Ciao Firenze
You were a beautiful city. Houses not too ornate but not too simple, humbly proud standing over the river. Streets not clogged with tourists or cars. Purple sunsets over rolling hills and pointy trees......
Michaelangelo's David looked like he could step off the platform any second and stroll across the museum, he was so intricately sculpted. One could trace the veins across his arms. It was so lifelike one could almost see him breathing. And so damn big! We had an inkling of how big it was, but for those of you who don't, know it is immense.
Around the David were half finished Michaelangelo sculptures, many of which were easily recognizable from books. It was interesting to see the unfinished versions. Seems he starts in the middle and works his way out and then slowly fills in the details. You could actually see the chisel marks and imagine he just stepped out for a coffee before returning to finish.
Also in the Gallerie d'Academie were several exhibits depicting how paintings are restored (befores and afters). And LOTS of Renaissance art (we have already named some of the artists) mainly portraying biblical figures and themes. Probably 95% god stuff, but we're talking 13, 14, 15th century and even older.
Also, we saw one of Kyle's favorite sculptures, The Rape of the Sabine Women (much nicer than the title suggests). A music exhibit with thousand year old instruments, some of which (the serpentone) we'd never heard of and an instrument which is a bowl of water with handles. You get your hands wet and rub the handles and the vibrations make a really loud feedback-like hum.
The Pitti Palace, overlooked by Ft. Belvedere, was built for a rich family called the Pittis, and taken over by the Medici family. The Medici family was VERY wealthy and powerful--they were the first bankers--and stayed here for several hundred years slowly amassing a huge collection of art. Every room was rather sickeningly ornate, paintings or frescoes covering every inch of wall, sculptures in every corner... Crystal and gold chandeliers....
Another example of why we loved Florence was the coffeeshop we went to every morning. We each got a cappuccino and a pastry and then another cappuccino. Best coffee ever and the bill was only 5.20 TOTAL. Yes, dollar cappuccinos and they were incredible and they had cinnamon on top. Heaven is cappuccinos.
Next stop: VENEZIA.
Michaelangelo's David looked like he could step off the platform any second and stroll across the museum, he was so intricately sculpted. One could trace the veins across his arms. It was so lifelike one could almost see him breathing. And so damn big! We had an inkling of how big it was, but for those of you who don't, know it is immense.
Around the David were half finished Michaelangelo sculptures, many of which were easily recognizable from books. It was interesting to see the unfinished versions. Seems he starts in the middle and works his way out and then slowly fills in the details. You could actually see the chisel marks and imagine he just stepped out for a coffee before returning to finish.
Also in the Gallerie d'Academie were several exhibits depicting how paintings are restored (befores and afters). And LOTS of Renaissance art (we have already named some of the artists) mainly portraying biblical figures and themes. Probably 95% god stuff, but we're talking 13, 14, 15th century and even older.
Also, we saw one of Kyle's favorite sculptures, The Rape of the Sabine Women (much nicer than the title suggests). A music exhibit with thousand year old instruments, some of which (the serpentone) we'd never heard of and an instrument which is a bowl of water with handles. You get your hands wet and rub the handles and the vibrations make a really loud feedback-like hum.
The Pitti Palace, overlooked by Ft. Belvedere, was built for a rich family called the Pittis, and taken over by the Medici family. The Medici family was VERY wealthy and powerful--they were the first bankers--and stayed here for several hundred years slowly amassing a huge collection of art. Every room was rather sickeningly ornate, paintings or frescoes covering every inch of wall, sculptures in every corner... Crystal and gold chandeliers....
Another example of why we loved Florence was the coffeeshop we went to every morning. We each got a cappuccino and a pastry and then another cappuccino. Best coffee ever and the bill was only 5.20 TOTAL. Yes, dollar cappuccinos and they were incredible and they had cinnamon on top. Heaven is cappuccinos.
Next stop: VENEZIA.