Where: Florence, Italy
When: February 9, 2012
With: Rachel and Loren
There are like a billion museums in Florence, but the Uffizi Galleries are the biggest and most popular. Uffizi means "offices" in Italian, and in 1560, these buildings served as the offices of the Florentine magistrates. Over the years, the Medici family started using them to store all their artwork. After the end of the Medici reign, the buildings were turned into a museum to display the family's collection to the public.
The audio guide was a huge help while navigating this place. At this point in our trip, we'd seen a LOT of religious paintings, and after a while....it became a bit repetitive. But the audio explained how the style of paintings developed over the centuries, and since the art was arranged chronologically, you could see the progression. It made it much more interesting to see how the ability to depict perspective and realism was something that developed, not immediately acquired.
When: February 9, 2012
With: Rachel and Loren
There are like a billion museums in Florence, but the Uffizi Galleries are the biggest and most popular. Uffizi means "offices" in Italian, and in 1560, these buildings served as the offices of the Florentine magistrates. Over the years, the Medici family started using them to store all their artwork. After the end of the Medici reign, the buildings were turned into a museum to display the family's collection to the public.
It's basically in a U-shape, with a large courtyard in the center. The long hallways on the second floor are filled with ancient Greek and Roman statues. Then there are offshoots and rooms that jut out from the center U filled with more works of art. The art is arranged chronologically and mostly by artist. The most famous painting in there is probably Botticelli's Birth of Venus (no photos allowed, sadly).
The audio guide was a huge help while navigating this place. At this point in our trip, we'd seen a LOT of religious paintings, and after a while....it became a bit repetitive. But the audio explained how the style of paintings developed over the centuries, and since the art was arranged chronologically, you could see the progression. It made it much more interesting to see how the ability to depict perspective and realism was something that developed, not immediately acquired.
The view from the top floor of the Gallery was pretty nice.
Definitely was a lovely museum to spend a couple of hours in. To go back to our trip in Florence, click here.
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