Uffizi Observations
Florence, Italy | 2018 | Audience Insight Analysis
A Brief Look at le Galleria degli Uffizi
While studying abroad in Florence, Italy I was lucky enough to live no more than three minutes away from the Uffizi, Florence’s most prominent art museum. As a student of the Accademia di Bella Arti di Firenze, I was allowed free entrance. I visited at least once a week during my five months in Italy, each time learning something new about the collection, the museums, and the people that frequent it. Opened to the public in 1769, the Uffizi has long held a truly remarkable collection of paintings. I found myself taken with the art but visit after visit noticing more than just the work. I was analysing the exhibition design, the directed flow, the visitor behaviour. I took notes and conducted an examination for my own benefit, learning more about what I like in a museum and a place to work and be.
The Uffizi Gallery is a prominent art museum located adjacent to the Piazza della Signoria in the Historic Centre of Florence in the region of Tuscany, Italy. It contains one of the world's most important collections of paintings.
“I have never built anything more difficult or more dangerous, because the foundations stand above the riverbank, almost in mid-air. But it was necessary, among other reasons, to provide a place to attach, as we did, the great corridor that crosses the river from the ducal Palace to the Pitti palace and gardens. It took five months to complete the corridor according to my design, although it looks like the kind of project that would take at least five years.”
“I feel as though I have entered the pages of a history book.”
History
Before ever setting foot in Italy, I decided I had to do my research. I read countless books on the renaissance, the premier time of growth and activity in Florence. I knew I would spend hours at the Uffizi and I attempted to learn as much as possible about the building and collection. From conception to construction, I learned about the galleries. I was fascinated with the concept that the Uffizi was the first space
Uffizi exterior at night
Exhibition Design
I conducted a critical study of the exhibition design of the Uffizi comparing it to other major European institutions and American ones as well.
They follow the traditional two full bodied sculptures and a bust. The halls can feel overwhelming at times with the ornate ceilings, row of portraits, and sculptures.
Visitor Behaviour
how long do visitors spend at each piece?
desired flow / directed flow
total time spent in museum
label reading
conversation
photos - social media
Information Provided
It wasn’t until my sixth visit to the Uffizi that I managed to find the classic museum brochure. The Uffizi seems to be designed for more free wandering with little directed flow beyond the architecture. Object labels are brief and like with most of Europe, in the native language and English.