If “all” of it were put up for sale, would that diminish the price a collector would pay? What value is it for the public to be able to view it, or is it possible to be put into a private collection that might keep it from view? I speculate on this after becoming aware of a book and special effort by the Renaissance art critic Bernard Berenson as the “Homeless Paintings of the Italian Renaissance” project. Are these pieces kept out of sight to increase the sale value of those still seen? Go figure (-:
http://itatti.harvard.edu/berenson-library/collections/fototeca-photograph-archive/homeless-paintings-italian-rena
Now, on to today's activities. We met with Elaine Ruffolo to hear a lecture on Renaissance art – titled – From the Dawn of the Renaissance to the Crisis of Mannerism” Uffizi Prep. Before going to visit the Uffizi Gallery, it was good to get preparation for all we would see – without guide. What a blessing to have this before going. Simply said – Wow. So much art to see, let alone a chance to study even a few of the “Masterpieces.”
http://www.uffizi.com/
I found this wonderful article about Elaine online and thought it might be good to read about what she “sees.” Many of the other guides are just as talented as Elaine. As we hear too often – you just had to be there to...
http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/study_leaders/elaineruffolo/
This next link has an explanation of how a Wisconsin girl leaves the farm to live in Florence (-:
http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/article-view.asp?issuetocId=6681
After reading this article, wonder how many people get the “bug” to return to Italy to learn more about the Art of the Renaissance. Just like the members of the many Road Scholar and other groups she and other guides have helped.
After wandering the halls, and losing focus on what I was a really looking at, decided Carol & I need lunch. We went to the rooftop restaurant with Ned and Lou from our group. We had a leisurely lunch and looked out over much of Florence – how grand. Ned & Lou go off on their own and Carol & I resume viewing a few other smaller galleries within the building. Once the head told me – I’m full - said, let go walk the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. What a story to this old bridge, even to why the Nazi did not destroy it during World War II as they had other bridges that allowed the Allied troops to advance on them. The link below gives a bit more history, to include the “lover’s locks.” The reference to an opera - the bridge is mentioned in the aria "O mio babbino caro" - is special to a member of our group, Gini, who has sung this operatic piece. I was able to make a video of her singing to us later on the trip while we are in Venice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio
After additional – wandering around – Carol & I go back to the hotel to meet the group and go for dinner @ Giubbe Rosse on Piazza della Repubblica 13.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffè_Giubbe_Rosse
http://www.florence.ala.it/giubbeRosse/giubbeRosse.html
We finish the evening with a nice moonlit walk back to the hotel. Tomorrow, another adventure.
Photo 1. The Ponte Vecchio bridge which leads from the Uffizi Museum across the Arno River
Photo 2. Which of these 3 Vehicles – all Ferrari’s do you want?
Photo 3. What is the Value of the art that portray the Virgin Mary? (-:
Click below for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2013C2CDay22of28
