On a recent visit to the Uffizi, I was surprised to see this famous British painting!

The Uffizi is now closed for Covid.

The Catholic Church has a lot of followers in Italy, to state the obvious. It is interesting to note how the church maintains its connection with its parishioners during this difficult time:

The very important church of Santissima Annunziata in Florence has posted these updates on the door.

Besides the information these signs deliver, I love to look at them for the colors and fonts. I imagine they are very much like signs created for the past several hundred years. I love catching Italy at its most traditional.

You don’t often see portraits of famous Romans as children, but the Uffizi has this interesting bust, believed to be of Nero, detailed above.

Also of interest in the collection is this possible portrait of Nero as a child.

Unrelated, but of interest is this painting by Antonio da Correggio, popularly called Correggio. He was was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High Italian Renaissance. He was responsible for some of the most vigorous and sensuous works of the 16th century. In his use of dynamic composition, illusionistic perspective, and dramatic foreshortening, Correggio prefigured the Baroque art of the 17th century and the Rococo art of the 18th century. He is considered a master of chiaroscuro.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/pinault-collection-museum-paris

https://www.vogue.com/article/paris-lockdown-round-two

Read the article to learn about supporting Shakespeare and Company during this difficult time. Merci!

https://friendsofshakespeareandcompany.com

Unfortunately, the Uffizi Gallery is closed because of Covid. So, it is set to look back at pictures from my most recent visit to the famous museum.

On a recent Sunday visit to the Uffizi, I snapped a few pictures of paintings that caught my eye on that particular day. It is such a luxury to visit the Uffizi often and turn attention to paintings that catch my eye. Now that we are in a semi lockdown and the museums are closed, I like to look back and study in some detail these marvelous works.

Gentile da Fabriano is one of my favorite Quattrocento painters and this altarpiece is a masterpiece.

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This altarpiece below, by Antonello da Messina, seems so modern to me. It is difficult to believe it dates to the 1400s. To me it looks like it was painted in the 1800s. Maybe it is just the modern frame.

No, it isn’t just the frame. The Madonna and child both look 19th century to me.

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I will travel far and wide to see paintings by Andrea Mantegna. Fortunately, I only have to go into Florence’s centro to admire this lovely altarpiece by the talented quattrocento painter.

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Beatrice d’Este is a fascinating Renaissance era woman and this portrait is stunning! Look at the way her hair is dressed; look at her incredible dress with its amazing sleeves. The jewels, the fabrics! Wow.

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