It’s a sad thing to walk through the courtyard of the Uffizi at dusk nowadays. It sits dark and empty, with its landmark Caravaggio exhibition awaiting the signal to reopen. I thought I heard a whisper “soon.” Probably was my imagination.

Just off the courtyard, on the little alley that leads into the center of it, is another of the ubiquitous tabernacles that decorate all of Italy. This one is barely looked at, with so much to vie for the attention of a passerby here. But, last night, I noticed it, in all of its neglected beauty.