Hotel Savoy, at the Heart of Florence’s Art Scene

A trio of exciting artistic partnerships places Hotel Savoy and its guests at the heart of Florence’s vibrant art scene. 

We spoke to the curators and directors of three of the city’s most prestigious art institutions and events – Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, the Florence Art Biennale and Museo Novecento – for an insider’s view. Each presents an exhibition worth travelling for. Discover all three in Florence in autumn 2023.

Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi: Anish Kapoor

“Rocco Forte Hotels has been one of the founding partners of our foundation and of its mission, since its birth back to 20 years ago,” according to Arturo Galansino, General Director of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi. “Hotel Savoy has become a place specialising in creating occasions of meeting, sharing ideas and projects.” 

Continuing its 20-year collaboration with the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, Hotel Savoy is ideally positioned to explore Anish Kapoor’s autumn exhibition, "Untrue Unreal". Invited Rocco Forte Friends will attend a private view before the exhibition officially opens on 7th October 2023.

The exhibition is an opportunity “to lose and rediscover ourselves, prompting us to question what is untrue or unreal.” says Galansino. “Kapoor engaged with the Renaissance architecture,” says Galansino, inviting us to “connect in a new way to Palazzo Strozzi”. He hopes visitors will reflect on the artworks and see, “the boundaries between material and immaterial dissolve”.

Florence Art Biennale

Recent guests of honour at Hotel Savoy have included well-known artists such as Maccapani Missoni – whose artworks adorn our walls – and David LaChapelle who is honoured at this year’s Florence Art Biennale.

“Among the most talented and influential artists of our time,” according to Jacopo Celona, Director of the Florence Biennale. LaChapelle’s works – including some previously unpublished photographs – are displayed at the impressive Fortezza da Basso, a fort embedded within the fourteenth century walls of Florence.

Travel to Italy for the Florence Biennale to see artists from over 80 countries across the world. It’s “a great opportunity for everyone visiting to meet the artists directly, live their experiences and to understand the world through their eyes,” says Celona.

Noteworthy shows include a large exhibition of designs and models by world-renowned architects Santiago Calatrava and special projects such as the Amalia Del Ponte exhibition showcasing the radical architecture of Florentine collective, Gruppo 9999, as well as a space dedicated to Italian design.

Museo Novecento

Strengthening our close ties with modern art specialists Museum Novecento, we were proud to sponsor the recent exhibition by Iranian-American artist Y.Kami. ‘Light, Gaze, Presence’ presented a chance to see select works across four beautiful locations in Florence: Museo Novecento itself, Museo di Palazzo Vecchio in the towering town hall, within the 15th century former orphanage of Museo degli Innocenti, and in Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte, atop one of the city’s highest vantage points.

A seven-minute walk from Hotel Savoy, Museum Novecento presents modern Italian art in the antique setting of Spedale of the Leopoldine, once a 13th century hospital, overlooking Santa Maria Novella Square. 

For the best way to explore the modern day art scene in Florence, allow our well-connected concierge team at Hotel Savoy, via email at concierge.savoy@roccofortehotels.com or by telephone on +39 05 52735836, and ask them to arrange a private tour of the city’s latest art exhibitions.