I've just had one of my childhood dreams come true, but not the way it was originally dreamed. When I was 12 years old I dreamt of coming to Florence to study painting and art history. My oldest son has just completed his semester abroad in Florence, studying art history and photography, (he hoarded all of his business school electives for this semester) and I am here to spend a week with him and then bring him home. He and I saved up for a long time to make this happen, and now I am going to share my dream with you.
When I was twelve, I read The Agony and the Ecstacy by Irving Stone for the first time. And the second, and the third, and the tenth time. I read that book til the cover fell off and the pages began to drop out. (In case you haven't read the book, or seen the Charleton Heston movie, it was a biography of Michelangelo, sculptor of The David, and painter of the Sistine Chapel.)
Years later, both of my sons read the book and loved it like I did. Sam found an original hardcover copy in a used book store, from the 50's, and got it for his book collection. Mason took it a step further and chose to study art history in Florence, and then signed up for 2 Italian art history classes…one of them solely about Michelangelo.
Yesterday morning Sam and I arrived at the little airport here in Florence, checked into our hotel, and met Mason after not seeing him for 4 months. Then we managed to get tickets to a twice-a-week private tour of the Vasari Corridor – the hidden corridor that Cosimo de Medici built that goes from the Uffizi, across the top of the Ponte Vecchio, and up the hill (on top of medieval residential buildings) through the Boboli Gardens and finally ending in the Pitti Palace.
We had a tour guide, but since Mason has been studying with a famous Italian Art History professor in 2 classes, he was able to whisper our own magical history tour with all the exquisite and lurid details, as we moved through the 3 hour Uffizi and Vasari Corridor tour with about 12 other people.
I was in heaven.
I put out a dream 40 years ago, and it came back to me yesterday. Certainly not the way it was originally envisioned…. but maybe better?
We have a busy week, and I'll be sending New Year greetings to you from a very special place. Since I have my laptop (i.e. color editing of my digital photos is less accurate) I will edit and post the bulk of the trip's images when I return after Jan 3.
Best wishes and Happy sewing,
Luana
(photo taken of the Ponte Vecchio and Arno River, from the Uffizi Gallery – the Vasari Corridor is the 2nd story across the top of the bridge, with the small windows)
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What a special way for you to have your dream fulfilled, Luana! Florence is such a magical city. I was fortunate enough to live in Italy for three years (my husband was stationed in Naples), and although it has been 40 years, my recollections of our twice-a-year visits to “Firenze” have not diminished. I hope you have a delightful stay and that your treasured memories last you a life-time.
How I envy you your travels in Italy, especially to where Michelangelo lived and worked his magic with his great gift as an artist! I have a copy of THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY in my library also, and it is a book I have loved. I think at age 68, I should probably read it again. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves great art, and to everyone who loves a great book. Can’t wait to see your photos as you travel! Thanks so much for sharing.