In Florence, the sky has never been just a backdrop. It is a symbolic map, a system of signs, a language that spans centuries of art, architecture, and thought. Astra Codex, the new exhibition by Daniele Davitti at the Istituto de’ Bardi, stems from this awareness and translates it into a textile narrative of rare intensity. From January 25 to June 14, 2026, in the historic spaces of Palazzo Capponi in Via de’ Michelozzi, the art of embroidery meets astrology and Florentine memory in a project curated by Lavinia Pini and sponsored by the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art.
This is not just a simple exhibition of textile art in Florence, but a true visual code: a contemporary astrological atlas that intertwines threads, symbols, and places, restoring the city’s ancient cosmic vocation.
Twelve signs, twelve works, one city
The heart of Astra Codex consists of twelve textile panels dedicated to the signs of the zodiac. However, Davitti chooses to move away from a didactic representation of the horoscope: the signs are not only evoked through their traditional symbols, but take shape from works of art, architectural details, and iconic views of Florence. Churches, palaces, fountains, loggias, and museums become visual matrices from which anthropomorphic figures of strong evocative power are born.
Each panel is entirely hand-embroidered with white and gold threads on vintage fabrics dyed in antique pink, made by artisans Valentina and Laura Fiorini from the Ratafià workshop. River pearls, micro glass pearls, and crystals embellish the surfaces, while the stitches—full, satin, cord, French knots—are interwoven in meticulous compositions. The result is a work that goes beyond the decorative dimension: the fabric becomes a narrative medium, a sensitive surface, a space for symbolic stratification.
Between astrology, art, and Florentine history
Davitti’s interest in astrology is deeply rooted in Florence. The city boasts a long tradition of celestial studies, spanning the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, linking science, art, and power. In Astra Codex, this heritage resurfaces through specific references: from the solstice sundial of San Miniato al Monte to Ammannati’s Neptune fountain, from frescoed vaults to sculptural groups, to Renaissance architecture.
Each panel is configured as a small astrological ‘summa’: a node where ancient symbols and contemporary languages coexist. At the end of the exhibition, the twelve works will be assembled into a monumental screen, taking on the appearance of a large textile codex that brings together the entire celestial vault in a single glance.
The creative process as a story
One room of the exhibition is dedicated to behind the scenes. Preparatory drawings and studies allow visitors to follow the evolution of the figures from the initial idea to the final embroidery, while a making-of video directed by Lapo Quagli documents the artist’s work and the techniques used. This is a fundamental step in understanding the complexity of the project and the constant dialogue between artistic design and craftsmanship.
Florence as a zodiac map
Astra Codex extends beyond the rooms of the Istituto de’ Bardi thanks to the collaboration with the cultural association Città Nascosta, which offers a series of guided tours inspired by the zodiac signs reinterpreted by Davitti. The symbols become urban itineraries, transforming the exhibition into a widespread experience that invites visitors to rediscover Florence through new interpretations.
Among the most eagerly awaited events are the tours curated by art historian Elena Capretti: on February 14 at the Bargello National Museum, focusing on the new layout of the Salone di Donatello and the Marzocco, and on March 14 in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, from the Old Sacristy to Michelangelo’s Tribuna delle Reliquie, open exceptionally for the occasion.
Meetings, conferences, and thread arts
The project is completed by a packed calendar of thematic meetings that explore the themes of the exhibition, intertwining art history, textile culture, and astrological symbolism. From zodiacal iconography between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the dialogue between decorative arts and Arts and Crafts, to meetings with the artist and the artisans involved, Astra Codex offers a space for shared reflection on the value of craftsmanship today.
A tribute to contemporary craftsmanship
In line with the mission of the Istituto de’ Bardi, the exhibition promotes artistic craftsmanship as a living heritage, capable of dialoguing with the present without losing its historical depth. Astra Codex tells the story of Florence as a creative laboratory, a place where past and present meet stitch by stitch.
The exhibition can be visited free of charge during all the Institute’s activities or by appointment. Reservations are also required for events and guided tours, given the limited availability of places.
In a time that demands speed, Astra Codex invites us to slow down. To read the sky through the thread. To rediscover Florence as a large, silent urban horoscope.
