Tag Archives: Italian Art in Florence
La Ricreazione Posted by Serena on Aug 31, 2017
Do you know the Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini (1430-1516)? Well, today I want to tell you about my favourite Bellini painting: l’Allegoria Sacra, housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Firenze. I’ve always been intrigued by this painting’s surreal juxtaposition of interior architecture and landscape, and the positioning of the characters in small separate groups, with…
The Three Kings Arrive in Florence Posted by Serena on Jan 6, 2016
In the early 1990’s I worked at the archaeological museum in Florence. I used to commute there every day from Lucca by train and then walk from La Stazione Santa Maria Novella to the museum. If I had time, I’d stop for a few minutes at Palazzo Medici Riccardi and visit La Cappella Dei Magi…
Michelangelo’s Secret Room Posted by Serena on Mar 4, 2015
Last week I recounted an anecdote about my visit to the Vatican Museums and how I ended up running away from the Sistine Chapel. However, as I said at the end of it, “l’anno dopo ebbi la mia rivincita con Michelangelo!” (the following year I got my payback on Michelangelo!) Here’s how: The summer following…
Masaccio’s Holy Trinity Posted by Serena on Feb 25, 2015
After a long day spent wandering around the narrow tourist packed streets of Florence, I usually try to make a quick visit to the church of Santa Maria Novella before catching the train. I like its elegant facade, designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1470, and besides, it’s always so quiet in there, a moment of respite before throwing myself…
Dave the Sniper Posted by Geoff on Apr 22, 2014
It’s not the first time that a great work of art has been used, or abused, in order to sell a product, but the transformation of Michelangelo’s celebrated sculpture of David into a gun toting sniper seems to be ruffling a lot of feathers … Left: Michelangelo’s celebrated sculpture of David. Right: ArmaLite’s version. Is…