In the Cloisters-Vintage Lithograph by N. Barducci-Santa Maria Novella Basilica

This wonderful lithograph gives the viewer a glimpse into the majestic splendor of the early Rennaissance. I visited Florence in 2014 and stayed at a hotel on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, and the magnificent basilica was right outside my window. Naturally I spent quite a bit of time roaming this historic holy site. The church, the adjoining cloister, and chapter house contain a multiplicity of art treasures and funerary monuments. Especially famous are frescoes by masters of Gothic and early Renaissance. They were financed by the most important Florentine families, who ensured themselves funerary chapels on consecrated ground. The church was called S. Maria Novella ('New') because it was built on the site of the 9th-century oratory of Santa Maria delle Vigne. When the site was assigned to the Dominican Order in 1221, they decided to build a new church and adjoining cloister. The church was designed by two Dominican friars, Fra Sisto Fiorentino and Fra Ristoro da Campi. Building began in the mid-13th century (about 1276), and lasted 80 years, ending under the supervision of Friar Iacopo Talenti with the completion of the Romanesque-Gothic bell tower and sacristy. In 1360, a series of Gothic arcades were added to the façade; these were intended to contain sarcophagi. The church was consecrated in 1420. This incredible place is filled with amazing works by so many of the pre-Rennaissance and Rennaissance masters.