Posts tagged Johan Zoffany

Johan Zoffany, The Tribuna of the Uffizi, 1777

Over 500 years old and one of the few European royal treasuries still intact, the Royal Collection contains more than a million objects—each one handpicked by a member of the British monarchy. The Tribuna is one of Queen Charlotte’s contributions:

In the summer of 1772 Zoffany set off for Florence with £300, letters of introduction and a commission from the Queen to paint highlights of the Grand Duke of Tuscany’s collection shown within the Tribuna of the Uffizi Palace…

…[A]ccording to Lord Winchilsea, one of the sitters, the task was: ‘really one of the Most laborious undertakings I ever saw. For he [Zoffany] not only Copies a great Many Pictures & Statues & the Room &c. which is a great deal to do, but even the Frames & every the most minute thing Possible the small bronzes, the Table &c. to make it be a compleat & exact representation of the Room.’ (letter to Lady Charlotte Finch, 2 January 1773)