“A beautiful body perishes, but a work of art does not” —Leonardo da Vinci
The many charms of Florence.
Ramblings through Florence.
Scudieri. A pastry shop with an incredible location!
Saint Patrick’s day is coming!
Florence shows it plans to celebrate that Irish holiday!
Laureare. To graduate university.
Laurearsi? Not sure. It’s something along these lines.
See the young woman with flowers in red paper in her arm?
She just graduated from university. How do I know?
Because she wears a “corona” or a circle of bay leaves on her head.
What a beautiful custom! I look forward to seeing more graduates around Florence over the coming months. I hope to have my camera ready sooner so I can get a front view!
Florence today
Next door to Art nouveau
Another piece of art nouveau, but I am afraid, as lovely as it is, it is overshadowed by its next door neighbor.
Still, this building is a knock out. I’ll go back for more photos soon.
Art nouveau in Florence
I stumbled upon an architectural gem today in Florence. A living, breathing piece of art nouveau, in situ, complete.
I honestly don’t think that I’ve ever seen art nouveau in any form in Florence. I’ve seen it in Lucca in the so-called “Liberty” style decorating some buildings.
I’ll be going back for more photos soon. Maybe when the sun is out??
Ospedale degli Innocenti, Firenze
Today I was happy to visit the Renaissance masterpiece by Brunelleschi, the Ospedale deli Innocenti. What a way to spend an afternoon.
This newly opened museum has something for everyone. Gorgeous Renaissance architecture and the amazing history, beautifully presented with cutting edge museum design, of one of the world’s first orphanages. If that isn’t enough, there is also a small but choice collection of paintings and some sculpture, including a Botticelli. And, as if that isn’t enough, there is a lovely rooftop cafe, serving lovely drinks and coffees, and some nice food! Beautiful views!
I can’t recommend this museum highly enough.
Great technology presents the history of the institution and the building.
The history of the institution is presented in a very understandable and visually interesting manner.
No detail is overlooked.
The labels are very understandable. I didn’t listen to the audio available, but you can see on the sign below that the audio tour stops here.
Over time, the ospedale not only took in and cared for orphans, it also provided technical training for many children. This being Florence, of course one of the technical vocations trained for was artist’s assistant!
At least one of the children who found support at the ospedale was Giovan Battista Naldini, who had artistic talent which found expression after Pontormo.
One of the rooms in the museum has this amazing display of 140 small objects left with the babies deposited at the ospedale. You can open any of the drawers and see the evocative mementos sometimes left with the babies.
The association of salt — with the preservation of health— survived in Florence: a small supply of salt left with a child dropped anonymously at the Ospedale degli Innocenti, the foundling hospital, meant the infant was unbaptized.
King, Ross (2012-10-30). Leonardo and the Last Supper (p. 235). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.
get back, lauretta! 
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