Once in a Lifetime

15th April 1452

Notarial record of the birth and baptism of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Made by his grandfather Antonio on the last page of the notarial protocol book of his natural father, the notary Ser Piero di Guido da Vinci.

The date was recorded in the Julian calendar (April 23 according to the modern calendar)

Archivio di Stato di Firenze, Florence

Raffaello Sanzio (1483 – April 6, 1520)

Study for a Crucifixion

Pen on white card

Biblioteca Marucelliana, Florence

Holograph letter of Fra Girolamo Savonarola (1452 - May 23, 1498) to one of his closest followers, Fra' Angelo Maruffi (who was also accised of heresy, tortured and burned at the stake)

c. 1495

Archivio Guiccairdini, Florence

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475 – 18 February 1564)

Sketch of blocks of marble with details for a Crucifixion

Archivio Buonarroti, Florence

Register of Male Baptisms in Florence 1512 - 1522

Part of a register from 1450 - 1900

Containing the record of the birth (12 June 1519) and baptism (20 June 1519)  of the Grand Duke Cosimo I de`Medici of Tuscany (marked at the side with a Crown) (died  21 April 1574)

 Archivio dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

As part of Firenze 2014 Un anno ad arte, the city has exhibited some of the treasures contained within the Archives and Libraries of the City

The exhibition is entitled Una volta nella vita. Tesori dagli archivi e dalle biblioteche di Firenze (Once in a Lifetime: Treasures from the Archives and Libraries in Florence)