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!

It’s the first of March when I’m writing this so I add rabbit rabbit for good luck, in case you didn’t know.

On a perfect Saturday morning (yesterday in fact) I roll out of bed a little tardi, have a fairly healthy colazione, and head out the door bound for a Renaissance era monastery housing one of the many impressive frescoed Last Supper’s in Florence.

It’s not a far walk and it’s a brisk but mild morning. I’m not very familiar with this part of my neighborhood, so everything is new and I’m very distractible, but I keep on my path so I can fill my senses with art first thing.

I feel a sense of discovery and contentment when I see the Medieval facade of this august church.

Outside the church I am delighted to see one of the passages from Dante that are sprinkled throughout historic Florence.

I’ve provided a translation from Google for the quote from The Divine Comedy. I will admit I do not understand the significance of this quote in this location, but it gives me something to strive for to get there hopefully, one day.

I wander inside a side entrance and I’m soon in a courtyard busy with church ladies arranging flowers for tomorrow’s services (I’m assuming) and a priest who’s met with a young family who gives me a welcoming smile.

I’m a bit confused after trying every open door in the courtyard looking for the monk’s refectory and finally ask one of the women where it is. She directs me back out to the street, past the bar on the corner, and a destra (to the left), which I follow and find what I am looking for.

I find the entrance to the refectory and I spend an hour in the delightfully uncrowded space, admiring the masterpiece fresco by Andrea del Sarto, an important Florentine painter of the early 16th century.

After having my fill of the truly amazing artworks housed at this fairly modest museum (the kind of artworks that any American museum would flip over), I go on my merry way, not sure what I will discover, but kind of heading for a small open market I passed by on my way to the church.

I stop and admire the incredible blooms.

I buy a couple of irresistible flower bunches: one of deep red ranuculus and one of red, purple and white anemones. These are 2 of my very favorite spring blossoms and their availability at this tiny little stand in a modest little market kind of blew my mind, if you want to know the truth. I’m from the interior West of the USA and these flowers are only available in the finest, most exclusive florists back there, at very high prices. I’ve tried (unsuccessfully) to grow these flowers in my Denver garden and never had any luck. So, I carried my little bundles of brightness in my bag, with a spring in my step because I was very very happy!

I stopped next at a fruit/veg seller’s stand, under a highway overpass, and was smitten with these luscious strawberries. Of course, I bought a little basket of them as well to enjoy later tonight or tomorrow morning. These ephemeral gifts must be enjoyed almost immediately. You don’t stick them in the fridge and wait to consume. They are ready now and must be eaten subito.

Later I stopped in what turned out to be an award winning and vintage bar/pasticceria and took a cappuccino (that’s how you say it in Italian, you take a coffee, not have or drink a coffee). Marchionne Bar/Pasticceria is the actual name, and Piazza LB Alberti is the actual address. It opened in 1962. I enjoyed looking at all the classic Italian cookies available and thought maybe someday I’ll buy an assortment and see which I like best. Not today, though, bc I’m counting calories.

I passed a brocante and walked in and wound up having a nice chat with the owner and her husband about 2 antique mirrors they have that I covet. One was Murano and the other was gold-leafed wood. I’m tempted by both and took her card, see below. I didn’t take pictures of the mirrors though, and I’m kicking myself about that.

And finally I stopped in my local grocery for a couple of things and this little market has become my go-to for plants. Today they had 3 orange/red geranium plants at a very good price and I snapped them up. This week alone at this market I have purchased 2 rosemary plants, one oregano, and now 3 geraniums. I’m delighted they have such a great seasonal selection and keep my eyes peeled every time I’m there.

I came home, made a nice lunch, and now I’m settling down to enjoy a good book and drink some tea. I’m very happy with my day and tomorrow is a free museum day in Florence and I hope to visit one of the big ones!