Accademia Gallery in Firenze, Florence, Italy | Museum

The Accademia Gallery, Firenze, stands on a site formerly occupied by the ancient Monastery of San Matteo and Convent of San Niccolò di Cafaggio whose grounds covered the entire area lying between Piazza Santissima Annunziata and Via Ricasoli.

The Accademia Gallery, Firenze, building has the form of a Latin-cross church.

The side wings and the Galleria dei Prigioni are located in what was formerly the medieval Hospital of San Matteo, while the Tribune was built between 1873 and 1882 to house the statue of David according to a design by the architect Emilio De Fabris.

The nucleus of the collection was formed in 1784 when the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo donated to the Accademia Gallery, a group of antique paintings belonging to various schools of art and intended to serve as models for the students.

In 1785, and in 1808-1810, the Gallery's collection was enlarged through the acquisition of works following the suppression of religious orders during that period.

In 1873, the David formerly standing in front of Palazzo Vecchio, in Piazza della Signoria, was moved to the Gallery. Exposure to atmospheric pollutants had caused considerable damage to Michelangelo's masterpiece, but this was not the only motive for its transfer to the Academy.

In fact, preparations were being made for a great exhibition on Michelangelo to be held in 1875 on the occasion of the fourth centenary of his birth, after which the intention was to establish a Museum on Michelangelo containing original works, casts, and drawings. From then on the Accademia began to turn into a Michelangelo Museum.