Wisteria season!

This was a quick and easy read with an unusual story line that I quite enjoyed.

I love the classics and Waugh never disappoints. I’ve read it in past but rereading this book was a pleasure. Quick and eminently readable, I enjoyed the surprising late book twists and ironic ending. Highly recommend!

Well done, provides rich detail and context to Occupied Paris during WWII, and is essentially heart-breaking, as that time in world history was. The very best kind of historical fiction.

Another interesting book by the same author. Wow, Belfoure is impressive.

This is a good book too, but a bit tiresome to read since it toggles between so many running narratives. Still, I learned a lot about the fair, about Olmstead the landscape architect, and about the first Ferris Wheel.

And Spare by H. I found this to be more interesting than I expected. Did he write this? It’s well written, much better than I’d expect Harry to be capable of doing.

I’ve tried to read the American classic Moby Dick several times and never could make it through. I recently saw a film made for Netflix that brought the story to mind and when I ran across this title, I couldn’t resist dipping it. It is well worth the read. It made me understand and appreciate Melville’s incredible mastery. Maybe I’ll give Moby Dick another try.

One by one, the various species of trees in Florence come to life this month!

This magnolia has come to life! Wow! Words not needed!

On a recent Sunday morning I was lucky enough to catch this display of an ancient Florentine custom in front of the Palazzo della Signoria.

On a recent Saturday morning I visited this incredible fresco that is still in situ and has never suffered any bombing (unlike Leonardo’s Last Supper in Milan). I posted about that very enjoyable day not long ago and today comes the scholarly version, because this gorgeous painting deserves that much and more.

Christ gives the piece of bread to Judas above. This is an unusual portrayal of the theme of the Last Supper; usually Judas is portrayed on the opposite side of the table from Christ and with his back towards the viewer.

Moving back to Christ at the center, we now move from left to right along this side.

At the top of the arch that surrounds the lunette shaped fresco by Andrea, is his highly unusual depiction of the Trinity. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anything like it. It reminds me of sculptures of the Janus head in Roman art.

Directly above Christ, this genre scene shows everyday figures from the early 1500s. Am I correct in positing that we have a Florentine in orange who is bothering a servant for the monastery who probably just delivered some food? What is your interpretation?

One of the great things about this museum is that facsimiles of del Sarto red pencil drawings done in preparation for the fresco are exhibited in the same room. These treasured studies are in the Uffizi Museum collection. I choose this drawing to show you, because it reveals the artist’s process. Compare the drawing with the appropriate section of the fresco, further below, for an understanding of his approach. It’s very interesting.

One of the best things about living in Florence is the knowledge that masterpieces like this fresco are almost infinitely available. That thought and feeling is the best thing in the world for me.

I’d only add: you continue to study and write about this great big world’s fabulous array of art forms. Writing makes me happy.

It’s interesting to observe how palazzo decoration changed over the decades. In fact, the overall plan and design of these major, usually domestic architectural structures maintain a pretty strict elevation developed in the Renaissance. The only thing that reflects the decade in which one is built is the applied decoration.

I present, for your appreciation, three examples found in the Gravinana section of Florence, which is on the SW side of the city. I think the deco and nouveau decorations speak for themselves. Enjoy looking at something just a little different from the usual.

Florence offers no end of interesting walks. I’ve never, ever gone out on any walk and not found something fascinating, either visually or historically.

Last weekend I was strolling around the other side of the Arno River from my home. I’ve never had the opportunity to get to know this neighborhood before now. I found a cluster of art deco and art nouveau structures. Fascinating. I love seeing how Italian architects took the basic palazzo plan and added art deco elements that make a very interesting hybrid.

No. 17 is my lucky number, so I’m always happy to see it!