About to go on show again at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is Sandro Botticelli’s Pala di Sant’Ambrogio, the Madonna and Child altarpiece work painted by Botticelli when he was just 25.
The Uffizi began the restoration work in 2018 and the piece was ‘presented’ yesterday in advance of it being put on public display once more. The restoration process revealed what was called the ‘artistic torment’ of the young artist, with clear evidence of many alterations carried out during its creation.
The position of the infant, the direction of the gaze of Saint Cosma, details of clothing, the addition of the throne plinth, changing details of hands and eyes – this was a work that was not executed with one clear vision from the offset!
Uffizi Gallery, Florence – tickets and guided tours
