Art Lecture with Thomas Germano - Savonarola and the Bonfire of the Vanities

Inspired by Fra Savonarola's extremist public oratory, followers searched houses and public buildings for the sinful worldly art that he condemned including Renaissance nude idolatrous imagery. In 1497 Savonarola’s devotees held a "Bonfire of the Vanities" - a conflagration to deliberately destroy art, books, paintings and sculpture of profane subjects, as well as mirrors, cards, clothing, dice, musical instruments, and jewelry.  Botticelli was so affected by Savonarola that he abandoned painting altogether for several years, as did the High Renaissance artist Fra Bartolomeo who along with Lorenzo di Credi burned all his paintings and drawings to show penitence for his sins. Other artists directly affected included the Della Robbia family of artists and the young Michelangelo Buonarroti who would recall Savonarola’s chilling public orations.  Savonarola repeatedly attacked the Medici, and Pope Alexander VI in Rome, leading to his fatal downfall. Join Professor Thomas Germano as he presents a visual lecture about the art and censorship in Florence Italy during Savonarola’s ‘Bonfires’ of visual culture.  This program is part of the Library's month-long exploration of the topics of censorship and freedom of expression.  (Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)

Please note this will be a hybrid event.  Participants are invited to join us in-person or virtually on Zoom.

CLICK HERE to register for in-person attendance

CLICK HERE to register for Zoom attendance