Give — Lorenzo Quinn, Florence
Lorenzo Quinn · 2020 · Boboli Gardens, Florence; later Palermo
Photo: taken during the 2020 Boboli Gardens installation, as published on Street Art Utopia; the photographer and camera date are not named in our records. Artwork: Lorenzo Quinn.
Two giant white hands, a man’s and a woman’s, cup a living olive tree. Lorenzo Quinn’s Give, made of resin and recycled material, was unveiled in the Boboli Gardens of the Uffizi Galleries on 4 August 2020, with Brunelleschi’s dome on the skyline, as a gift from the artist and Halcyon Gallery to the town of Pietrasanta. Source Source Source Checked
Seen Dec 2020: Balarm reported on 22 December 2020 that the sculpture stood in front of Palermo Cathedral, announced until 30 March 2021; it is no longer in Florence. Wikipedia says it went on to Pietrasanta the following year, but we found no dated report of where it stands now Source Source Reported
💡 5 things to know
- A man’s hand and a woman’sHalcyon Gallery describes the hand of a man joining that of a woman; Quinn told Finestre sull’Arte the man’s hand is his own and the woman’s belongs to a model. Source Source Source Source Checked
- Give to receiveQuinn summed the work up as “Nella vita per ricevere bisogna dare” (in life, to receive you have to give); the olive tree stands for peace and the recycled material for sustainability. Source Source Source Checked
- A month, or until 19 October?On the opening day, 4 August 2020, the Uffizi announced the showing until 19 October, while Finestre sull’Arte and Gonews spoke of one month; The Florentine and arte.it also give 19 October. Source Source Source Source Source Conflicting
- A winter at Palermo CathedralIn December 2020 Balarm reported Give on the square in front of Palermo Cathedral, due to stay until 30 March 2021; Balarm said it would then go to Pietrasanta for its permanent placement. Source Reported
- A gift to a town of sculptorsThe artist and Halcyon Gallery gave the work to Pietrasanta; 2020 reports said it would join the town’s International Sculpture Park, and Forbes Italia listed it as the latest work donated to the town. Source Source Source Checked
📍 Where it was
In the Boboli Gardens behind Palazzo Pitti, Florence, in a panoramic spot looking toward Brunelleschi’s dome (Finestre sull’Arte); the exact spot is not recorded. It left Florence in 2020 for Palermo and, according to Wikipedia, Pietrasanta. Source Source Source Reported
Opens a map of the Boboli Gardens; the sculpture is no longer there.
🗓️ Sightings
- 20204 Aug
Unveiled in Boboli · Finestre sull’Arte
- 20206 Aug
Gift to Pietrasanta · Halcyon Gallery
- 20206 Aug
On view until 19 Oct · The Florentine
- 202022 Dec
At Palermo Cathedral · Balarm
- 202031 Dec
Donated to Pietrasanta · Forbes Italia
Amber stamps mark records or reports. Publication dates are not camera dates.
🗞️ In the sources
Le mani di Lorenzo Quinn sono state scoperte: esposte a Boboli con vista su Firenze
“Nella vita per ricevere bisogna dare.”
“In life, to receive you have to give.” Lorenzo Quinn.
GIVE by Lorenzo Quinn is unveiled at The Uffizi Gardens, Florence
“Boboli’s garden temporarily welcomes a work destined for Pietrasanta”
Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Galleries.
La mega scultura alla Cattedrale di Palermo: il messaggio nelle mani che accolgono la terra
“interamente in resina e materiale riciclato”
“Entirely in resin and recycled material.”
✅ The facts
- Florence showing
- Boboli Gardens, Uffizi Galleries, from 4 August 2020; until 19 October 2020 according to the Uffizi, The Florentine and arte.it, about a month according to Finestre sull’Arte and Gonews Source Source Source Source Source Conflicting
- Palermo showing
- In front of Palermo Cathedral from December 2020, announced until 30 March 2021 Source Reported
- Where it is now
- Shown in Pietrasanta in 2021 according to Wikipedia; we found no source naming its exact spot or confirming it is still there Source Unconfirmed
- Size
- Not stated in the sources we found Unconfirmed
🔗 Related
All sources & image credits
- Uffizi Galleries — news page on Give in the Boboli Gardens — 4 August 2020
- Halcyon Gallery — GIVE by Lorenzo Quinn is unveiled at The Uffizi Gardens, Florence — 6 August 2020
- Finestre sull’Arte — 4 August 2020
- Gonews — 4 August 2020
- The Florentine — 6 August 2020
- arte.it — exhibition listing, 4 August to 19 October 2020
- Balarm — 22 December 2020
- Forbes Italia — 31 December 2020
- Wikipedia — Lorenzo Quinn
- Hero image: taken during the 2020 Boboli Gardens installation, as published on Street Art Utopia; the photographer is not named in our records. A 16:9 share image was made from it with blurred sides.
Last checked: 7 November 2026 · How we verify art