Built starting in 1929, the San Francesco rest home is adorned with works executed by the San Lorenzo Furnaces and decorators from the Chini family. In the square in front of the entrance stands a brick tabernacle, inside of which is a ceramic panel depicting Saint Francis, signed by Augusto Chini and dated to the sixth year of the Fascist era (1928).
Inside the building, just past the entrance, we find another image of Saint Francis, sculpted in almost full round by Guido Calori, a sculptor closely associated with the Chini manufactory. Created in the 1940s, it was donated by Chino Chini to the founder of the institution, Father Massimo of Porretta.
In the council chamber, there is a monumental Crucifix, a prime example of Chini’s production inspired directly by Renaissance works, such as Donatello’s crucifixes.
The Men’s Refectory houses a large lunette with the Annunciation, executed by Augusto Chini in 1957, a copy of a work by Robbia, along with a polychrome terracotta martyr saint. This piece is also notable because it bears the lozenge mark, used by the San Lorenzo Furnaces in the later stages of its production, starting in 1939.
The Women’s Refectory features two ceramic tile panels: the first depicts two winged cherubs holding the inscription “SALVE”, while the second shows three cherubs against a blue background. These two pieces date from the 1930s but were likely derived from cartoons by Galileo Chini created in the early years of the second decade of the 20th century.
The staircase area features a sandstone slab depicting The Savior, a composition similar to that used on the tombstone of Leto Chini in Scarperia, dating back to around 1910, and most likely designed by Galileo Chini.
After a polychrome tile plaque depicting the Sacred Heart by Pompeo Batoni, one of the most iconic devotional images, the collection of Chini’s works continues at the entrance to the mass chapel, where two polychrome terracotta roundels are displayed, one showing the Archangel Gabriel from the Annunciation by Andrea della Robbia.
More striking and original is the lunette visible inside the mortuary chapel, depicting Christ in Piety, a smaller version of the one on the façade of the Misericordia Oratory in Borgo San Lorenzo, probably the work of Galileo Chini. Additionally, there is another ceramic panel showing the Madonna and Child with St. John, seemingly another creation by Galileo.
Finally, at the back of the building, outside, there is another polychrome ceramic lunette depicting Christ, created by the San Lorenzo Furnaces based on a design by Galileo Chini.
Scheda di Marco Pinelli, foto di Francesco Noferini
© Il Filo – Idee e Notizie dal Mugello
Progetto Itinerario Liberty Mugello – Unione montana dei Comuni del Mugello
