Last night all of the state-run museums in Italy were free to enter as they stayed open late. So, after enjoying a wonderful aperitivo with a few friends in a cool place in Piazza Santo Spirito in Florence, we found ourselves staring at the long line in front of the Uffizi Gallery. It should have come as no surprise that everyone apparently had the same idea.
My friend Simone, one of my “character” friends who is always good for a laugh and often a dirty joke or two, suggested that the line would move fast and we should wait in it. But we had passed the Palazzo Pitti on the way over and noticed there was no line there. Both locations have so much to see, so it was a no-brainer to go there instead.
Well, we were in luck. The Pitti was having a very special exhibit that included works by so many of the greats and they had hand-picked these pieces from the Uffizi, Bargello, and other big name museums. So, we got to be close enough to touch a Botticelli, Michelangelo, Cellini, Donatello, and so many other names that I can only recognize them, rarely call them to mind. Such is my problem with labels. We were there for almost three hours until they began to close around 11 p.m. It was so cool to be inside the Pitti Palace that late at night! What views from the windows!
And while I was not supposed to take photos, since I do not use a flash, I follow that naughty guideline of “It is better to ask forgiveness than permission.” Mind you, this “rule” does not fit for all kinds of rule-breaking. So, I want to share with you some of the images that I took last night since I went to the effort and all . . .
And in closing, I just want to share that it is almost an overwhelming experience to be in a space in which you walk on design, look up at the ceiling for marvelous art, and then have the walls to compete for your attention! In fact, when the Italians put on a temporary exhibit, they erect colored walls to stand IN FRONT OF their decorated walls. It is bizarre how rich this country is with aesthetic and sensual experiences!
And I wanted to thank Linda Bell Brighton for featuring my charcoal and pastel (and SOLD) drawing “Tuscan Vista” on her blog Secrets of How to Write a Book. In a possibly strange coincidence, she also spoke about a quote from William Arthur Ward: “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.” This made an impression on me as a young child (it was on the cover of a diary that I received one year for my birthday) and I used it as the basis of a speech I gave during my high school graduation.
2 comments:
Congrats on those beautiful photos of Palazzo Pitti Art. And since you didn't use a flash, Father Pier Luigi gives you forgiveness.
What camera did you use?
The one that evening was my last Sony, given to me by my father's wife. The one before was a gift from one brother, but it finally died the week before I flew to Italia. I just posted on Facebook a question about what camera would be the best investment. I will research the suggestions in the coming days - hoping for SALDI! The Sony I have now will die soon, as well. And it, too, has dirt inside of the lens. I am very hard on cameras, but of course, they make those digitals much less durable than they used to make the film cameras.
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