Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . e changes and fluctuations of Christian art, down to the second classic period, whichmay fairly be ranked as equal with the first—the Renaissance. Here the northernstranger, who has crossed the Alps for the first time, makes acquaintance with Raphael,Michael Angelo, Andrea del Sarto, Fra Bartolomeo,—and yet there are people who fancythey can see all these wonders in the course of one afternoon, and who probably thinkthere ought to be donkeys ready saddled and bridled at the top of the Uffizi stairs, toenable visitors to ride through the galleries, and thus v
Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . e changes and fluctuations of Christian art, down to the second classic period, whichmay fairly be ranked as equal with the first—the Renaissance. Here the northernstranger, who has crossed the Alps for the first time, makes acquaintance with Raphael,Michael Angelo, Andrea del Sarto, Fra Bartolomeo,—and yet there are people who fancythey can see all these wonders in the course of one afternoon, and who probably thinkthere ought to be donkeys ready saddled and bridled at the top of the Uffizi stairs, toenable visitors to ride through the galleries, and thus view them even more expeditiouslythan they do at present! Besides these, the churches are full of works of art; and there is, moreover, theAccademia di Belle Arti in the immediate vicinity of the beautiful Piazza della SantissimaAnnunziata, with its arcades and elegant bronze fountains. In the Accademia a collectionof Tuscan painters is arranged in strict chronological order; and there is, too, an artisticmuseum in the 01 THE FLORENCE. 177 In the old Dominican convent of St. Mark, from whence Savonarola scattered hisfiery words, the corridors, the cells, and the refectory, are adorned with the frescos ofFra Giovanni Angelico da Fiesole. His contemporaries gave him, even during hislife-time, the title of Beato, or Blessed; and in truth, in looking upon these slenderfigures, and these sad, yet glorified faces, we feel something of that peace which passethunderstanding. We seem to see the form of the pious monk as one who has conversedmore with angels than with men, transfigured by the serene light of heaven, standing onthe threshold of that turbulent agitated time—full of innovations in religion as in art—the Renaissance. FLORENTINE NATURE. • The hyacinths were blooming fresh and fair,In Boboli, what time with flute-like noteThe nightingale poured music from her throat,And Springs sweet spirit filled the morning air. MIST still broods over the towers and palac
Size: 1287px × 1941px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorcavagnasangiulianidig, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870
