The "Marblous" David

 

We have survived the holidays and now I must continue writing about our adventures in Italy and then the Mediterranean cruise we took after travelling through Italy. The last entry was about our trek to the top of the Duomo in Florence. Today, I want to focus on Michelangelo's statue of David that stands in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy. I was going to just post the pictures I took, but decided to do a little research, too. I am glad that I did because I learned a lot.

One thing I learned was that Michelangelo was the fourth sculptor to work on the slab of marble. The creation began in 1464, when a huge, tall but narrow block of marble was shipped to Florence. The first three artists ceased to work on this giant slab of marble because it was full of imperfections, tiny holes and small veins. In 1500 the Operai (Overseers of the Office of Works) searched for another artist to complete this statue. Michelangelo was selected at the age of 26 and finished the statue of David at age 29.

As you can tell from the picture, David is quite tall, 17 feet high, about as tall as an adult giraffe. It was supposed to be on the roof of the Florence Cathedral. Due to the size and weight (six tons), it was decided to move the statue to Palazzo Vecchio until it was moved again, inside a building to keep it protected from the elements and people. It took four days and 40 men to move David from Michelangelo's workshop to the Piazza (about half a mile).

When I take pictures of statues I like to get close ups of various parts. Here are some of the close up pictures of David. I left one out. I am sure you can figure out which one. While I am writing about this area, I can mention that when Queen Victoria received a life sized replica of David, she ordered that a  plaster fig leaf be placed over the "private parts" to protect the fragile eyes of the the young English ladies.

If you look closely you can see that the eyes are not looking exactly the same direction.  I wouldn't have noticed it if it had not been brought to my attention. What amazed me was the furrow of the brows and the expression of the eyes. I could almost feel what David was feeling as he stood ready to face the Giant Goliath. It seems to be a mixture of determination, anticipation and fearful courage.

The next two pictures are of the hand holding the stone. I so much wanted to reach over and touch that hand. It looked so real. I could almost feel the next motion of getting the sling ready.

    This is the other side of the hand holding the stone. What amazing sculpting with so much energy. 

Even when the statue was  moved into Accademia Gallery, there were still security problems. Someone was able to get close enough and damage the the toes with a hammer that he had smuggled into the museum in 1991. Now David is protected with plexiglass. There is concern with damage caused by the vibrations of footsteps with so many visitors. One more concern is caused by earthquake tremors.

                     This is the other foot. It is much smoother compared to the damaged foot.

                                                            The back shows the sling.

                                The veins in the arm show the tension that David is feeling.

           You can see the color of the marble veins that some artists felt made the marble inferior.

                                       This gives a perspective to show the size of David.

                                      This is the dome of natural light looking over David.

If you do not want to travel to Florence, Italy (although, I would suggest you do), you can see a replica of David in St. Augustine, Florida.  It was first sent to the United States for the 1964 New York World's Fair. It is carved from one block of marble from the same quarry that the marble used for the original David.

Thanks, to Bruce Thompson for letting me use his camera to take these pictures. My camera was in our lost carry on baggage. I was so thankful that Bruce let me use his camera. His camera is the same one that I have, so I knew how to use it.

A View to a Thrill

 Where do I start? There is so much to tell about Florence ( Firenze) which means flourishing or flowering.  I want to return to this beautiful city. The first time I visited there, I knew I wanted to return, and now, my second visit makes me want to return again. Florence is packed full of history, culture and art. Last year Ray and I watched, "Medici the Magnificent", a Netflix series of three years; a great series to watch before and after visiting Florence. It is about the Medici family dynasty and their influence on the culture and art of the city. It does get a bit gruesome at times as there are power struggles, and it is the Renaissance period so lots of sword fights and stabbings. The Medici family is well known for their patronage of the arts. They supported such artists as Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo d' Vinci.  

Back to our trip. We woke up early to meet our guide, Leonardo, who would take us to the Academia Gallery of Florence and then to the Florence Duomo, also known as Santa Maria del Fiore. My goal was to walk to the top of the dome, 463 steps up narrow spiraling stairs. This huge, red tiled dome is the biggest brick and mortar dome in the world. They began building the cathedral in 13th century and about a hundred years later, when it was almost finished, the builders faced a major issue: a nearly 150 foot oval hole in the roof where the Florence Duomo was to be. The dome would be the largest ever built at that time, and  there was concern that it would collapse because no design had been perfected to hold such a large dome together. 

This is a picture of the whole Duomo. I got this from the internet because we were unable to get a picture from far away.

This is inside Florence Duomo. If you look closely you may see people below the round stained glass window right below the dome. I took a picture from there to show how high up we were before we began the last part of our climb to the top of the dome.

Looking up from the floor to the dome. If you can zoom in, check out the paintings. They are amazing. The frescoes depict the Last Judgement. This is when I was sad because my camera was in my carry on luggage that was still in the process of following us and had not caught up yet. 

