FURINI, Francesco
(b. 1603, Firenze, d. 1646, Firenze)

View of the north wall

1638-42
Fresco
Palazzo Pitti, Florence

The picture shows the north wall of the Salone Terreno (Room of Giovanni da San Giovanni) on the ground floor of the Palazzo Pitti. It shows Lorenzo de' Medici and the Accademia Platonica in Careggi (left) and Allegory of the Death of Il Magnifico (right).

Lorenzo is shown at the Villa Careggi, a view of which is seen in the background, with members of the Platonic Academy founded by Marsilio Ficino. Among them it is possible to identify Poliziano, Landinio, and Pico della Mirandola. They are grouped around a seated figure of Plato. Lorenzo extends his hand to Philosophy, depicted as a female nude seen from the back.

The Allegory was inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso and is associated with Lorenzo's rise to immortality.