Air, Landier, and Sea

Uffizi Museum

Filipo Lippi (the master to Sandro Botticelli)

Today we had another early start to the day. Once again, we were scheduled to meet our tour guide at 8:45, so we thought it best to meet at 8:30.

We met Christina, who was our same wonderful guide from the Academy Museum yesterday. She not only was very interesting and knowledgeable, she took much better pictures than our first guide (bless her heart).

Photo Christina took
Photo our first tour guide took

The Uffizi Museum was commissioned by Cosimo I who was the first Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany. Not to be confused with Cosimo the Elder who is the main character in the first season of Medici and the one who commissioned the building of the Duomo.

Here’s what we learned at the Uffizi:

  • Cosimo I and his son Francesco were so interested in alchemy that they wanted a room to reflect the four elements. The alchemist room represents land (the floor), air(the sculpted swirls on the wall), fire (red velvet walls) and sea (actual seashells on the domed ceiling).
Seashells on the ceiling
  • Sandro Botticelli has some of the most striking renaissance paintings (Spring and The Birth of Venus)
Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera (Spring)
Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus
  • This museum was originally the Medici’s personal museum that they used to entertain their guests
  • Cosimo I commissioned an artist to paint the faces of all the celebrities of the time done to hang on the wall. He took this idea from a friend who had done the same thing in his palace. Bryce considers this the original People Magazine.
Ceiling in the main hall of Medici’s Uffizi Museum with all the celebrities of the time lining the upper wall (or just above the windows on the right)
Fabriano, Adoration of the Magi
Giotto’s Madonna and Child

After the Uffizi we decided it was time for more caffe latte freddo and then spent the day enjoying walking around the city and looking in local shops.

View of the city from Uffizi Museum

Another fun moment for us was getting to watch a parade and flag demonstration last night as we were on our way to dinner.

We marched alongside this parade of horns and flags from our hotel to the Palazzo Vecchio

Katie

One response to “Uffizi Museum”

  1. lawelzig Avatar
    lawelzig

    The Uffizi Museum looks incredible! And, I am so glad Christina took better photos!!!! I really enjoyed the pictures of the chemist room! That’s interesting about how Cosimo I commissioned an artist to paint the faces of all the celebrities of the time done to hang on the wall – I love Bryce’s thoughts on that, too! I would have never guessed someone who have done that. I am learning new things every day from your adventures! Of course, I have to comment on the coffee – the caffe latte freddo looks refreshing and yummy! Hugs & Love!

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