When strolling among Florence’s 16th c. palazzos, I sometimes imagine leaving the contemporary world and being back in the Renaissance. Michelangelo might be over there purchasing a leather pouch at a seller’s cart, or perhaps that’s him, there, stepping into a trattoria for a bowl of pasta.
“‘Contemporary’ is a word you won’t find very favored in Florence,” I heard a colleague say. It’s true, “New” and “Now” are not what Florence immediately brings to mind. But when Michelangelo was carving his “David,” Florence was the Now place and very “contemporary” (upsetting a lot of people who had more traditional tastes and values)
Florence was so modern that we are still benefiting from it. Michelangelo’s “David” is not a crucifix made by an unknown medieval artisan. It is an idealized human form sculpted by a known artist of genius and ambition. This idea of the individual genius and entrepreneurial spirit, this idea of a Michelangelo, or a Beethoven, or an Einstein, or a Bill Gates, began here in these once very contemporary renaissance streets and palazzos of Florence.
4 comments:
When imagining Michelangelo Buonarroti buying a pomegranate at a market in Florence, this lovely portrait may help. It is by Daniele da Volterra, a very good friend of the master. http://www.listphile.com/Famous_Left_Handed_People/Michelangelo_Buonaroti/image/439px-Michelango_Portrait_by_Volterra.jpg
An interesting fact about da Volterra. Michelangelo provided him with sketches on which Daniele based some of his paintings, especially his series of frescoes in the Orsini chapel in the Trinità dei Monti, the commission for which Daniele had received in December of 1541.
Hmmm, I bet you thought those frescos were Michelangelo's didn't you?
Saw on PBS the other day a film on the Medici. I assume you are aware of it... Carol
Unfortunately, Stacy, Daniele da Volterra is best know for dressing Michelangelo's nudes in the "Last Judgement."
I am thoroughly enjoying reading about and seeing Florence and the surrounding area through the eyes of an artist. When reading about Michaelangelo it reminded me of a great book, MICHAELANGELO AND THE POPE'S CEILING, by Ross King. It's post-David, and relates the story of the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and his struggle initially to paint in the frescoe style, when he had originally gone to Rome to create the Pope's tomb.
Anyway, keep it coming Scott, you are enticing all of us to plan a trip to Florence.
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