My Top Five Art Stores in Florence! Hidden gems, historic shops,  plus one for ink lovers!
Channel: Auria Bohn
Date: 2024-03-27

Join me on a quick tour of Florence’s top five art stores! 

From historic holes in the wall to more modern offerings, I’ll show you where you can grab a nice sketchbook, some raw pigments, or a few made-in-Italy art materials in case you forgot something or are feeling inspired!

You will also discover where to find the brands you love and trust from back home…like those illusive Daniel Smith watercolors!

Be sure to stay until the end as I’ll be passing by one extra spot- a tiny little store that has some “inky surprises”!

SALVINI BELLI ARTE
Address:
Via degli Alfani, 111r
Website: https://www.salvinibellearti.it/

This cozy, but comprehensive art shop is located north of the Duomo in the San Marco Neighbourhood near the Galleria dell’ Accademia where Michelangelo’s marble statue David is displayed. It’s often one of my stops when I pop into Florence as it is an easy  15-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station.

In addition to the usual assortment of acrylic, oil and watercolor paint they have a nice assortment of dry pigments. I’ve also picked up a few simple Japanese calligraphy brushes here, although the owner says they are getting harder to import. 

RIGACCI
Address:
Via Dei Servi,71/r

Website: https://www.rigaccifirenze.it/
Rigacci has that old-world art store vibe going on, starting with the mosaics on the floor as you enter, to the antique wooden countertops and cupboards used for displaying a variety of paints and brushes.  It attracts both professional oil painters and budding students and you will often find both standing in line waiting to ask the staff questions.

ZECCHI
Address:
Via dello Studio, 19
Website: https://www.zecchi.it/

Zecchi is arguably one of Florence’ most popular and historic art stores. Not only does it have a great location- just off the back side of the Duomo- the store is seeped in history. It’s located in the building that once housed Florence’s first University and dates back to the year 1348. The art store dates back to the 1800s and has always had a focus on providing materials and tools once used by traditional Renaissance painters and craftsmen. A family-run business for generations, the present owner was 14 years old when the flood of 1966 hit Florence and damaged hundreds of masterpieces. Luckily, Zecchi was already established as an important contributor to the ongoing restoration projects in the city. After the flood, the store and its selection of Reniassance-inspired pigment selection and materials played a key role in the recovery and reparation process of countless damaged masterpieces.

MANZANI
Address:
Via dei Cerchi, 30/r.
Website: https://www.manzanifirenze.it/index.php

This is one of the smallest art shops in the center but it’s packed with a delightful assortment of materials and tools for those who love to draw and paint! In this living room-sized shop, you will find a nice assortment of high-quality sketchbooks, drawing pens and watercolors. I didn't notice oil paints but they could be hidden in there somewhere! It’s located just a stone's throw from Palazzo Vecchio making a great place to stop and pick up a few pens and colored pencils made by your favorite brands. 

CARTOLERIA LORY
Address:
Piazza de’ Frescobaldi, 8/r
Website: https://shop.lory.net/

This is hands down my favorite art store in Florence for the simple fact they have a great selection of so many materials! Not only are they the only ones who carry Daniel Smith Watercolors but I’ve also spent a good many hours touching all the types and grades of paper they have in stock. Arches, Fabriano, Canson, and many more- all offered in large sheets and even pads and blocks. Copic Markers, acrylic inks, even acrylic resin for those craftier projects- Lory has it covered. They even have a nice assortment of shipping materials in the back and those little plastic sleeves that are always handy for protecting your art.

BONUS!!

CASA DELLA STILOGRAFICA
Address:
Via Cavour 22/r
Website: https://www.stilografica.it/

This shop, located straight up from the Duomo on Via Cavour is a hidden gem for ink lovers! Technically the shop is geared for the calligrapher and pen lovers out there- but I feel many mixed media artists will love it too! They have an immense assortment of calligraphy pens and inks in so many ranges of colors and quality. Fancy Japanese inks that I would never have a chance to see in person as well as French and Dutch… too many to name them all!

You can find more of my art tips here:
IG: @vintagefables