More Renaissance Art to See!

4, Ottobre (Venerdi)

We were on our way to the Duomo, but came upon the Medici Chapel on the way. Well, why not go in we thought. Here we are, and it's on our list! Beautiful outside structure and the interior is an amazing charcoal grey palate of marble housing the tombs of the prominent Medici (the ruling family of Florence during the Renaissance).

Medici Chapel

Chapel interior

In the Nuovo Sacristy, we enjoyed the Michelangelo sculptures depicting Dawn and Dusk on the tombs.

The female "dusk" reflects lunar light

Next we elected to visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo, the church attached to the chapel, dedicated to the favorite Medici:  Lorenzo the Great. It's huge "unfinished" facade  is a mistaken cover for the beauty it houses within.  We couldn't take photos inside but enjoyed the grey-sandstone pillars contrasting with the white plaster walls, the Donatello pulpits, Fra Fillipo Lippi's "Annunciation" and the Bronzino "Martyrdom of St. Lawrence".

Medici Chapel-San Lorenzo complex

San Lorenzo in panorama

After leaving the basilica, we happened upon an old building with iron rings in the walls. I suppose this is not all that unusual for ancient Florentine buildings, but we decided to check out this one.

Wall of the Palazzo

It was the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, and I knew there were some very special frescoes in this one. We were not disappointed! The rich, vibrant colors of Benozzo Gozzoli's "Procession of the Magi" was breath-taking. The small chapel's walls are completely filled with a continuum of this composition. The artist used the faces of many prominent figures of the time, making it a parade of Florence.  It is truly outstanding and one of our favorites at this point.

Gozzoli's "Procession of the Magi"

As a quick note: please forgive the typos and layout of this blog. I'm having a tough time with the creation- don't know if it is an I-pad issue, local internet or what--but editing is very difficult and the whole thing is getting a bit frustrating. Will have to see if this improves or might need to abort this project!