As we start thinking of Rome we had a few art-filled days in Florence. Some say that being in the city is similar to being on an Art History A Level revision visit, some, like the great French novelist Stendhal, wrote in 1817,
As I emerged from the porch of Santa Croce,
I was seized with a fierce palpitation of the heart,
the wellspring of life was dried up,
and I walked in constant fear of falling to the ground
(some might have similar reactions, either from a late night carousing in Piazza Santo Spirito, or indeed, from an overwhelming exposure to art, it's EVERYWHERE.This reaction to art is now a confirmed medical condition called 'Stendhal's Syndrome!)
Michelangelo's 'David', Frari Angelico's sublime frescoes in San Marco, the Uffizi, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Bronzino's extraordinary 'Christ's Descent into Limbo', Giott's frescoes in the Bardi Chapel, Alberti's fabulous Rucellai tomb, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Titian...
We made the best of the great weather, visited pretty well everything (including Santa Croce - without a Baedeker) and it's now our 'free day', to wander as we choose - or pack)
Our lovely art historian, Dr. Thomas-Leo True, was with us, and an utter delight. And we even got the exquisite treat of having Tasie Jones sing for us in The Pazzi Chapel!
