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Published: January 18th 2018
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Tonight, for our latest blog we are to write about the must-see spots we have visited since we have been here and how it contrast from the art in Siena as well as family. So far, I would have to say that a few of my favorite spots have been the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. I also really enjoyed the Instituto degli Inocenti but I have already written half a blog about that museum, so I will not be writing about that during this blog.
The Galleria dell’Accademia has been one of my favorite spots for a multitude of reasons. Of course, my main reason is because Michelangelo’s David is there. The statue of David is undoubtedly Michelangelo’s most known piece but in the same room as David you are able to see some of his unfinished pieces. Those pieces reveal his technique of sculpting and you can start to piece together how he would have created the David. Seeing the David has honestly been one of highlights of this trip. I had always wanted to study this piece because there is so much movement within the marble statue.
When you
walk into the museum, you do not initially see the statue because it is in the adjacent room. However, when you walk into the room the statue of David is in, you cannot help but notice him. From the entrance to what I like to call “the hallway of Michelangelo” the statue of David does not seem very large. But as you gradually get closer to him his true stature is revealed. From head to toe David stands at about sixteen feet tall.
I had mentioned before that I wanted to study this piece because of the movement. What I mean by that is from every angle you are able to see a different part of the Biblical story – David and Goliath – that he was based off of. When looking straight on you see him in an almost relaxed position. He is standing in a casual stance with his face looking to his right in a nostalgic expression. His right hand is on his shoulder holding one part of a sling-shot. His other hand is down by his side holding a second part of the sling-shot and is close to his body as if it
had already been used. However, if you go around to his right side and look at him, his stance has changed. At this angle you can see his face straight on and his face holds a pensive expression as if his is calculating his next move. His body looks as if it is about to lunge off the podium he is on and into battle. Then, when you go to his left side he looks like he is studying his opponent from afar. I just have so many emotions toward this piece and for the sculptor who created it.
Now the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo was added to my favorite must-see list because of the Mary Magdalene sculpture. This piece is actually what my favorite piece from the Instituto degli Inocenti was modeled after. This piece was carved from wood and it depicts Mary in her later years after she had become a hermit, and this is such a rare occurrence. Her face is very gaunt, yet her forearms were sculpted to be muscular. One way to interpret those contrasting aspects is to say that Donatello wanted to show that Mary was still a strong and faithful
woman by representing her inner-strength on the outside with the muscular arms and that her gaunt face shows that she has been through a lot in her lifetime.
I honestly have not noticed much of a difference in the art from Siena and the art from Florence other than the art from Siena has more of a medieval spin to it. We were in Siena for such a short period of time, so it is hard to think back on the specific pieces to compare them.
As for the family portion of this blog, I believe that the Italians are a lot like us except they speak Italian rather than English. I have not really been able to observe families interacting together, but from our speaker that presented to our class, I would like to think that they are more cautious in starting families. I think that I would have an easier time starting a family over here rather than bringing my existing family here. I just really enjoy the Regio Amelia approach that is used in the preschools here and I think that it would be an amazing way to teach a child.
My family is a very large family, so I think it would be very hard for us all to be together here. We would definitely stick out since the family size here is usually three and ours is six if you are just counting my brothers, sister, and parents.
My total steps taken for Wednesday were 14,787 and my total steps for Thursday were 12,471.
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