I have seen the TRIBUNA OF THE UFFIZI several times in the QUEEN’S GALLERY at Buckingham Palace. This incredible painting is the consummate pictorial of the 18th Century GRAND TOUR where British subjects traveled through Europe enjoying and acquiring vast amount of art to hang in their new ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSES. King George III and Queen Charlotte never visited Italy; however, they acquired numerous paintings through representatives for Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. The Joseph Smith collection added some of the great Canaletto and Guardi canvases to the Royal Collection. This large canvas THE TRIBUNA is one of the finest of Zoffany’s work and was reluctantly received by the King and Queen who didn’t like all their contemporaries in the painting when they themselves were unable to be there themselves. It is a great historical document for later generations. I have found a “map” showing what is what and who is who; I think it is fascinating. Also, on the Royal Collection website, this painting is highlighted where you move your computer mouse over the image and it will tell you who the people are and where the paintings show are today. Fascinating.
The other great canvas painted by Zoffany for King George III was the ACADEMICIANS OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY. King George III was the Patron of the Royal Academy, and he was intensely interested in the artists and the paintings. He attended several of the Royal Academy Exhibitions and bought paintings for Buckingham House and Windsor Castle. I understand the King as I love to buy paintings for my walls and delight in looking at them–much smaller scale than the King’s ability to acquire, that’s for sure. Fascinating story behind this great image. We will talk about it later.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
