February 15, 2023
This is the moment Randy has envisioned for decades. He was a teen working in a peach orchard when he read The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone. Here we are in Florence going to see David. The book title depicts us today, me in daily agony with my ankle and Randy in ecstasy upon seeing the marble masterpiece of David. Despite never reading the novel I have researchable knowledge of Michelangelo, marble, and David.
A stop at a local cafe recharges and sets us off to the most unassuming museum entrance in the world! Small touristy gift shops and bookstores line the narrow pedestrian street. While Randy secures our tickets I browse a few stores, a christian bookstore with Italian souvenirs and another bookstore with old hardbacks. One observation I have noticed in my travels is bookstores have the similar, familiar smell which I find grounding. Academy Galleria, contains Gothic paintings, musical instruments, David and other sculptures.
Gold, 2 dimensional and religious describe the Gothic era of paintings in this gallery.
A $16 million Stradivarius musical instrument and its family members stood proudly in front of us.
In the piano room I joked with the security guard about him playing all the pianos after everyone leaves. He nodded and explained that while he does not play them, someone plays them in order to prevent rusty strings.
David is the size of a giraffe. The marble slab from which David was carved was rejected 2x and left outside for 25 years before the 26 year old sculptor was commissioned.
In the room of sculptures we found pieces reminding us of family and friends. This face reminded us of our friend Audrey. A child with a dog reminded us of Mazie. We replicated a sculpture for fun.
While we were with David the kids were skiing away! Luckily they did not break their arms, like 3 other campers did during the week.
Lees in France 