangelo himself, the work shows Mary, Joseph and the Child, with a series of nude figures in the background. It is a painting that marked a turning point in history, as it laid the foundations for the Mannerist style that would later be widely used by great artists and which advocated unnatural postures that lent a characteristic movement to the work. It is precisely this strange position that can be seen in the figure of Mary.

• This work can be found in... room 35.

The diptych 'The Portrait of the Dukes of Urbino' was painted by Piero della Francesca between 1465 and 1472 and is one of the major works of the Italian Renaissance.

It portrays the dukes and spouses Federigo da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza in profile, as was customary in the classical period, although the choice of this shot was more of an obligation because Federigo da Montefeltro lost his right eye in a tournament. In the background of the paintings is a large, deep landscape, reflecting the power of the court. One of the curiosities of this work is that it is also painted on the back.

• This work is located in... room 8.

The Madonna of the Goldfinch is one of Raphael's key works in which we can see the features that characterise his painting: the gentle faces of the figures, the magnificent use of colour, the intimacy of the figures and the naturalistic representation of the landscape. The painter was also greatly influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, from whom he adopted some of the characteristics of his painting, such as the soft lighting, the dialogue between the figures and the pyramidal arrangement of the figures.

This work, measuring 107 cm. by 77 cm., which has been badly damaged since the 16th century, has been restored on several occasions, but it was not until the last restoration in 2008 that it reached its full splendour.

• This work is located in... room 66.

Executed around 1465 by Filippo Lippi, 'Madonna and Child with Two Angels' is one of the most popular works of the Italian Renaissance and has a curious history. Lippi was a Carmelite monk who fell in love with the nun Lucrezia Buti. They had a secret affair until they renounced religious life and had children, among them Filippino, a famous painter and friend of Botticelli.

In 'The Virgin and Child with Two Angels', measuring 100 cm by 71 cm, the Virgin Mary is depicted with an elegant hairstyle decorated with a veil and pearls. She stands in profile praying in front of the child who is held by two angels. Behind them is a landscape inspired by Flemish-style paintings. The peculiarity of this work is that many interpret the Virgin's face as a portrait of Lucrezia.

• This work can be found in... room 8.

The Venus of Urbino' is a work by Titian, which dates from 1538 and was commissioned by the Duke of Urbino, Guidobaldo II della Rovere, as a gift for his wife. Identified by many as an allegory of marriage, it is primarily notable for its sensuality, although it also has other significant features such as eroticism, motherhood and fidelity.

In this painting, measuring 1.19 m. by 1.65 m., Venus, the goddess of love, is depicted in a sensual and erotic manner, appealing to the viewer. Next to her feet is a dog, as a sign of the fidelity of marriage. And in the background, a servant girl looks at a girl looking into a drawer as a symbol of motherhood. It is notable for its excellent use of colour and contrasts.

• This work can be found in... room 83.

Caravaggio was a turning point in the history of art. His painting was characterised by the use of warm colours, as well as by its realism and the depiction of humble characters.

Painted at the end of the 16th century, 'Bacchus', an oil on panel measuring 98 cm by 84 cm, was a gift from Cardinal del Monte to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando I. Precisely in this painting, Bacchus is depicted as a humble, village youth reflecting humanity. He holds in his left hand a glass of wine that stands out for its transparency and there are other common objects such as a basket of fruit.

• This work can be found in... room 90.

Giotto revolutionized the history of painting and the way of representing men being one of the main artists of the Renaissance. La Maestà di Ognissanti ' is a large altarpiece, measuring 204 cm by 325 cm, which he painted for the Ognissanti Church in Florence around 1310. Mary is shown seated on a throne holding the child and the angels are in the foreground. The space is characteristically well-defined and the folds of clothing define the figures in the scene.

• This work is located in... room 2.

This work by Domenico Veneziano was executed between 1445 and 1447 and depicts the Madonna and Child in the centre. Next to her are Saint Francis and Saint John the Baptist on the left and Saint Zenobius on the right. The altarpiece is probably the oldest one without a gilded background and rectangular in shape, as well as the luminous colours. It is also notable for the use of bright light as a fundamental element that enters through the upper right-hand edge.

• This work is located in... room 7.

The first female member of the Accademia di Arti del Disegno in Florence, Artemisia Gentileschi was a renowned and progressive Italian painter of the 17th century. Her paintings are characterised by their depiction of strong women. Specifically, in 'Judith Beheading Holofernes', the biblical heroine is depicted beheading her enemy, the Assyrian leader Holofernes.

• This work can be found in... room 90.

Also known under the title Pala Strozzi, this large altarpiece with carved wooden frame dates from 1423 and is by Gentile da Fabriano. Commissioned by Palla Strozzi, it is one of the international Gothic style paintings, characterised by sophisticated forms, refined garments and courtly poses. It depicts the procession of the Magi and behind them is the portrait of Palla Strozzi.

• This work can be found in... room 7.

On your visit to the Uffizi Gallery keep in mind the following recommendations to make your visit as successful as possible:

• Buy your ticket in advance: The Uffizi Gallery is the most visited museum in Florence. It receives a large number of visitors every day and it is important to book your ticket in advance to avoid long queues and unnecessary time spent at the ticket office. You can also buy a ticket with priority access. The cheapest tickets for the Uffizi Gallery are priced from €30 on Hellotickets.
• Check the map: Before starting your visit it is advisable to check the map to see where the works you are most interested in are located and start your tour in that area.
• Go early in the morning: Due to the large number of visitors that visit the Uffizi Gallery every day, it is preferable to go early in the morning to be able to see the art gallery as calmly and comfortably as possible.

And after your visit to the Uffizi Gallery, don't hesitate to go and see the Accademia Gallery. Also, I advise you to visit the post the best museums in Florence and create the best programme for your trip.