Firenze (Florence)

Florence was really beautiful and amazing, art and shopping are the primary activities, how could I not love it.

We saw a lot of Michelangelo. I find that the most amazing thing about Michelangeloàs work is that the figures in his sculptures look like they are emerging from the marble, born. They are so natural and alive, whether it is a tension in their bodies or an amazing emotional expression. I think that what makes his work amazing, he captures the essence of whatever he presents.

We went to 2 great museums in Florence. The Bargello with beautiful statues, mostly marbles and some bronzes. My favorites were a statue of Zeus that was huge. The marble was beautiful and when an artist knows how to use it, the veins in the marble become part of the statues. The figures are almost real. Another favorite is the bronze David by Donatello, it was surprising small and very intimate. When you step back, David's face is shaded and he seems to smile knowingly at you. As if his amazing triumph was not a surprise at all and a secret that only he knows. The Uffizi is pretty amazing as well. The art really is like stepping into a live art history class. The Renaissance is alive in Florence. My favorites were the Da Vinci which was unfinished but so wonderfully creative. The Boteceilli Venus which was bigger and more beautiful than I expected. Then the four hour nap after the museums were wonderful.