“The return of Joseph, the prince of dreams” at the Salone dei Duecento

The Medici tapestries from the cycle “The return of Joseph, the prince of dreams” are back in the Salone dei Duecento, exhibited in rotation in five exhibition cycles. The twenty tapestries in the series are displayed, four at a time, according to their original location in the hall of Palazzo Vecchio.
Cosimo I, founded the Medicean Tapestry Factory in 1545, bringing to Florence two important Flemish tapestry masters, Jan Rost and Nicolas Karcher. They were the ones who, between 1545 and 1553, created the series of monumental cloths on display, based on cartoons drawn by Agnolo Bronzino, Jacopo Pontormo and Francesco Salviati.
Each of the twenty scenes that make up the cycle, represents a different episode in the life of Joseph, drawing an allegorical parallel with the political vicissitudes of Cosimo and the Medici family.

We are currently in the fourth exhibition cycle, which will last until August 30 and sees the following scenes on display: Joseph's cup found in Benjamin's sack, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo Bronzino, weaving by Nicolas Karcher, 1550-1553; Joseph holds Benjamin, drawing and cartoon by Pontormo, weaving by Jan Rost, 1546-1547; Joseph makes himself known to his brothers and dismisses the Egyptians, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo Bronzino, weaving by Nicolas Karcher, 1550-1553; Joseph forgives his brothers, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo Bronzino, weaving by Nicolas Karcher, 1550-1553.
At the end of this cycle, from September 1 to November 29 it will be the turn of other four tapestries: Meeting of Joseph with Jacob in Egypt, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo, weaving by Nicolas Karcher, 1550-1553; Pharaoh accepts Jacob into his kingdom, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo Bronzino, weaving by Jan Rost, 1553; Jacob blessing Joseph's children, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo Bronzino, weaving by Nicolas Karcher, 1550-1553; Burial of Jacob, drawing and cartoon by Agnolo Bronzino, weaving by Jan Rost, 1553.

Observing these monumental tapestries rich in detail, we can perceive how much work was behind every single piece produced by the manufactory of Cosimo I, the result of the collaboration of great Flemish tapestry makers and Italian artists. The exceptional location makes the exhibition even more suggestive.
The exhibition can only be visited by reservation by purchasing the Museum entrance ticket online at marchimusei.comune.fi.it