If this blog has piqued your interest in this intriguing historical figure, I’d recommend a couple of these excellent videos. You’ll learn a lot about Renaissance Italy in the process.

Beating the heat while still getting outside in the early morning.

See the walker in the red shirt below? His reflection in the still Arno River is more visible than the man himself.

Below, I tried to capture the sound of the breezes rustling, the dogs barking and the birds singing, without traffic noise.

Below, a lone rower on the Arno river, while locals chat on a bench.

My final post, which began a year ago, on the collection of this fine museum.

Such a great place to spend time and understand the medieval past just a little better.

Please find me on YouTube! www.youtube.com/@GetbackLauretta

After my fairly regular weekly bridge game in the Oltrarno of Florence, I like to cross the Ponte Santa Trinita and visit the basilica of the same name. It is one of my favorite churches in the city for a number of reasons. You will see some of them below.

In general, I like to make my posts as concise as possible and to deliver some kind of thoughtful information.

In this post today, I’m abandoning that goal and just sharing pictures I’ve accumulated over several visits. I still can’t believe my good fortune in being able to return again and again to my favorite places. I see something new on every visit.

The standout of this church for me is this set of 15th century frescoes by the painter Ghirlandaio. I adore his work. You might have heard about him if you know anything about the life of Michelangelo; the future painter of the Sistine Chapel ceiling was apprenticed with Ghirlandaio in the late 1480s and learned the technique of fresco painting from the older master.

Look at these contemporary portraits of Florentine citizens by Ghirlandaio in the Sassetti Chapel at Santa Trinita. Many of them are identifiable.

The same church also houses the Davanzati chapel which houses a significant sculpture attributed to another Quattrocento great, Donatello.

You can see the bust, flanked by painted angels, in the arched niche below.

It’s hard to get a good picture of it in this light.

The terracotta bust was restored in 2014 and information about that process is displayed in the chapel.

The next shot is a detail from the frescoes above the Donatello work.

In the Davanzati chapel is the funeral monument of Giuliano Davanzati. This is comprised of a Roman sarcophagus from the 3rd C AD, topped with a lid of a recumbent figure of the deceased, which has been attributed to the renowned Renaissance artist Bernardo Rossellino. It is said that the sculpture depicts a shepherd with lambs, interpreted in a somber, almost monastic manner.

Below is the ancient sarcophagus

The classical tomb and its incorporation of ancient elements reflect both the devotional and commemorative ambitions of the Davanzati family, and makes it one of the most distinctive private memorials within the basilica.

Also in this important chapel is the tempera painted altarpiece:

Above and below are pictures of The Crowned Virgin with 12 Saints by Bicci di Lorenzo (c. 1373-1452).

I’ll end this post with some of the informational documents that are displayed within the church.

Today is the day that I am finally reaching my goal of posting on my new YouTube channel. I’m joining the 21st century, better late than never. If this link doesn’t get you there, my new channel name is Get back Lauretta! which you can find here: www.youtube.com/@GetbackLauretta

My first vlog on Youtube shows scenes of Florence, both natural and man-made. I hope you will like it! I’m excited about the format: you can extend it to full screen for a much better viewing experience. It’s almost like being right here in Italy with me!

I plan to keep posting here as I love the format, but in time I’ll be moving primarily to YouTube. I sincerely hope you will join me there!

Buon ferragosto! Today is the Italian holiday officially kicking off the summer break, but most Italians are already on vacation!

Yikes! It’s hotter than Hades here again! I’m so looking forward to fall!

The only time I can enjoy being outside is first thing in the mornings. Even late in the evening is too hot to be pleasant for a walk. Today I wound up at the Sant’Ambrogio market, which is all but shut town for Ferragosto , the annual vacation month of August.

Figs are my favorite treat in August and September.

The Italian grapes are just now showing up in the market place. Previously they were imported and while good, they weren’t as good as these!

Inside the market building is almost deserted as well this month, but a couple of stalls are still open.

Walking home, I loved seeing this apple tree filled with fruit.

The pleasures of the season mixed with the heat! This is August in Florence!