A contest was held to get creative ideas on how to construct such a large dome. A goldsmith, Brunelleschi, presented a design of building a dome within a dome, and this is what they did. It took 16 years to construct and only three deaths were recorded of any workers. 

Looking down from the walkway under the round stained glass windows. Taken with my iPhone.

I know I am  getting bogged down in describing this dome. I promise to not write anymore facts about it. If you are interested, there is a lot of information on line that can answer any questions you may have. So, as I looked at the top of the dome from inside the cathedral, I wavered on whether I would be able to make it to the top. About half way up there is a walkway where I could see people walking, and they looked so small, not ant size, more like sparrow size. It was then that I thought that the climb would be gradual, winding around the dome. I convinced Ann (because we were both hesitant) that it would be a gentle climb. So we both headed for the door to the stairs. Leonardo convinced me that I would make it to the top and that it would be worth the climb.

Ray is getting a drink out of a water fountain before we began our climb.

Ann is getting a drink, too. I like how the camera caught the water drops. 

After about five minutes, Ann finally said to me. "I thought you said it was going to be gentle and a gradual incline?" I could barely answer her as I wanted to use the little breath I had to focus on this climb, a climb that felt almost straight up at times, with no places to stop and rest. " I think...pant, pant...I made a mistake," was all I could get out. I was having doubts. Could this 72 year old asthmatic woman make it to the top? I had remembered my inhaler, and also a handheld fan. The fan was a godsend. At one point, Ann pulled me into a small alcove that felt like air-conditioning. I gulped in the cool air and my heart settled down to a normal beat. 

This is a video that Ray took, looking down  from the walkway. We are about halfway up, or so, I lost track of how far we had been climbing.

Peeking out of the alcove, all I saw were more steps, and even though I wanted to stay in that tiny cool space, I trudged on. Poor Ray was worried about me, so I know I looked like a sweaty wheezing mess. Oh sh#t, I thought. I really don't want to have my picture taken when I get to the top. Why did I have to inherit the sweating genes? Even when I am not creeping up 463 steps I get red and sweaty from just normal exercise. Isn't that funny? The one thing I am concerned about when (at that time I was wondering IF) I got to the top, was how exhausted and red I would look! So I shoved that out of my mind and focused on each step. My legs were not tired at all, but my lungs were yelling at me.

I began the climb by counting the steps but lost count after 158 as I felt it more important to focus on breathing. It reminded me of hiking to Lake Solitaire in the Tetons, when I would think that this would be the last switchback on the trail, and then came upon another, and another and another. The difference was, that here I was confined in a dark, (there was some light, but not much) narrow spiraling stone staircase. I couldn't stop and look at the beauty of the mountains. My vision was grey stone steps that the builders used over 600 years ago. At this time the children's story, "The Little Engine that Could" clouded my mind with, "I think I can, I think I can...." as I slowly chugged up the steps.

At times along the climb there would be a window. Here is one where people have left locks.

Michael took this picture of me climbing the last steps. It felt like climbing a ladder but doesn't look as steep from this angle. My hair is soaking wet with sweat and the shirt I has washed out in the sink is soaking wet, too.

The climb became narrower and steeper but soon my weary, wet face saw a beam of light above my head. At this point, I climbed up a ladder and deposited myself on the platform at the top of the Duomo! The fresh air brought life back into my lungs and the view of the city was awesome. I was proud that I had reached the top but decided then that it would be a once in a lifetime trek for me. The walk down was not as easy as I thought because I was concerned about falling forward, so I hung on to the handrails (when there were handrails). 

Michael and Ann at the top of the Dome. Look how fresh and cool they look.

Ray and Jackie at the top of the Dome. Note, the red face and sweat plastered hair on me. But I am smiling and feeling great.

                                   Michael took a video from the top of the Duomo

The tours to the top are timed so that we did not meet people going the opposite direction. But we did come upon three people on their way up. One woman was wheezing and struggling, worse that I had. Her friends were on each side of her. When I got to her I stopped and said, "You are going to make it to the top. Take your time. Stop and rest. It will be worth it. I was in the same place as you on my way up and many times wondered if I would make it. Do not try to rush and you will get there."  She could only pant out "Thanks" and we both went our opposite directions. I was glad I was going down instead of up. Here are some more pictures from  the top of the dome.

When we finally got down, I stopped to light a candle for Rae. She would always do that when visiting cathedrals. Then we went out to find Stephanie and Bruce to have some lunch.

Lighting a candle for Rae

Bruce, Michael and Ann after lunch

Brush Teeth! No Shower!

Night Ride on a Gondola

I am floating down the narrow canals in Venice listening to the water slap against the gondola.  The gentle rocking makes my eyes heavy. It had been two sleepless nights. Slap, slap, slap, rock rock rock; the gondola silently slithers through the canal. The night sky joins in with its blanket of darkness. Slap, slap, slap, rock, rock, rock......

RING!!!  RING!!!   Who's phone is disrupting this perfect evening!! How unthoughtful.

