16
THE  UFFIZI  GALLERY
the  galleries  and  museums,  disposing  them  in
logical  and  rational  order;  but  financial  reasons
hinderet  the  execution  of  this  project.  It  was
then  thought  that  the  Medicean  theatre,  underneath -
  the  Gallery,  might  be  turned  to  account.
In  1865  this  theatre  had  been  transformed  into
a  hall  for  the  meeting  of  the  Senate,  Florence
being  at  that  time  the  provisional  seat  of  the
Italian  government;  and  it  was  now  suggested
to  incorporate  it  with  the  Gallery.  Plans,  dividing -
  it  into  ten  large  rooms,  were  placed  before
the  Minister  of  Public  Instruction,  and  speedily
approved.  In  the  year  1890  the  work  was  begun,
and  the  new  hall  were  finished  in  1898.