In January of 2020 I had the pleasure of spending 10 days in Paris. Looking back, these are some of my favorite videos of that time. Sigh….

These videos attempt to capture the incredible multi-media show that was a part of the recent exhibition on Benozzo Gozzoli. They are followed by the photos I took in the chapel frescoes, the capolavoro di Gozzoli. Special exhibition or not, this chapel is for me one the highlightiest highlights or art in Italy!

First, a little background. The chapel is in the home of the Renaissance family, the Medici, and to have permission to have a home chapel, dispensation from the Pope was necessary. Sought and gained. And, isn’t the world a better place for this dispensation having been given!

At the high altar, was the altar panel bearing Filippo Lippi’s Adoration in the Forest. This painting is now in Berlin after being sold in the 19th century, while a copy by a follower of Lippi remains in the chapel.

From December of 2021 through early March 2022, the Palazzo Medici hosted a lovely small exhibition on the work of Benozzo Gozzoli and the extraordinary chapel he painted in the palace. It was not to be missed!

Here are some of my photos of the exhibition. In a subsequent post, I will include pictures of the actual chapel, which is always a delight to visit, special exhibition or not. It is one of my favorite works of art in the world!

https://videopress.com/v/TEPsZ9lc?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Please scroll to the end of this post for another video.

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I don’t think we name streets in the states after key dates from American history, do we? I can’t think of any. Fourth of July Boulevard? Nah.

But here it’s common. I live on Via XX Settembre (September 20 street) and it intersects, as you can see below, with Via Nove Febbraio (9 February Street).

Wandering around Florence on a Sunday morning is a favorite pastime. First up, in Piazza della Liberta, stands a mighty Medieval gateway into the city from the north: Porta San Gallo. Nowadays it is fronted by an early 20th century fountain with a spritely figure in the center that does nothing to capture the majesty of the solid tower. But, at least it adds some movement and lightness.

The church of the Valdese Evangelists is always a pretty sight, especially when set against a cloudless azure sky!

A sure sign of spring is this cascading yellow blossomed shrub, Rosa banksiae. Italians (or at least Florentines) use it to great effect to tumble over and soften the appearance of the ubiquitous walls in the city.

A wall of billboards advertise all kinds of museum exhibitions, shows and theatricals. One exhibition I don’t want to miss is the one at the Strozzi on Donatello, one of my favorite artists of all time.

Above are the colors of Florence I see when I shut my eyes and conjure up the city. I get such a kick out of the newstand/toy stores that dot the streets. The one above is sheltered within an a couple hundred year old logia, new against old.

Ah, Florence! What is left to say?!

You want to know how I can tell? In Venice a man assumed I was Italian and in Naples a Neapolitan woman asked me for directions on the subway! Me!

This may not seem like much to you, but for years every time I have spoken Italian in a restaurant or store in Florence, the response is always in English. So disheartening after all the work I’ve put in learning to speak Italian and blend in fashion wise.

And, I knew the answer for the woman on the Neapolitan subway!

I have arrived! Finally!

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It’s been a long time since I posted an image from “Exit Enter” street artist. I enjoyed this painting on the street recently.

Billboard near my house for a musical, “Notre Dame of Paris.” I’m dreaming of Paris right now!

Note to self: whenever you are daydreaming about the “dolce vita” in Italia, remember the flip side. Here I am working for an hour in the Post Office trying to trace a package I shipped to France on November 3, 2021. They are both trying to figure out how to file a “reclaim” form to trace the stupid box. I doubt I will ever see it again and I’m 99% sure it will never arrive in France.

By the same token, recall that it took 1.5 hours at another Post Office to close out my bank account. Yes, my bank account in Italy was with the Post Office.

I recently bought the “Florentine card” which allows me free entrance into many city museums. Not all the museums in Florence, but some that are run by the city.

On a sweet note, a dear Italian friend has been feting me with treats from various regions of Italy. Two are below in the one photo. She is a mighty nice friend!

And, to end on a savory note, the same friend also treated me to these cheesy crackers. Yummy!