Augusto Burchi e la cultura revivalistica a Firenze

In the Florence of the second half of the 19th century, the cult of the past was of primary importance. The life and work of Augusto Burchi (1853-1919) could be interpreted as a paradigmatic example of this cultural milieu, of its patrons and its goals. Burchi’s training – that was not academic - shows the rediscovery and assimilation of styles from the past by local decorators and craftsmen while the analysis of some his most important works helps to appreciate the different meanings accorded to this peculiar ornamental language by an élite of both local and foreigners rich patrons. The final phase of his artistic career also reveals a change in the public eye: indeed, a new trend for ‘modern’ decoration is emerging.