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Site & Content
©2002-7 Learn Italy Ltd. |
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cercate il sito Learn Italy della Societa Dante Alighieri
- Comitato di Siena, clickare qui
www.learnitaly.com |
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| The emphasis of
this study week will be on architecture, and the frescoes and
sculpture with which Florentines traditionally have embellished
their buildings. In particular we will explore the transformation
of medieval Florence into the Renaissance style of Brunelleschi,
Alberti, and-eventually-Michelangelo. Whenever possible we will
examine such works in situ, or when necessary in the museums
to which they have been moved. |
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| The religious centre
of Florence contains the key references for understanding the
visual art of the city. The Romanesque Baptistery afforded Brunelleschi
his principal model for an architecture free of 'barbarisms'.
The thirteenth-century mosaic inside its dome displays the 'Greek'
(Byzantine) style that Vasari took as the starting point for
the revival of painting, and its three bronze doors document
the stylistic transition from Andrea Pisano's Gothic reliefs
to Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise. Giotto's Campanile displays
trecento reliefs of the inventors of the liberal and mechanical
arts. The Cathedral or Duomo is not only crowned by Brunelleschi's
magnificent dome: it contains major monuments, including the
equestrian frescoes by Uccello and Castagno. However the majority
of its sculptures are now displayed in the Museo dell'Opera
del Duomo. |
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| In the eastern
outskirts of the old city, the Franciscan church of Santa Croce
preserves important frescoes by Giotto, Taddeo Gaddi and the
Daddis, and sculpted monuments by Donatello and other quattrocento
sculptors, all in their original locations. Brunelleschi's exquisite
Pazzi chapel graces one of the two cloisters, while further
masterpieces are displayed in the refectory (now a museum). |
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| The Medici based
themselves north of the ancient city, where they commissioned
Brunelleschi to rebuild first the Old Sacristy, and eventually
the whole church of San Lorenzo. They also commissioned Michelozzo
to build the nearby monastery of San Marco, decorated by Fra
Angelico, and then their enormous palazzo. A century later a
Medici pope employed Michelangelo to add a New Sacristy to San
Lorenzo as a family mausoleum. Further east stands Brunelleschi's
graceful Foundling Hospital or Innocenti, where he first worked
out the elements of his new architectural language. |
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| To the west of
Florence stands the great Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella,
which also attracted conspicuous patronage. There are key frescoes
by Masaccio, Ucc ello, Ghirlandaio, and Filippino Lippi, plus
a spectacular chapter house and cloister. Alberti added the
first Renaissance church façade in Florence during the
1450s, financed by Giovanni Rucellai, who also commissioned
him to redesign the Palazzo Rucellai. The trecento Palazzo Davanzati
should offer us a striking contrast to these Renaissance palazzi.
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| On the north bank
of the Arno stands Santa Trinità, which contains the
best surviving frescoes by Lorenzo Monaco, Ghirlandaio's celebrated
Sassetta chapel, and a marble tomb by Luca della Robbia. South
of the river rises Santo Spirito, Brunelleschi's mature solution
for a Renaissance basilica, made much more coherent than San
Lorenzo, but finished without the benefit of Medici money. Masaccio's
frescoes in the Brancacci chapel of the Carmine became (according
to Vasari) the school for the next three generation of painters. |
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| A visit to Florence
is incomplete without climbing the hill overlooking the city
to the Romanesque church of San Miniato al Monte. Santa Felicità,
containing Pontormo's unforgettable Deposition, offers a convenient
starting point for this walk. On the way down the late quattrocento
church of San Salvatore al Monte is well worth a visit (if open),
for it displays Cronaca's fascinating response to Brunelleschi's
all'antica architecture. |
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| This study week
does not include visits to the Uffizi, the Bargello, the Accademia,
or the Pitti palace. Individuals eager to visit or revisit these
great collections of Renaissance art might consider staying
in Florence independently for some extra days. |
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If you wish to
join this study week, please contact Martin Gray
at
01865 860984 or
enquiries@learn-italy.com
to receive a booking form.
Places on the holiday will be first-come, first-served,
based on receipt of the booking form and deposit.
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