Contini Bonacossi collection

The history of the collection is defined by a paradoxical legal situation following the death of Alessandro in 1955 and his wife Vittoria in 1949. Disagreements among heirs regarding the continuation of the collection versus its sale led to the intervention of the Italian state. A ministerial commission, operating under the Saragat decree, selected only thirty-five paintings from the 148 declared by the heirs, despite the total collection comprising 1,066 objects. This selective acquisition allowed the remaining works to enter the international market, where they were acquired by major foreign collectors and institutions, leading to the permanent dispersion of the original ensemble.

The collection originally contained 1,066 items, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, maiolica, and furniture. While the state selected only 35 paintings for the Uffizi, the collection was renowned for its high-quality holdings of Italian art. The dispersion of the collection resulted in significant masterpieces being sold to international buyers, with some works later reacquired by the Italian state through different channels but not rejoining the main Contini Bonacossi group. Currently, the Uffizi displays 38 pieces of antique furniture and 48 other items from the original holding, alongside the selected paintings.

The Contini Bonacossi Collection holds significant historical importance not only for its artistic value but also for its complex provenance during the Nazi era. Alessandro Contini Bonacossi was investigated by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Art Looting Investigation Unit and placed on the Red Flag List for his role in dealing in Nazi-looted art. Records indicate he sourced art for the Göring Collection through Walter Hofer and was visited by German agents in 1942. The collection's fate reflects the broader turmoil of art trafficking during World War II and the subsequent challenges in restitution and preservation in post-war Italy.

The collection is located at Via Lambertesca 6, Florence, Italy, within the administrative territory of the Uffizi Gallery. The site is identified by the postal code 50122 and is part of the Polo Museale Fiorentino. The collection is officially listed as a museum entity within the Sistema Cultura database and is recognized by ICOM Italy. It serves as a testament to the collecting practices of the early 20th-century Italian aristocracy and the state's efforts to preserve national heritage amidst legal and economic pressures.