Palazzo Morrocchi, Florence

Palazzo Morrocchi is a palace of both architectural and historical importance, located on one of the Florence’ss most prestigious streets, Via Cavour, which intersects the square of the Cathedral of Florence. This palace was the meeting place of the avant-garde Tuscan group of artists known as ‘I Macchiaoli’, or the Impressionists.  Café Michelangelo’s history represents an important era in the history of Tuscan art and the art history of Italy. One member of the group of artists that frequented the Caffe’ Michelangelo was the academic painter Annibale Gatti (born in Forli’ in 1827), who was asked to paint rooms in the palace.  The paintings represent scenes of famous operas and allegorical paintings, in Gatti’s unique style which combined Romanticism and Realism.  The site now is home to the Hotel dei Macchiaoli.