The city of Florence is preparing for the visit of Pope Francis on Nov. 10, 2015. Scaffolding on the prime sites that he will visit are coming down. The Baptistery and the Duomo are shining and the Museum of the Duomo has just undergone an extension and renovation. In all the years that I have come to Florence I have never seen this complex look so brilliant. The Baptistery really is white!
Now, for the opening of the GREAT Museum of the Duomo or as is called in Italian: Il Grande Museo Del Duomo!
BREATHTAKING! Really, I had tears in my eyes. Most of the original sculptures and other art work that had been in the Cathedral for centuries are housed in the museum. For years many artifacts were held in storage and now are beautifully displayed here:
including the original Gates of Paradise exquisitely engraved in gilded bronze by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Took him over 20 years to complete! They were in their original place on the Baptistery till 1990.
The wooden models considered for the Cathedral are shown as well as a detailed video, both in English and Italian, showing the construction of Brunelleschi’s dome.
Donatello’s wooden sculpture of Mary Magdalene, The Penitent Magdalene, and Michelangelo’s last work, The Pietà, are beautifully displayed.
The website of the Museo Del Duomo has included this fantastic virtual tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS5k5CAwt5o
Breathtaking, right?!
In conjunction with the re-opening of the Museum of the Duomo and the National Bishop’s Conference, which Pope Francis will attend, the Palazzo Strozzi is presenting the exhibit “Divine Beauty from Van Gogh to Chagall and Fontana.” The relationship between art and religion from mid-19th century to the mid-20th century is the focus of the exhibit. I found that experiencing this contemporary art gives more relevance and meaning to religion/and or spirituality today. The contemporary art is a contrast to the wealth of Renaissance art surrounding us in Florence and both so very beautiful.
The Strozzi exhibit is not done necessarily in chronological order but rather thematic groupings. The Life of Christ, Contemporary Crucifixions, Prayer, Spirituality, Poetry and Sacred Space as seen in video installations.
Here we have Marc Chagall’s 1938 White Crucifixion. This painting was created to denounce the Nazi persecution of the Jews. Christ is wearing a Jewish prayer cloth and the biblical patriarchs are dressed in Jewish garments. I do not think it is a coincidence that this painting, which is the favorite work of art of Pope Francis is currently on display, to coincide with the Papal visit.
The Prayer, 1914, by Felice Casorati and Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem, 1920, by Stanly Spencer
Florence is putting on its best show for the Pope and an air of excitement permeates- It is just Divine!
Top Divine Eats…
I have noticed this trip that there are many new restaurants popping up that have a new creative feel to them. Yes, Tuscan food and established eateries are world renowned and excellent, but this new younger generation of chefs are pushing their culinary skills to new heights. In my last post I mentioned three, Club Culinario, Touch and Torcicoda . About one year ago, Cucineria la Mattonaia opened in our neighborhood. It makes a pizza that is DIVINE, with a dough that rises for 24 hour, quite the natural way, and very easy to digest. The pasta dishes, and fish as well as meat inventive along with twist on old favorites such as Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper) with added mushrooms.
One of my favorite wine bars (and bread/focaccia/pastry) shop, Cantinetta dei Verrazzano, offers a great fresh squeezed Autumn drink: Spemuta di Melograno or Freshly squeezed Pomegranate juice. What a great place to get your vitamins!
During this special moment in Florence, even the sunsets seem to be more Divine.
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