Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable. ~ George Bernard ShawMy wife and I are pictured atop the Duomo. (See earlier post for a history.) Fortunately we got there before throngs of others did. We threaded our way, 463 steps in all, to the top. 80 million pounds are suspended securely in the interlocking dome thanks to Brunelleschi's excellent engineering. Half way up we proceeded to a circular ledge within the cathedral where we saw a mass in progress and heard a Gregorian chant by the choir echo in perfect harmony within the cathedral.
Later we toured several museums rich with history and sculpture. (Our tour of the Uffizi is tomorrow.) The relief of a classical grammar lesson sculpted in marble in 1350 caught my interest. Later our walk took us by a sculptor's shop where he was busy working his artistry with beautiful marble.
We were struck by the vibrancy of these paintings and sculptures, giving breath and emotion to the common struggles and joys of every day life.
