FLORENCE – The Uffizi Gallery will mark 700 years since the death of Dante with a work of art by Giuseppe Penone to be officially opened on ‘Dantedì’ (Dante day) on March 25.

  The sculpture will also act as a preview for an exhibition of the Turinese artist’s work at the Uffizi, entitled ‘Alberi Inversi’ (inverted trees), open from June 1 to Sept. 12. At around 22 metres tall, the tree sculpture will be the biggest work every put on display in the historic centre of Florence.

  The title of the show alludes to a line in Dante’s Paradise, “albero che vive della cima” (the tree which from its summit draws life), and the meeting place between the corporeal and conceptual worlds.

  The sculpture, which itself is called ‘Abete’, will be exhibited in the Piazza Signoria, just outside the gallery.

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