Monday, May 22, 2017

Florence Art and Architecture



Florence is the home of Renaissance art. Michelangelo's David is here, arguably the best sculpture ever. He was influenced by Donatello, whose David is depicted as the adolescent he supposedly was. (Some undergraduates call him "Puss in Boots.") He is next to St. George in the Bargello Museum.



The Ufizzi has a collection of paintings that overwhelm. One afternoon is too little to take them in properly. Botticelli, Giotto, Lippo, da Vinci and more in the 60+ rooms. 


Botticelli's Venus


Botticelli's Spring


Michelangelo's Holy Family


Da Vinci's Annunciation


Lippo's Adoration of the Magi


The Duomo's Cathedral Museum contains the original "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti and a very striking "Magdalen" as an old woman, by Donatello. 



It also contains Michelangelo's second "Pieta," never finished as he was dissatisfied with his progress. 


Florence is the home of great leather and more. The Ponte Vecchio is a must see, especially near sunset, as the shops on the bridge close for the day. 



Brunelleschi's Dome takes the simple Duomo from spartan to elegant. 


The Baptistry next door, however, has a ceiling of gold mosaics, with the mosaic that partially inspired Dante's Inferno, from "The Divine Comedy."  




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