I was definitely not in the mood to go to a museum today. I would have much rather taken a nap after lunch. But being that I had signed up for today's class ahead of time, I had an obligation to fulfill.
This museum houses the original sculptures and works of the Duomo, Battistero, and Campanile di Giotto. Everything you see on the actual buildings are copies as the Florentine climate (humid, rainy, polluted, and historically prone to flooding) would cause serious damage.
St. John the Baptist
Cute farm animals - sheep for Smeek
Michelangelo's PietÃ
Michelangelo intended for this to grace his tomb, however it was never finished. A side view shows a parallel between the sculpture moving forth from the stone and the Platonic teachings of soul leaving the body at death.
Donatello's Maddalena (Mary Magdalene)
Insanely modern and full of anguish.
Relief of Pharmacy - for Nicky
In the middle you can see the original doorframe for the museum's entrance. Through that door is where Michelangelo sculpted his David!
Interesting fact: facades of Santa Croce and the Duomo are from the 19th century! It took hundreds of years of submissions and projects until the Duomo's new facade was completed. Nothing was ever good enough for the Medicis and Michelangelo was very picky as well. Here I was thinking all this time that they were at least a bit older...
Missing from exhibition and photos: the Gates of Paradise (from the Battistero) are in restoration and, I'm told, have been for quite awhile now. Siamo in Italia!
Today's word of the day is sbalzi d'umore, meaning "mood swings". I've had these words up my sleeve for awhile and could never find the right opportunity to teach you until now.
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