In the 16th century, Florence ended to be a republic, but the art is still was available for everyone. The sculptures of local masters could be seen on the streets of a city. But the citizens were no longer interested in arts.

That time more and more local painters were going to Venice, Rome or France. To save the cultural heritage of a city, the group of painters and sculptors asked Cosimo I de’ Medici to found the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. They wanted all the creative people from Europe to study there.

Medici accepted the idea to create the very first Academy of Fine Arts. It was founded in 1562 in Basilica Della Santissima-Annunziata. The first professors were the painters and sculptors Giorgio Vasari, Agnolo Bronzino, Bartolomeo Amamnnati.

The students study the works of Florence painters on the open air. The most talented were allowed to finish or transform the oeuvres. Some time later the Academy set a new course: restoration. Besides, professors teach young people painting, sculpture, architecture, making musical instruments.  

The initial goal was completed: studying in Florence became popular and all the pieces of art returned. According to the duke’s decree, all the art schools became a part of the Academy. There was also based a Gallery, where all the students could get close to the masterpieces and get inspired on a creating of their own. During the Napoleon wars, the collection grew, because the Rome church treasure was kept in the Gallery.