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Abstract:  THE TRANSFER OF VILLA MEDICI’S ANTIQUE COLLECTION TO FLORENCE In 1769 began the systematic dismantlement of Villa Medici’s prestigious antique collection, put together by the grand-duke Ferdinando de Medici while cardinal in Rome. At first, only a few pieces were sent to Florence, but by 1786, year in which the “Lorenese” government decided to sell its prestigious real estate property on the Pincio, the shipment of such artifacts increased. The move ended in 1788 and, perhaps, it might have been completed had Peter Leopold not been forced to abandon the Grand duchy of Tuscany to be crowned Habsburg emperor. Nonetheless, it appears rather singular that these repeated expeditions were made possible given the papal laws on safeguard that controlled all private artistic assets, including even what belonged to foreign rulers. Thus, in order to accomplish this feat, the “lorenese” ministers had to knit strong diplomatic ties as well as overcome the difficult relations between Peter Leopold and the Roman Church. Surely, this business affair was made possible thanks to the support of the officials in the Papal Office for Antiquities who, with their influence undermined any understanding of the effective value of the pieces to be exported, consented to issue all necessary paperwork. Nevertheless, this bureaucratic procedure was not always respected and it may be that a few crates full of antiquities were shipped illicitly.