Florence’s historic Drawing Academy, AADFI – which has been open continuously since 1563 – was conceived by Giorgio Vasari and founded by Cosimo I de’ Medici, as an association for artists at a time when painters still belonged to the Guild of Physicians and Spice Makers, because their craft involved the grinding of colours. Accademia delle Arti del Disegno President Dr. Cristina Acidini reveals the secrets of this intriguing venue at the very heart of Florence's art history, whose ranks include Michelangelo, Bronzino and Artemisia Gentileschi, the first-ever woman granted membership, in 1615.

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The AADFI's historic female members include Irene Duclos, Violante Siries Cerroti, Violante Ferroni and even contemporary sculptor Amalia Ciardi Dupre. In Artemisia’s time it also had a judicial function. Twice, Artemisias suppliers (whom she did not pay) went to the Accademia to complain… they found her ‘guilty’ and she sought the intervention of Grand Duke Cosimo II, who had the conviction quashed. When she was accused a second time by another of her clients, she was found guilty and the decision was left standing.

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This event was sponsored by AWA and organised in conjunction with The Florentine.