the oldest art institution in the world

 Here.

when art became status symbol

 

father of the renaissance

"I propose to build for eternity."

- Filippo Brunelleschi [1377-1446]

a place to eat in Florence

Here.

Rosso Fiorentino's The Musical Angel. Take a virtual tour of the Uffizi gallery here.

a place to eat in Florence

www.anticoristorodicambi.it

1st modern painter

Giotto di Bondone (1266/7 – January 8, 1337)

africa

In 1486 a giraffe was released into Florence. It roamed freely for three weeks before dying.

depending upon how you define art

"60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy. Half of those are in Florence."
- Graham McPherson "Suggs" [born 1961]

essex mercenary

Sir John Hawkwood [1320-1394] "the acute" was available to the highest bidder including the Pope.

Image explanation here.