The origins of Master Giorgio Vasari and the link with Arezzo
Master Giorgio Vasari was born on July 30, 1511, in Arezzo, a city that profoundly influenced his early artistic and cultural experiences. Son of Antonio Vasari, a textile merchant, and Maddalena Tacci, young Giorgio showed a keen interest in art from an early age. He attended the workshop of Guillaume de Marcillat, celebrated author of the magnificent stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of San Donato. There Vasari learned the basics of drawing and composition. While attending the shop he followed the lessons of the polygraph Giovanni Pollio Lappoli, who provided him with a solid humanistic education. In Arezzo Vasari completed his first architectural works allowing himself to be inspired by Michelangelo’s influences.
Master Giorgio Vasari and his training between Arezzo, Florence and Rome
After his early formative experiences in Arezzo, Master Giorgio Vasari continued his journey in Florence, the beating heart of the Renaissance. Here, thanks to Cardinal Silvio Passerini, he entered the Medici circle and perfected his skills under the guidance of leading artists such as Andrea del Sarto and Baccio Bandinelli. Attending the workshop of these masters, Vasari developed a remarkable skill in drawing and a refined perspective ability, fundamental to his future works. During this period, he also studied letters and humanism under Pierio Valeriano, supplementing his artistic knowledge with a deep literary culture.
Between 1531 and 1532, Vasari moved to Rome with his friend Francesco Salviati, where he deepened his study of ancient monuments and the works of masters such as Michelangelo and Raphael. These formative years, spent between Florence and Rome, represented a decisive phase in the artist’s personal and professional growth, indeed laying the foundations of his Mannerist style.
Vasari architect: from the Uffizi to the Vasarian Loggias
Master Giorgio Vasari’s career as an architect established him as one of the most influential figures of the late Renaissance. Among his most famous works is the Uffizi complex in Florence, designed in 1560 on commission from Cosimo I de’ Medici. The Uffizi, conceived as the seat of the duchy’s administrative offices, is distinguished by its elegance and functionality, harmoniously combining classical and Renaissance architectural elements.
In Arezzo, meanwhile, Vasari left a significant imprint with the Vasarian Loggias, located in Piazza Grande. These loggias, built with understated refinement, blend perfectly with the surrounding architecture, giving the square a solemn and harmonious appearance.
Vasari’s architectural works, characterized by careful attention to detail and the ability to combine aesthetics and practicality, still represent a cultural heritage of inestimable value, testifying to the multifaceted genius of this illustrious artist from Arezzo.
Master Giorgio Vasari painter and his contribution to Mannerism
Master Giorgio Vasari was a prolific and innovative painter, becoming one of the leading exponents of Tuscan-Roman Mannerism. Although often overshadowed by giants such as Michelangelo and Raphael, Vasari was able to distinguish himself through his style rich in narrative detail, articulate compositions, and a strong scenographic component. Among his best-known paintings are the Sala dei Cento Giorni in Rome’s Palazzo della Cancelleria and the Sala Regia in the Vatican, where his narrative skills and taste for complex decoration emerge.
Vasari also excelled in sacred painting, producing altarpieces and frescoes characterized by a lively mannerist expressiveness. In Venice, his influence helped renew the local art scene, leaving a significant imprint.
Despite some criticism for the repetitiveness of the figures, Vasari’s pictorial work fits fully into the Mannerist spirit, establishing him as an important innovator and popularizer of this style in Italy.
The “Lives” and Vasari’s role as an art historian
Giorgio Vasari is universally recognized as the first art historian of the modern era, thanks to his monumental work Le Vite de’ più eccellenti pittori, scultori e architettori. Published in 1550 and reissued with additions in 1568, this work represents a milestone in art historiography. Organized into biographies, The Lives recounts the lives and works of more than 160 artists, tracing a path from Cimabue to the Renaissance.
Vasari’s work was not merely a collection of data, but offered a critical analysis that profoundly influenced the way art was interpreted. The author emphasized the central role of Florence as the cradle of the artistic “rebirth,” coining the term “Renaissance.”
Thanks to his work, many artists found lasting celebrity, while his biographical approach remains an indispensable model for later art and historical studies, making him a true precursor of modern art criticism.
Vasari House in Arezzo: a treasure to discover
In the heart of Arezzo is Master Giorgio Vasari ‘s house, now converted into a museum celebrating the life and work of this illustrious artist. Purchased and decorated by Vasari himself, the residence reflects his refined taste and artistic sensibility. The interiors, embellished with fine frescoes, offer a unique glimpse into his pictorial mastery and Renaissance culture.
Particularly striking is the Camera di Abramo, decorated with biblical scenes with a poetic and harmonious tone, showing the artist’s narrative skill. The house also preserves documents and materials related to the writing of Lives, making it a place of extraordinary historical importance.
Visiting Casa Vasari is an experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the private and professional life of one of the most influential artists of his time, discovering an intimate side of a multifaceted character who was deeply connected to his hometown.
B&B Cento Passi dal Duomo: the ideal starting point to discover Arezzo
Located in Arezzo’s Old Town, B&B Cento Passi dal Duomo is the ideal choice for those who wish to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of the city. Thanks to its strategic location, just a short walk from the Cathedral of San Donato and the Vasarian Loggias, this cozy B&B offers visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty of the place with extreme comfort.
Guests can enjoy an authentic experience, staying in an elegant and meticulously detailed property that combines the charm of Tuscan tradition with modern comforts. After a day dedicated to discovering artistic wonders, such as Casa Vasari and Piazza Grande, our B&B is the perfect retreat to relax.
Choosing the B&B Cento Passi dal Duomo means staying in Arezzo in the heart of its history, fully experiencing the enchantment of a Renaissance city.