Long day today!  We first went to Michelangelo’s House that he gave to his nephew Leonardo.  There were a few of his works there that were very nice.  They had a mixed media sculpture of his that I honestly found more impressive than his David.  It was made from Clay, Sand, it had wire armatures in it, it was a beautiful sculpture on par with any contemporary work I have seen.  We then went to the church Santa de ‘Lorenzo, it was the Medici’s church they sponsored.  In the library they had and exhibit of ancient books, I loved looking at the old illuminated manuscripts.  In the gift shop they had a children’s book “Dante’s Journey An Infernal Adventure”, I had to buy it, how could I pass up a children’s book based on Dante’s Inferno? (continue reading…)

Today we walked around Florence looking at Renaissance and Mannerist art.  We visited a fer churches and the Cathedral of Florence, where Michelangelo is entombed.  As it turns out Marconi (the inventor of the radio) is buried there too.  Later on in the day we visited the gallery where Michelangelo’s David is on display.  I am still working out my feelings on the statue of David.  The most impressive thing to me is the sheer scale of the statue.  I know it is supposed to be the epitome of Renaissance Art and it is an Icon of art the world round, but to be frank, other than its size it didn’t really affect me.  I think the mythology / stories around it really play it up, so finally seeing it was a little anti-climatic to me.  I have to be honest though and say that in the end it is just a big statue of a man. (continue reading…)

Today we took a lengthy train ride to Ravenna where we saw early christian and byzantine mosaics, we visited churches, mausoleums, baptisteries ranging back 1600 years.  The city is beautiful and was a joy to walk around. (continue reading…)