Street Art: Florence #30

In some cases, street art is literally art on the street.

A case in point is the artist reproducing Renaissance paintings in chalk on a main street in Florence.  The street is closed to traffic and is instead filled with pedestrians, mostly tourists. 

As you can see in the pictures below, the chalk reproductions are very well executed.

The cherubs from Raphael's Sistine Madonna (1512)

We were thankful there was no rain.

Museums: Casa Buonarroti (Part 2 of 2)

Our visit to the Casa Buonarroti continues with the two best pieces in the collection, carved by Michelangelo at a young age.  Enjoy.

Madonna of the Stairs by Michelangelo (1490).  The work of the artist at age 15 years.

A touchable reproduction for vision impaired visitors 

Battle of the Centaurs by Michelangelo (1492).  The work of the artist at age 15-17 years.

The museum includes a model of the wooden cart on rails used to transport the very heavy David sculpture.  In 1873, to protect the statue from damage, it was slowly rolled from outside the front of the Palazzo Vecchio to the interior gallery of the Accademia. (A replica now stands in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.)        

The museum is home to two depictions of Michelangelo--a portrait painted during his lifetime and sculpture carved in the century following his death. 

Michelangelo by Jacopino del Conte (1535)

Thanks for visiting Casa Buonarroti with us.

Museums: Casa Buonarroti (Part 1 of 2)

Not far from our apartment is a small, important museum, the Casa Buonarroti.  The house was once owned by famed Florentine artist Michelangelo Buonarroti and today houses a collection dedicated to Michelangelo.   

In front of the Casa Buonarroti, some random hottie with a Florentine cookbook from the gift shop

Michelangelo purchased the property in 1508.  While he may have visited the house, he probably did not reside there for extended periods, since he lived many years in Rome and elsewhere when in Florence.  Michelangelo's relatives and descendants collected some of his works and the house evolved into a museum dedicated to Michelangelo. 

Etruscan Collection:  Michelangelo's descendants collected many works of art, aside from Michelangelo's artwork.  So, the museum has a permanent collection that is varied, including Etruscan artifacts.  Since Greg likes Etruscan art, he enjoyed viewing the collection, especially the two pieces pictured below.

Michelangelo and the Siege (Assedio) of Florence:  When we visited Casa Buonarroti, the museum was hosting a temporary exhibition about Michelangelo's years when he served the Republic of Florence as an architect.  In 1527, Florence had ousted the Medici family and declared its independence as a Republic.  Pope Clement VII hired a large army to besiege Florence starting in 1529 and return the Medici to power.  (By the way, Clement VII was born Giulio de' Medici.)  Michelangelo was engaged to expand Florence's fortifications to withstand the siege and any assault.  Below are some photos of his architectural plans for the fortifications, along with some artifacts and artwork from the period.

A painting depicting fortified Florence in 1529-1530, with the besieging army in the distance

The drawing above depicts the execution of a captain of the Florentine army.  The captain deserted the army and was later executed--hanging by one foot.

Machiavelli's The Art of War (published 152)

Pontormo's 10,000 Martyrs is based on an earlier Bronzino painting about the legend of 10,000 Roman soldiers crucified after converting to Christianity.  The painting was intended to inspire Florentines to be faithful to the idea of a the Republic of Florence.

Savonarola led the founding of an earlier Florentine Republic in 1494, which lasted until 1512.  His memory was invoked during the short-lived reestablishment of the Florentine Republic, 1527-1530. 

Next Up:  Some of the master's early masterpieces.

Street Art: Florence #29

More street art spotted during our rambles around Florence.

From Exit Enter

From Exit Enter

Street art as protest art: "The only security is liberty and rights for everyone!"  (Everyone--"tutti/e"-- includes men and women.)

Big Clay #4

Have you ever looked at a figure in a painting and had the feeling that the eyes were following you?

We had a similar experience recently. 

During Year 1 in New York City, we saw a large sculpture on Park Avenue called Big Clay #4 (pictured below) by Swiss sculptor Urs Fischer.

Park Avenue at 52nd Street (Big Clay #4 by Urs Fischer)

Fast forward to Year 2.  Big Clay #4 has reappeared in Florence.

Is Big Clay #4 following us, like a painting with spooky eyes?

After we told ourselves that Big Clay #4 is not stalking us, we looked at two nearby sculptures also by Urs Fischer, Two Tuscan Men.  (Below are photos of each man.)  The sculptures of the men are carved in wax and were lit more than a week ago.  So, over time, the men are melting, like the Wicked Witch of the West.  The melting men symbolize human transience, according to the article below.

From The Florentine (September 2017)

P.S.  If Big Clay #4 appears in Washington, D.C. during Year 3, we will freak out!  Please stay tuned.