A Day Back in Florence

I'm pretty notorious for taking my sweet time in the mornings, which means I typically don't have time for breakfast when it comes down to it. I made sure to wake up earlier today, though, so I could actually sit down and eat (when I didn't have time, I would steal a few croissants from the breakfast room in the hotel, don't worry). 

The first place we checked out today was absolutely on the other side of town today; I had no clue where we were when we got there. The church is called Santa Maria del Carmine (car-mee-neigh). This building went through a fire in the 1700's; however, the Brancacci chapel survived with some important works of art by Masaccio, Masolino, and the son of Filippo Lippi.  

This is Tribute Money by Masaccio. It is pretty political in its purpose because it's about the scripture in Matthew 17 where it is taught that people should pay to the government what is due and to pay to God what is due. When it was being painted, there was a tax that people didn't want to pay but like. they gotta. The tax collector is on the right hand side and he is in contemporary clothes, which is what calls out the audience. 

When studying this work of art, I didn't expect it to be so high up and located where it is. Being on this study abroad has helped me learn a million times faster because everything is in context. 

This is an fresco right next to this work of art about the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Eve is modeled after the Capitoline Venus which can now be seen in the Capitoline Museum (I went there back in Rome). It's called the "Modest Venus Pose." It's super unique because of all the emotion in these figures. I was hoping we would see this work of art and when we did I absolutely did not expect it.

We walked down a few streets and came to the church of Santa Felicita to check out the Capponi Chapel. This is a Mannerist work of art called The Deposition by Pontormo. The title is a bit tricky because the subject matter is pretty vague. There isn't a cross so they might not be taking Christ down and there isn't a tomb to place him in, so it isn't a burial. Tricky stuff. 

I didn't expect to have art feelings about this work of art but I definitely got misty eyed. I might have cried if only people weren't talking to me. The colors are so much more vibrant compared to reproductions. The poses are weird because the focus is on the idea or emotion and the artist did a wonderful job. Looking at this work of art in person made the figures' emotions so much more real. Each figure is distraught over the death of Christ or they're distraught over the emotion of Mary (the woman reaching out with the blue over her head). This work of art has zero straight lines; it is completely asymmetrical. The figures are elongated. It is absolutely anti-Renaissance and anti-Classical. Before seeing this work of art, I did not like it; I thought it was way too weird. But it's not about the poses or colors. It is about Christ and His sacrifice.

I've realized that even though I am primarily studying Catholic works of art, my testimony is strengthened by them. These are all the same stories I was taught going up. Christ's sacrifice is everywhere for me here. I could never forget and I am perpetually grateful. I work harder every day to take advantage of the atonement because of it.

Here's a little self-portrait by Pontormo! He's the guy with the green hat. Mary is just to the left.

Steve bought us all gelato then we had a report by student Krosbi about the Rape of the Sabines by Bologna. It was sculpted in 1581-83. It is a Mannerist work of art which would have a huge amount of influence on Baroque art. 

When Bologna started working on this, he didn't have a particular subject in mind. In fact, it was once known as "Group of 3 Figures." It is now about the Sabine Women. Way back in the day, the early Romans needed more ladies to help populate their new land so they tried to pitch a deal with the Sabine Men who said "Nah." Because the Romans really needed ladies, they went around and stole those ladies (rape=abduction). That's what this scene now depicts. 

It's a difficult composition which utilizes a serpentine shape which was carved from one block of stone. It is meant to be viewed from all angles. It's pretty darn advanced because of the focus on emotion. 

This work of art is still being displayed outside which is pretty dangerous for sculptures. There is a wire which is discreetly monitoring the work of art so that they might help prevent it from imploding due to weight. 

For the last stop of the day, we checked out this scene of the Last Supper by Castagno. It's located inside a monastery which was previously closed to the public until Napoleon was just himself and made them open it up so people could see their cool art.

It's considered the first Renaissance Florentine Last Supper. It is just a complex scene with the insane perspective and straight lines. Christ also isn't in the center and Judas is just hanging out in front. What's going on there, Judas? Despite being a Renaissance piece, it is not harmonious or peaceful. It is emotionally busy.

After eating some lunch, I took my clothes to a laudromat and did my laundry. While my clothes spun in their machines, I read the last book I brought, Michelle Obama's Becoming. It is so well-written!