Beato Angelico - Vicchio

Ignazio Hugford, The Holy Family and Saints, a detail with Santa Maria Maddalena de' PazziThe museum Beato Angelico started from an aim: the one of the share-farming world, a way of life that for centuries has characterized the Mugello territory.
The abandon of the houses in the '60s caused the abandon of many churches: no longer places of worship and so of an adequate safeguard of the Sacred art still kept in their interiors.
From here comes the need of a museum of Sacred Art and Devotion because by time liturgical paintings and furnishing have intertwined with the religious life of a community.
The museum wants to make the most of the "beauty" of each object exposed emphasizing in the meantime the relation with the local culture: in the logic of the "Diffused Museum" which considers the subjects dealt with in the rooms and show-cases as invitations to find them again and examine them in the reality of the territory. The dedication to Beato Angelico has not been made only for the reason that he was born in Vicchio, but also on the deep sense of his style: popular nobility and a complex of simplicity.
The visit starts with a sort of 'index' which anticipates the subjects dealt with in the following spaces: from the numerous and varied presence of the "sign of the cross" (precious crosses and crosses that have been on the wheat - sheaves ) to the long time dedicated of the Sacred (Etruscan and 18th and 19th century votive offerings) from the recovery and restoration of stolen works to sculptures which make us think of the people's devotion as well as the aesthetics quality (a bust by Andrea della Robbia).

The parishes have been important for the history and organization, (also social), of the Mugello territory. A map shows the arrangement while liturgical paintings and furnishings are set according to their origin. The most important are a collection of liturgical songs, various chalices and monstrance , an Annunciation by Furini and the Holy Family by Hugford.

Pilgrimages and processions confirmed the holy presence in the territory: a blow-up recalls the atmosphere, specified and enriched by the tabernacles by Campestri and Rupecanina and by the signs of the presence of religious companies (robes, registers of members).

Following the charm of all these works there is a documentary pause: sitting at a table it is possible to consult passages about the state of mind, parish diaries, Pastoral visits.

The end of the room, expands the space of the museum registering and proposing pictures of various kinds religious architecture visitable in the territory.

In the social-religious life of the Mugello, there are many works tied to distinguished orders but not only Medicean.

A Sacristy has been reconstructed: holy Vestments and candelabra are exposed inside original cupboards which were once gathered together in the sacristies.

The visit ends in a space where the works are exhibited alluding to their original placing: at the beginning a Baptismal Font and a 13th century bell, at the sides there are the altars (one of which dedicated to the devotion for our Lady) with several ornaments and paintings: among which the Virgin with Saints and Prophets by Maestro di Montefoscoli.