57 Comments

Thank God for art and music!

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Feb 10, 2022·edited Feb 10, 2022

I feel better now. May I mention that Ghirlandaio taught everything he knew to another artist that wasn't a hack either, Michelangelo Buonarotti.

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Feb 10, 2022·edited Feb 10, 2022

Caroline, did you read the book that told all those interesting things about them? It came out years ago. I was still in school.

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I don't think I have read that specific book, I might have to look for it. I have read so much about Michelangelo, and feel that I can guess or know. I'll have to look for that book, you've peeked my interests. Thanks.

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I enjoyed reading it. I would guess there might not be much new in it for you.

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Mary, thank you for this beautifully written article.

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Thank you! Especially for the peacock.

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I love the peacock too!

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I have never gotten to travel, so I really appreciate your beautifully written descriptions of things you saw and experienced. Thank you! 🥰🌹

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A very relaxing piece and illustrations! Art like music is a necessary tonic for the news of the day. Thank you Mary!

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There's nothing quite like stepping off a train in search of a room. Will I find one? Will it "feel right?" Will I feel safe? No suitcase, though. I prefer everything on my back. Thank you for the art. So peaceful.

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These paintings are amazing beyond words. Thank you for sharing these with us.

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Thank you for the wonderful information. I felt like I traveled along with you🙂

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Reading this, plus many of the comments, makes me feel incredibly lucky to live in this beautiful country. I moved here nine years ago after retirement, all alone, met and married a wonderful man, and have never regretted taking this big step.

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So very sweet. <3

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How romantic - happy 9 year anniversary!

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I enjoyed your wonderful art post. Thank you.

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Oh. I LOVE Firenze. We biked/camped around Tuscany years ago and Firenze has a campground high on the hills over looking the city. The MOST amazing view I've ever seen from a tent.

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Mary, Im Furious About Alabama Too, But You Used A Diversion Technique and chose beautiful art and experiences with it in your life and I applaud you, because as I got older this same technique I have used often myself, diverting to Art & Music as I process another issue at hand, gives a wedge of balance in an situation like, and really helps analysis overall rather than 'Flying Off The Handle" as we all tend to want to do, Great exercise in Restraint, Bravo, To The Fresco's as well!

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I spent a year 'a Firenze' in 1984 and had forgotten about this particularly groundbreaking fresco, the metered light and standing for long minutes waiting for someone's lire to get one last close look. I think an art historian on my programme (Syracuse Uni Junior Year Abroad) likened Santa Maria Novella to the Empire State Building in the Manhattan of 1935. It was that important in Florentine history. Made my day. Abbraccio! from Devon, UK

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I was there in '83-'84 with UConn and remember the Syracuse program:)

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Bet we took a lecture or two out on sites together. We were in Piazza Savonarola, I don't recall where UConn was based.

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You're probably right about that. I remember my art history professor at l'Università degli Studi di Firenze, Professore Alessandro Parronchi. He had authored the textbook we were using and it was a beautiful book. UConn students were spread out with 2 or 4 students per apartment throughout the city. I had two roommates from UConn and one from California and we rented from a family in Via Pisano, across the river. UConn had an office along the river where we took classes from the two professors who were on our trip. How do you like living in the UK?

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Sounds like you had all the freedom...Syracuse had American teachers and rooms and yes, we were out in the city taking classes from mostly English-speaking working artists. Via dei Servi and Piazza San Lorenzo had an silkscreen workshop...loved that one. Need to go back :) !

I'm settled in the UK now, dual citizen. The situation at the moment is as dire as the States re Covid and having left the EU. Preferred the Labour years, but the landscape and culture are holding. How is CT?

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Moved to FL in ‘92 after law school; planned to move back north within one year but stayed 30. Family here so wanted kids to know their grandparents and cousins. It was a rude awakening for the first few years but I’ve come to appreciate FL’s natural beauty and the critters that visit my back yard every day. I don’t appreciate the politics however. “Don’t say gay” is the latest…I mean, seriously? We’ve been looking for property in Stowe, VT for three years and are finally closing on 3/21/22. Vacation/investment now, hopefully permanent in 10 years. Dual UK citizenship - cool!!

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Thank you for sharing this. Beautiful art. It makes me feel more relaxed viewing it.

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Ah, Firenze...one of my favorite Italian cities... thanks for sharing these photos and reminding me of Santa Maria Novella. I can almost see the small piazza in front of it.

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