We toured the Uffizi Gallery today in Florence and the nearby Bargello Gallery. The heavily fortified Bargello was built in 1255 and served as a police headquarters. Its heavily protected outer walls with a welcoming center court yard now displays some amazing sculptures of the Renaissance period. Most visitors to the Uffizi do not include a visit to the Bargello which is unfortunate. The Uffizi's treasures are on the top floor which houses an extensive collection of early Italian Renaissance art. I posted earlier about the pivotal works of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Giotto... The photo here is looking out of the upper hall lobby of the Uffizi toward the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
The impression I receive after touring 5-6 galleries is that early Renaissance art marked a rediscovery in the beauty of the natural world. There was more to the world than just a preoccupation with the Bible stories. Nature, the general activities of people, an interest in classical learning, math, and science lead to a softer, more vibrant side to the human experience. This perspective can be seen in the faces and activities of the people portrayed in the art.
(Sorry for the paragraphing problems. I am experiencing some formatting problems out here.)
