October 16 Florence

We chose L’Accademia as our first museum in Florence. We moved quickly past what have now become the “usual” paintings of crucifixions and saints, and entered a long hallway lined with large marble statues. Signs in English explained that these were unfinished works by Michelangelo. I could see the figures emerging from the rough, light grey stone, as if they were climbing into life. I felt an intimate and emotional connection to the master who, rather than building up a figure as you would with clay, was revealing him by chipping away the stone.

At the end of the hall rose the David. Much bigger than I expected, the statue is framed by the familiar white half dome structure, and stands there on a pedestal, seventeen feet tall. His beauty brought more tears to my eyes and a warm feeling to my chest. We were able to walk around him and see the physical details; the feet, the leg muscles, the slingshot strap around the back. I was surprised at how moving and powerful it is to see such a familiar cultural icon up close.

---

Later we walked by a modest church facade that was included in the Firenze Card, and decided to go in. It turns out that it was The Museum of San Marco, housed in a cluster of buildings that was once a monastery and home to Savonarola. We enjoyed a peaceful rest in the cloister.

We looked at simple chapels and small visitor’s cells (each with a fresco), but my favorite was the library. In Renaissance times, monks would copy and illustrate their manuscript in this sunny room. Today it’s lined with cases of the large books and a display about how the books were made. Parchment made from animal skins and samples of pigments, gold leaf and thick buckles to hold the giant books closed fascinated me.

---

Art for the Day