Francesco Redi Exhibition in Arezzo: 70 Works for the Quadricentennial

Francesco Redi Exhibition in Arezzo: 70 Works for the Quadricentennial

From today until 7 June 2026 the Galleria Comunale d’Arte Contemporanea in Arezzo hosts "Francisci Redi patricii arretini: the (re)discovery of a genius", a bibliographic exhibition curated by Elisa Boffa that explores the encyclopedic culture of Francesco Redi, a central figure in 17th-century Italian science and letters.

Personal physician to the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and deeply rooted in his native Arezzo, Redi moved between disciplines—anatomy, philology, scientific experimentation and poetry. The exhibition highlights this breadth through rare books, manuscripts and archival materials presented by the Fondazione Guido d’Arezzo in collaboration with the Municipality and the Library of Arezzo, under the patronage of the Tuscany Region.

The show is arranged in nine thematic sections and features about seventy items. Highlights include:

• the Book of Memories, started by Redi in his twenties and displayed for the first time;
• illustrations and engravings commissioned by Redi;
• dictionaries from the Accademia della Crusca with manuscript glosses;
• rare printed editions purchased by Redi and documents from his extensive correspondence with publishers and booksellers;
• curiosities such as period recipes (including jasmine-flavored chocolate) and literary writings, among them a playful encomium to Tuscan wines that became a proper text.

The nine thematic sections are: Francesco, memories and genealogy; Redi’s library; The unbreakable bond with Arezzo; From vipers onward: the scientific works; On the use of language: dictionaries and academicians; Bacchus and other literary writings; Scholars, colleagues and pupils; Redi’s descendants; After him: posthumous works.

Opening: the exhibition opens to the public with an inauguration today at 6 PM; attendees include Mayor Ghinelli, regional culture councillor Cristina Manetti and curator Elisa Boffa.

Where and when: Galleria Comunale d’Arte Contemporanea, Piazza S. Francesco, Arezzo. The exhibition runs until 7 June 2026.

Organisers: Fondazione Guido d’Arezzo, in collaboration with the Municipality and the Library of Arezzo. Recommended for visitors interested in a documentary and critical portrait of one of the leading figures of 17th-century Italian intellectual life.