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Chiostro dello Scalzo, Florence
Photo © John Samuel / WikiCommons
Photo © John Samuel / WikiCommons

Chiostro dello Scalzo, Florence

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Historical Buildings

The old headquarters of the Company of St. John the Baptist with frescoes by Andrea del Sarto

The Chiostro dello Scalzo is located in central Florence, along via Cavour, and it was the entry portico to the church of Compagnia dei Disciplinati di San Giovanni Battista (now in ruins), instituted in 1376 and “dello Scalzo” because the crossbearer went barefoot in processions.

The confraternity was suppressed in 1785 by Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena who ceded the property, with the exception of the cloister, designed by Giuliano da Sangallo and decorated by Andrea Del Sarto with 16 one-tone frescoes depicting episodes from the life of St. John the Baptist and the four virtues: Faith, Hope, Justice and Charity.

Executed between 1514 and 1524, the frescoes represent a high point in the artist’s style and technique, which played a fundamental role in the complex Florentine art scene in the early 16th century. Only two stories were painted by Franciabigio during Del Sarto’s time in Paris in 1518: the blession of St. John and his meeting with.

Accessibility information: feelflorence.it