Stones

The base of a water basin-- this is exactly how I felt while walking through the museum! "Why me?" he seems to ask.

The last two or three days have been quite hectic.  On Monday, we had a double-header of class, and then I enjoyed a delicious dinner with a few of my friends from the group!  On Tuesday, I was very sick, but traveled to Florence to see a museum and the famous Santa Croce church. I did not enjoy much of the trip since I felt so poorly, but I will admit that a little pain killer goes a long way, so I made it through! And finally, today, we had class followed by a trip to another fantastic museum (the Pinocoteca Nazionale di Siena).  Unfortunately, there are no pics from the pinocoteca because they do not allow cameras or pictures...or as we learned, backpacks and purses.












There were various pieces of art at the museum in Florence-- mostly from the Duomo there.  (In order to protect and keep the statues and artwork safe, they are housed in a museum instead of on/in the cathedral.)

This large bronze piece  is of John the Baptist as he awaits the executioner's blow.   It is amazing the quality of the facial features in work such as this.

Another piece from the Duomo is this wooden statue of Mary Magdalen.

I've seen various works by Michaelangelo while here in Italy, but his Pieta, seen below, is perhaps my favorite.

As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, Dante is EVERYWHERE in Florence.  I couldn't help but to snap this picture as I walked by...obviously, Dante Alighieri is an important name in fine leather goods.

The church of Santa Croce is located in Florence as well.  My favorite part of this church though is not what lies inside, but what lies out.  That's right, my man-- Dante Alighieri!!!

I so desperately wanted a picture taken with him, but he's so large that I would've not even been seen (maybe like an ant in the bottom corner).  I will also admit that everytime I see Dante represented somehow in Florence or Siena or Orvieto, I can't help but to be excited.  This man has had a profound effect on his countrymen, and as most of my students will tell you, on his American readers as well. 

Inside Santa Croce, we visited the tomb of Michaelangelo (and his body actually rests there unlike some other tombs--cough cough--Dante).

Not far from Michaelangelo's tomb is Dante's just-for-looks-tomb.  He is actually buried in Ravenna, where I will be heading tomorrow.

Dante is seated above his tomb, with the muse of poetry weeping on the right side.

Is it me or does he look pissed?

In some ways, I expected this trip to be more about the literature and for this blog to be mostly my reactions to the readings, but what I've found is that I am still percolating on the ideas from class and my half-baked thoughts are not ready for "paper;" however, my thoughts on the sights that I've seen are much more interesting to most of you anyway! :)