Discover the history of the Contini Bonacossi collection, an integral part of the Uffizi Gallery.
Since the beginning of the last century, the history of our estate has been intimately linked to a great love and respect for Italian artistic production. All this, thanks to the foresight of Mr. and Mrs. Vittoria and Alessandro Contini Bonacossi.
During the early years of the past century, Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, an antiques dealer of international prestige, amassed one of the largest private collections: paintings, sculptures, furniture and ceramics. In the selection of works of art he had very valuable help in his wife Vittoria, who was gifted with extraordinary insight.
After World War II, Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, who had assembled one of the largest private collections of paintings, sculptures, furniture, and ceramics, decided to donate his collection to the Italian State. This decision was respected by his heirs after his death in 1955. Among the 144 magnificent works included in the donation (paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and furniture) are pieces by Bellini, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Andrea del Sarto, Paolo Veronese, Velasquez, Goya, El Greco, and a splendid sculpture by Bernini. The Donation was formalized in 1969, thanks to a decree specifically designed and signed by former President of the Republic Giuseppe Saragat. From that moment, these works became the property of the Uffizi Gallery.
