Where: Florence, Italy
When: February 7, 2012
With: Loren and Rachel
The museum that holds perhaps one of the most famous sculptures in the world, Michelangelo's David, was the tiniest and most unassuming building possible. We walked right past it when trying to find it (a trend that seemed to be developing while looking for things in Florence).
You can't take pictures inside, so I found some online to give the feel. The museum is only a couple of rooms. When you walk in, the statue that you see is The Rape of the Sabine Woman. It shows a young Roman abducting a Sabine woman from her older, weaker husband. It's a cool statue to walk around because of the way it kind of swirls around above you like a tornado as you walk around the base.
In the next room, you are in a long hallway that leads to the David. But before that, on either side of you are Michelangelo's The Prisoners. Each one is a giant slab of marble that Michelangelo never got to finish (though there is debate he left them like this on purpose), so it looks like the bodies inside the marble are trying to escape. Michelangelo believed that every marble slab had a statue inside it that wanted to break free - he simply thought it was his job to let them out. Unfortunately for these guys, he didn't do his job. They look so tortured!
As you continue down the hall, you must attempt to get out of the way of the multitude of art students sketching the statues around you. Just before you get to the David, there is one statue that isn't encased in its marble. This is Michelangelo's second Pieta. Much rougher and grittier than the one in St. Peter's Basilica, it's also so much sadder. You can feel the weight of the bodies the figures are trying to hold.
The final room in the museum is a showroom. As this was originally an academy of arts, the final projects of the students of the last 200 years have been put on display. This was very cool.
Overall, a nice, quick, and amazing museum. To return to our trip in Florence, click here.
When: February 7, 2012
With: Loren and Rachel
The museum that holds perhaps one of the most famous sculptures in the world, Michelangelo's David, was the tiniest and most unassuming building possible. We walked right past it when trying to find it (a trend that seemed to be developing while looking for things in Florence).
You can't take pictures inside, so I found some online to give the feel. The museum is only a couple of rooms. When you walk in, the statue that you see is The Rape of the Sabine Woman. It shows a young Roman abducting a Sabine woman from her older, weaker husband. It's a cool statue to walk around because of the way it kind of swirls around above you like a tornado as you walk around the base.
In the next room, you are in a long hallway that leads to the David. But before that, on either side of you are Michelangelo's The Prisoners. Each one is a giant slab of marble that Michelangelo never got to finish (though there is debate he left them like this on purpose), so it looks like the bodies inside the marble are trying to escape. Michelangelo believed that every marble slab had a statue inside it that wanted to break free - he simply thought it was his job to let them out. Unfortunately for these guys, he didn't do his job. They look so tortured!
As you continue down the hall, you must attempt to get out of the way of the multitude of art students sketching the statues around you. Just before you get to the David, there is one statue that isn't encased in its marble. This is Michelangelo's second Pieta. Much rougher and grittier than the one in St. Peter's Basilica, it's also so much sadder. You can feel the weight of the bodies the figures are trying to hold.
Finally, at the end of the corrider, you come to the David. It is HUGE. It's also so incredibly detailed. From the veins in his hands to the look in his eyes, the attention to detail is incredible. Apparently, there is debate over the intent of the statue. While it is known that this is meant to David of the David & Goliath fame, it is not agreed whether the statue is meant to show David immediately before he fights Goliath (while he's psyching himself up) or immediately after (calming down from the fight). I think before - he's got game face on - and it's ridiculous that a statue can capture game face.
Overall, a nice, quick, and amazing museum. To return to our trip in Florence, click here.
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