Florence Part Two Trip - March 2024
Here is a small selection of pictures of my favourite paintings, sculptures, architecture and places from those that we visited during the recent Florence Part Two Trip.
Amongst the wealth of painting, sculpture and architecture that we studied, we experienced the calming atmosphere created by the harmonious symmetry of Brunelleschi’s pure Renaissance architecture and the precise geometry and order of Alberti’s architectural designs. We soaked up the emotion expressed by Donatello in his early Renaissance sculptures and were overwhelmed by the intense focus on humanity in the work of his great successor Michelangelo. Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci’s revolutionary paintings were found to be both breathtakingly beautiful and of supreme craftsmanship and Bronzino’s sophisticated, pristine and courtly style of Mannerism will prove to be especially memorable.
One of the beauties of Italy is the unparalleled opportunity to appreciate works of art in the context and atmosphere for which they were intended and we visited as many works of art as possible in situ. These included stunning and complex fresco cycles by Gozzoli, Uccello and Ghirlandaio as well as altarpieces by Lippi, Pontormo, Bronzino and Masaccio, all still in the places for which they were created.
Florence museums house some of the most significant art collections in existence and we felt extremely privileged to be surrounded by the largest collection of Raphael masterpieces in the world, together with a great many of Titian’s sensitive insightful portraits and mythological paintings. We also sought out female artists where possible, including the powerful emotionally charged pictures created by Artemisia Gentilieschi and the superbly detailed work of Plautilla Nelli.
Of course, our cultural study tour was gastronomic as well as artistic and we sampled the delights of Italian cuisine in many truly wonderful local restaurants!
A Gallery Talks Part One Trip is planned from 11th until 15th October 2024.
