Athens Reporter

The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia is set to host an exhibition titled “Beyond the Medici: The Haukohl Family Collection” from February 1 to May 18, 2025. This exhibition showcases the largest and most significant collection of Florentine baroque art outside Italy, assembled by Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl over more than four decades. Haukohl, a cofounder of the Medici Archive Project, emphasizes how Florentine artists from the 17th and 18th centuries have influenced European art history, politics, and philosophy.

The core of this collection features allegories, religious motifs, genre scenes, and portraits by artists such as Jacopo da Empoli, Felice Ficherelli, Francesco Furini, and Onorio Marinari. Additionally, the exhibition highlights Florence's intellectual history during the Medici grand dukes' reign through works by artists like Antonio Monauti. Monauti’s polychrome stucco reliefs depict Renaissance figures Michelangelo Buonarroti, Niccolò Machiavelli, Marsilio Ficino, and Galileo Galilei.

A notable inclusion in the exhibition is artwork spanning three generations of the Dandini family over more than a century. Cesare Dandini initiated a school focusing on classical themes with female figures designed to attract private collectors. His brother Vincenzo contributed representations of St. Mark the Evangelist and Juno to the exhibition. Pietro Dandini’s large canvas “Esther Before Ahasuerus” adds vibrant color to the show.

Overall, “Beyond the Medici” reflects Florentine baroque’s deep interest in science and drawing-based painting (disegno). Many artworks are displayed in period frames from the 17th century. The Haukohl family's tradition in art collecting mirrors that of the Medicis and promises visitors many surprises.

Florence was a vital arts center during the High Renaissance due to patronage from powerful Medici bankers and politicians who continued commissioning art into the baroque era. Haukohl’s focus on Florentine baroque illuminates this unique period characterized by sensuousness, religiosity, poetry, and classicism.

Haukohl stated: “The important scholarship and superior humanities programs offered at the University of Georgia immediately drew us to include the Georgia Museum of Art in the American tour of the Medici Collection. We look forward to sharing with students and broad communities of Georgia the joy of the baroque.”

Several related events accompany this exhibition:

- Elegant Salute XVIII: Baroque and Beyond gala followed by Rock Me Amadeus Dance Party on February 1.

- A life-drawing class inspired by baroque art on February 8.

- Student Night on February 13 hosted by Georgia Museum of Art Student Association.

- Emerging Scholars Symposium presented with UGA’s Association of Graduate Art Students on February 20-21.

- An After Hours reception on February 21.

- Winter open house with Family Day activities on February 22.

- A talk by Paola De Santo on March 26.

- A conversation about Pietro Dandini’s painting “Esther Before Ahasuerus” on April 16.

Family Day receives sponsorship from Heyward Allen Cadillac-GMC-Toyota while Student Night is supported by UGA Parents Leadership Council. Most programs are free unless specified otherwise.

“Beyond the Medici” was organized with support from Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl and Haukohl Philanthropies.