Italy 2007- Day 6 The Ponte Vecchio

One of the most welcome sites in Florence is the Ponte Vecchio.  It is the bridge with jewelry shops built in.  A remnant of the Renaissance, it offers an interesting harmony of ochre and tan.  I actually have shopped here, hung out here, lectured here, listened to music here, stared at the lights and reflections and reminisced about Benvenuto Cellini and his bust on the bridge.  It is not a flashy structure but it is unique to Florence.

  Once on a pilgrimage my dad asked his guide, " Aren't we going to see the Ponte Vecchio?" because it wasn't on the schedule.  Then my dad led a small group from his tour around the corner to see the great landmark.  His guide from Rapids didn't know about it.

It will always be on the itinerary.  It wouldn't be Florence without it.

Italy 2007- Day 6 Bargello Group Shot

This is the group at the Bargello in Florence.  This day is tough because we go to the Bargello right away in the morning.  The Bargello is an awesome sculpture museum with Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini and more.  There are basically 3 rooms we spend time in and one could spend a few days.  Then we hike over to the Brancacci Chapel to see the Masaccio frescos, grab a bite to eat and drive away.  More than a little to absorb by midday.  It really helps to prep the group and some don't care as much as others.  It is a bit of sensory overload, but that is what you expect.  I think you treasure these kind of days when you are stuck, bored with nothing to do at a different place at a different time.

Italy 2007- Day 5 Duomo

Jenna is pretty fortunate when it comes to the Duomo.   The Duomo is one of the most famous landmarks in art history.  A masterpiece by Brunelleschi and some would say, the beginning of the Renaissance.

She celebrated her 17th birthday by climbing to the top of the Dome.  She was along on my sabbatical in 2003.  Older and wiser, she can climb the dome and still be 17.  It might take more strength, and her knees might hurt, but when she steps out onto the platform, it is September 19, 2003 and she is with her cousin Amy and her dad.

Italy 2007- Day 5 Piazza Signoria

Florence is such an irresistible city.  It has somehow lasted so that you can easily imagine life in the Renaissance.  But beyond that, it still has the proportion, elegance, and visual power to hold you.  Even in our media saturated world, Florence stands unique and should be experienced first hand.  Sure, you can take pictures but you have to remember what it was like to be there.....what did it smell like?  what did it sound like?  how much did the gelato cost?  Was it crowded?

I wish that so many people didn't know about it.  Shhhhhh.....don't tell anyone. 

Italy 2007- Day 5 The Pazzi Chapel interior

Can circles make us better people?  Do we feel better?  Do we think clearer?  Some say yes, the power of architecture can change you.  You can bet Brunelleschi thought so, and convinced the Pazzi family when this was designed in the 15th century.

  Kenneth Clark in his video on Renaissance art calls it art that makes us more "human". ...more capable of realizing our powers as complete moral and intellectual beings.  I like the way that sounds and I like the way this looked.  Can you live in great art? (probably for a little while...then you have to get back to work.

Italy 2007- Day 5 The Pazzi Chapel

After the church of Santa Maria Novella, we walked to Santa Croce and then to the Pazzi Chapel.  The problem with a big touring day is that you seldom really soak in all of the details.  The reason I stress the pre-trip study is so that the average traveler can recognize and appreciate what they are walking into, by, or near.  You really have to tune in.  When we were in the church of Santa Croce, it was sad to have a loudspeaker warn you about possible pickpockets.  It must have happened enough to make them ruin the atmosphere.   This is one of those "Kenneth Clark" shots from his famous Civilization series. 

Italy 2007- Day 5 The Cloister of Santa Maria Novella

How much can one day affect you?  I think one day can have a huge impact on your life.  Of course there are the big days-graduations,  weddings, births, deaths, etc.  But what about that day you were in Florence? You walked a few blocks to an old church right by the train station.  After a while you had a chance to sit in an ancient cloister with a few friends.  The moment will be hard to re-capture.  The air was fresh and Italian,  you were young and eager to learn.  You just saw some of the greatest frescos in the history of art and it was time for a gelato.  Now that was a good day.

Italy 2007 Day 5 Cloisters

This is the Spanish chapel that was finally open after many years.  There is never a rush to reopen a Gothic fresco in Italy.  This one is by Andrea da Firenze called the Way to Salvation.

  It was painted from 1365-67 and is in the Guidalotti Chapel in the cloister of Santa Maria Novella. 

 It represents the role of the Dominicans in the struggle for salvation.  How great is it when you can express a complete world with the heavenly host above watching down on you. 

 Some singers in our group sang in this space and it was a real treat.  The acoustics were fantastic, even the guard clapped.

Italy 2007- Day 5 The Cloister of Santa Maria Novella

I was particularly happy to see that the cloister of Santa Maria Novella was open again after being closed for years.  Actually the Spanish chapel in the cloisters was closed.  The frescos in this picture remained open, but they are kind of ruined.  Ucello would be disappointed in the state of repair his fresco is in.  At least some of it still survives.  I guess you can see that the group didn't need to squeeze in so much- but I suppose we don't want to stand on the grass.