The church of St. Mary in Olmi, of ancient origin but with its current appearance dating to the last century, preserves an important group of works from the San Lorenzo Furnaces. The church was heavily damaged by the 1919 earthquake. In 1935, the façade was rebuilt, and during that restoration, its central oculus, previously semicircular, was redone. This is also when the stained-glass window depicting Christ the King, which now fills the oculus of the façade, was installed.
Iconographically, the stained glass recalls other earlier works from the Fornaci San Lorenzo, such as the lunettes in the churches of Pulicciano and San Martino a Scopeto, or the large stained glass in the oratory of San Omobono. However, the monumental sculptural quality of the design seems to point to Tito Chini, albeit with influences from his brother Galileo Chini, especially in the splendid frame featuring broken line motifs.
The other six stained-glass windows in the main nave, semi-circular in shape, are framed with ovolo motifs and each contains a beautiful tondo at the center, showcasing the coats of arms of notable local families. The sheer number of these windows, which, in their decorative simplicity, focus attention entirely on the central coats of arms, suggests the possibility of an intervention by Galileo Chini himself.
The two circular windows at the head of the small transept feature a simple yet dazzling decorative motif of golden rays. On the wall of the left nave, a large commemorative plaque honoring the residents of Olmi who fell in the First World War is embedded in the wall. The marble slab is framed by majolica elements stylistically attributable to the Fornaci San Lorenzo. The plaque, for which it seems the Furnaces only provided some decorative components, is dated December 6, 1925.
Scheda di Marco Pinelli, foto di Marta Magherini
© Il Filo – Idee e Notizie dal Mugello
Progetto Itinerario Liberty Mugello – Unione montana dei Comuni del Mugello