RING!!!  RING!!!  It continued with its abrasive noise. I opened my eyes to find the culprit who owned that phone, but was greeted with a land phone sitting next to my bed! (Oh s#it, we overslept)

I answered and heard Bruce's concerned voice, "The water taxi is waiting for us now." ADRENALINE RUSH!

I don't know what I said to Ray, but he was already throwing our belongings into our packs and getting dressed at the same time. How fortunate that our luggage was still lost and we did not have to ponder on which outfit to wear. It was just the same old one. Also, how fortunate that we had showered the night before and had most of our stuff packed.

We made it to the lobby, a bit disheveled and disorientated. Michael and Ann had also overslept, and had awoken before us. But they had to do without a shower. That is what Michael said when he saw the clock.

"Brush Teeth! No Shower!" And they scurried to the lobby with clean teeth, and three day old clothes.

At the Venice Train Station. Having no luggage made it easier to travel.

Thank goodness the water taxi waited for us, and thank goodness Stephanie and Bruce did not oversleep. We made it to the train station, found our seats and were able to relax for a couple of hours for our next destination: Florence.

Our train was on time and ready for our trip to Florence.

We met a kind couple from Australia, Mark and Cynthia, while on the train.  Cynthia overheard us talking about our lost luggage and told us she had just had a similar experience. When she found out that my hat had been packed in my suitcase, she generously offered me her second hat (since she had to buy one when her luggage was lost).  

Cynthia was determined I take her hat. 

Next stop: Artists' Palace Hotel in Florence. I loved this place and want to return to spend more time there. The Artists' Palace is located in Piazza San Lorenzo right in the heart of the art and historic section of Florence. Across the street is the oldest church in Florence, The Santa Tranita. It looks so plain on the outside but inside is full of paintings, and colorful religious figures.

The Artists' Palace had at one time been a place for priests to stay, and it also hosted Leonardo da Vinci in 1508. So this place was packed with history. Here is a YouTube that I found on line about this hotel. We loved it, and want to return. I know I have said that earlier, but I really mean it. 

Here is the link. You may want to stay there, too, if you visit Florence.

https://www.artistspalaceflorence.com/en/videos/#lg=1&slide=0

We had the rest of the day to explore. In the evening we were going on a walking tour of the area. That will be the next post in this blog.

To be continued...

Ve-Nice!!

 We have arrived in Venice! So what if we don't have luggage, and  who cares that it took us two days of flying and staying at airports to get here. We finally made it. We boarded a water taxi and took a bumpy and fun ride to our hotel, Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseldo. The water taxi took us right up to the entrance so we stepped out of the taxi, and into the hotel lobby. 

Ray and Michael taking in the ride

Stephanie and Bruce enjoying the ride from inside

Here are some pictures and some  videos of our  water taxi ride. Ray and Michael stood in the back where they could stand and watch. I enjoyed watching Ray's face. He has been wanting to visit Italy for years, and the excitement on his face was evident.

We lost a day in Venice, so we were not able to tour inside St. Mark's Basilica, which was a bummer, but it did not prevent us from walking the streets and just experiencing the flavors of Venice.  We also went off the main touristy area to find a place for lunch. It was here I began to sample bruschetta for most of my meals. I loved all the different types, and each piece was delicious. The fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on slices of yummy Italian bread was all I needed for lunch, and sometimes supper. 

I took this just because there was some guy looking out his window.

Rialto Bridge

Narrow canal on our way to our hotel

The Hard Rock Cafe was right across the canal from our hotel.

We did a little shopping, for clothes, like t-shirts, just in case our luggage was not delivered while we were gone. We did not want to wear the same shirts three days in a row.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square at night

St. Mark's Basilica at night

That evening we took a gondola ride through Venice, serenaded by a talented gondolier. Here are some pictures and a few videos. It was so peaceful as we floated along the canals hearing the water slapping the sidewalks and building walls. There were very few gondolas out and I felt like we had the whole canal to ourselves. Michael chose to not ride because we could only fit five in our gondola. Thank you, Michael. I am sorry you missed this, but you volunteered so quickly, I wonder if you preferred to enjoy Venice on solid ground. 

Floating down a narrow canal in the gondola

Rialto Bridge at Night 

This is Ca' Farsetti, where George Clooney got married.

Michael on the bridge taking our picture

After our gondola ride, we went to our rooms to get some much needed sleep. It was about 10:00 that evening, and we had had a full day. We checked the lobby to see if our luggage had been delivered, and returned to our rooms with toothbrushes and toothpaste supplied by the hotel for those who 'forgot' to pack toiletries. I was ready for a good night's sleep.

Oh, but I can't forget! Before we went to our rooms to finally get some sleep, we made a video to sing Happy Birthday for Leia, our granddaughter. She turned two and we were not there to join her celebration. Thanks to Ann, Michael, Stephanie and Bruce, we sounded like we could go professional, maybe.

To be continued...