Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi
Museum | Lucca | Tuscany | Italy
The Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi in Lucca is an outstanding example of the opulent residential culture of the upper class in Lucca in the 17th and 18th centuries. The palace, originally built in the late 16th century and redesigned in the Baroque style between 1686 and 1691 by Raffaello Mazzanti, now houses a significant collection of artworks and historical furniture.
Architecture and Interior Spaces
The palace preserves many of its original decorations, including magnificent ceiling frescoes, stucco work, and original furniture pieces. Particularly noteworthy is the "Camera degli Sposi," equipped with richly decorated tapestries and a canopy bed. Another highlight is the "Salone della Musica," adorned with frescoes by Gian Gioseffo del Sole and architectural frames by Marcantonio Chiarini. The "Sala degli Specchi" features a neoclassical style from the early 19th century. Some salons are furnished with Flemish tapestries and precious curtains, reflecting the opulent residential culture of the time. The "Stanza dell'Alcova" is equipped with embroidered tapestries and a canopy bed.
Collections and Exhibitions
On the first floor of the palace is the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Lucca, which houses a significant collection of paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries. Outstanding works include:
- "Portrait of Alessandro de' Medici" by Jacopo da Pontormo
- "Portrait of Don Garzia de' Medici as a Child" by Agnolo Bronzino
- "The Continence of Scipione Africanus" by Domenico Beccafumi
- "Crucifixion between Saints Catherine of Alexandria and Giulio" by Guido Reni
- "Portrait of a Venetian Senator" by Tintoretto
These works represent various schools of Italian painting and provide a comprehensive overview of the art history of the region.
On the second floor of the palace, works by Luccan artists from the 19th and 20th centuries are exhibited, reflecting the local art scene of these periods. The former kitchens of the palace now house the "Laboratorio di Tessitura Rustica Maria Niemack," a center for the preservation and promotion of traditional Luccan weaving techniques.
Significance and Influence
The Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi offers a unique insight into the lifestyle and artistic taste of the Luccan aristocracy of past centuries. The careful restoration and presentation of the rooms and collections allow visitors to experience the splendor and wealth of the time and develop a deeper understanding of the cultural history of the region.
