Eight eyes. Eight visions. Eight guitars.
A project that transcends time to narrate the light of human ingenuity and artistry through history. Fabrizio Paoletti presents a tribute to the Dome of Florence’s Cathedral, born from an idea brought to life by his own skilful artisan hands. The project draws inspiration from the “eyes” of the dome’s drum, symbols of devotion, mastery, and timeless splendor. Much like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore unites art, transcendence, and innovation, Fabrizio offers his homage to craftsmanship, rooted in the vision that has illuminated Florence for centuries. His aim is to transform musical instruments into true works of art, capturing the essence that has made the Cathedral a lasting emblem of Florence’s unique beauty and a beacon of creativity through time and space.
The grand presentation event The Eye of Florence awaits in Florence, in the autumn of 2026.
The ones. Boutique guitars handcrafted in Italy.
Fabrizio is the founder and owner of Paoletti Guitars®, crafting high-end electric guitars since 2008, renowned for meticulous artisan craftsmanship and a deep connection to Italy’s timeless elegance.
Paoletti guitars are celebrated worldwide for the unique tonal qualities of chestnut wood, used for the bodies and delivering a rich, unmistakable sound. Combining the with a wide range of customization options, Paoletti instruments offer precision, versatility, and enduring reliability. With full control over production, the Company ensures unmatched and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. More than an instrument, a Paoletti guitar is a lifelong investment in artistry and excellence, blending exceptional performance with luxury.
Florence. Cradle of the Renaissance.
Florence, founded in the heart of Etruria in the 1st century B.C., is a living poem, standing proudly along Arno, where beauty and grit meet. Fertile mother of talent, it breeds greatness through challenge, with Dante’s exile shaping one of the greatest legacies in literature. Starting the bloom of human ingenuity with the Renaissance, the city ignited the most brilliant minds, like Leonardo, Machiavelli, and , while Caterina de’ Medici spread the Tuscan taste abroad. The city’s daring spirit is embodied in Michelangelo’s David, symbol of and perfection, and in Brunelleschi’s dome, a triumph of ambition and engineering. , Florence united the country with its tongue. Bold like its Pinocchio, Florence evolves over time like the of its land, shining brightest after rain, and urging us to listen, look, and fall in love with the of its art, history and culture.
In Light of the Dome.
The autumn light Santa Maria del Fiore, while Fabrizio admired Brunelleschi’s dome, unfolding before him like a eight stained-glass windows of the drum, timeless gems crowning a marvel conceived by the father of perspective and modern architecture over six centuries ago. 29,000 tons of material, 60 master builders working every day for 16 years, cuttingedge techniques, and unprecedented working conditions raised the dome. A model for St. Peter’s in the Vatican and St. Paul’s in London, it sparked Fabrizio’s inspiration, who, in the deep blues and reds of the stained glass, recognized the seed of his vision — a project uniting music and architecture, the most immediate and enduring of arts, into a whole new form, a tribute to Florence’s on his craftsmanship and artistic work.
Thus The Eye of Florence was born, an homage to a silent intuition and a seal of legacy for a select few.
The Project.
The eight eyes contribute to balancing the overall structure and are part of a monumental collaboration among the greatest artists and artisans of the time. In a harmonious recurrence of the number eight — a symbol of wholeness and perfection the eyes point to each cardinal direction, bathed in sunlight at the right moment of spiritual
Fabrizio honors this masterpiece by recreating its essence on eight one-of-akind guitars, with wide, graceful bodies carved from premium aged chestnut wood and select Canadian roasted maple necks. Close to 6,000 tiles of Venetian mother-of-pearl cover each instrument, with a polished, common framework on the back, mirroring the intricate geometric composition of one of the beautiful marble carpets are the result of three years of meticulous work, adorned with 24k goldVerrocchio’s golden globe atop the dome.
Each treasures a hidden gem a piece from the very Cathedral and features a unique design on the fretboard, and the top and side of its body.
Painted with Light.
Donatello, Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello, and Andrea del Castagno designed the artworks in the eight stained-glass windows of the drum, each with a 5m diameter and framed with and sacred motifs. About 50m high, they depict scenes from the lives of Christ and Mary, as the Cathedral is dedicated to Her and Her “ ” , symbolizing the gift of love and hope to humanity, embodied in Her Son’s message. The sun rises and sets illuminating Mary, to whom the Cathedral is devoted. Donatello’s Coronation of the Virgin shines at dawn, while Ghiberti’s Assumption of the Virgin glows at sunset in the rosette on the main façade below. Each eye is paired by theme — the Nativity of Christ (N-W) faces the Ascension of Christ (S-E), symbolizing His earthly and eternal birth. The Oration in the Garden (S) contrasts with the Lamentation over Christ Taken Down from the Cross (N), one foreshadowing, the other attesting His death. The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (S-W) opposes the Resurrection of Christ (N-E), symbolizing the start and completion of His mission. As the sun’s course highlights the building’s direction, Donatello’s window (E) has no counterpart (W) but the void blue sky. How can it be? Is a glass missing, leaving the masterpiece incomplete?
The Guitars.
As each scene takes shape, fragment by fragment, on the chestnut body of each guitar, turning from vibrant glass to a shimmering mosaic of motherof-pearl, Fabrizio recreates the radiant imagery of Florence’s Dome stainedglass windows. The exquisite details of these Renaissance masterpieces emerge at every angle, evoking the vivid hues and craftsmanship of the originals, while the sides of each guitar mirror the elegant twists and turns of the respective window frames with their iridescent inlays.
Yet, a silent invitation lingers in the West, where Paolo Uccello’s Annunciation once stood, shattered by lightning in 1828. Here Fabrizio saw not an absence, but an opportunity a chance to honor the lost masterpiece by offering his interpretation of Ulisse Forni’s beautiful, unexecuted 19thcentury design, once intended to restore the window. With the ‘empty eye’ transformed into a canvas for light, Fabrizio seeks to bridge past and present, offering a tribute to the lost art through a new vision.
The result is a masterful fusion of ancient art and craftsmanship, set to be exclusively unveiled at The Eye of Florence event in 2026.
North-West
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the N-W eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
North
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the N eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
North-East
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the N-E eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
East
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the E eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
South-East
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the S-E eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
South
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the S eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
South-West
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the S-W eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
West
150-year-old premium chestnut carved body
Canadian roasted maple neck
6,000 hand-cut Venetian mother-of-pearl tiles
mosaic inspired by the W eye on the neck, and top and side of the body
mosaic on back of the body reproducing a Cathedral marble carpet
plated hardware and strings
ceramic pickup
hand-carved exotic ebony bridge
22 frets, 24.75” scale
The Event.
Upon arrival from all corners of the world, our distinguished guests will be welcomed in Florence for a unique experience, discovering the craftsmanship of the Renaissance.
They will visit our headquarters among Tuscan hills, where they will witness how Paoletti guitars are born, guided step by step by our expert master builders.
The Eye of Florence will reveal the story of the Dome through gold, marble and glass, transformed into chestnut and mother-of-pearl on the eight guitars, to those who will have the privilege of owning a piece of Florence forever. These guitars will be temporarily displayed together at the Opera del Duomo Museum delivery.
A gala evening will celebrate art and music, followed by a private tour of the Cathedral, where guests will admire the twin compositions of their guitars, sealing their eternal bond with the history and art of Florence.
