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I am intrigued by how these two different perspectives of the same statue, from images taken within minutes of each other, seem to convey completely different emotion. The image on the left defiant and confident vs the image on the right concerned and perhaps unsure.
DJE
Perhaps the highlight of highlights for me on our Italy trip was getting to see Michelangelo's David, The Original. I had not expected to ever be so moved, so stirred, so captivated by any single work of art.
Our trip to the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze began with an introduction to our local Guide, Rosa. Her enthusiasm for Micelangelo, his art and of course Firenze's beloved David were simply contagious. She got our group organized and set up in the queue for entry to the museum while she answered questions and provided some of the history of Florentine art, Renaissance art, Michelangelo and David. Entry to the museum required us to pass through security and metal detectors before Rosa could lead us through the preliminary exhibits. I expected it would take some time before we would see David, but very quickly Rosa announced in her charming Italian accent; "and now we go see David".
Passing through a large door way, we entered at the end of what can be described as a grand hall. The unfinished works of Michelangelo including those known as the "prisoners" glowed in warm light as they line the hall leading to David standing under a single high dome in stark cool light emphasizing the white of the larger than life Carrara marble figure.
As we approached and circled the statue, I lost myself, studying the work, the scale, the details, amazed that a figure carved from solid stone could be so life-like that it might move at any moment. As with many of the museums and churches we visited on our trip, photography was not allowed inside, so I point you to online resources for a sense of the experience. David (Michelangelo), the Wiki article is a good starting point. The scrolling banner of the UFIZZI.org site has images of the original David that help me relive the experience. I ended up purchasing a few postcard size images of David from the museum gift shop so I would at least have some photographs from the visit.
My own photography was limited to replicas of David. Notably the replica that replaced the original in Piazza della Signoria and the bronze replica in Piazzale Michelangleo. I found it difficult to capture an image that I was satisfied with. Lighting, backgrounds, lack of accessibility all added to the challenge. Going through my images, I've selected and processed a series images made of details from the replica in Piazza della Signoria one evening.
DJE
On a recent trip to Italy in celebration of our 30th Anniversary, I made many, many images as we toured the sights of Rome, Florence, Venice and places between. Some have already been posted to my flickr photostream and there will be more to come over the next days and weeks as I work through cataloguing and processing the hundreds of files.
For this week's photo I've picked one from the actual day of our anniversary, when due to a fortuitous change in schedule, we were treated to dinner with our travel group at a Tuscan villa and working olive farm, Fattoria di Daimano. I had previously planned to find a nice quiet restaurant for an intimate dinner with Lynn but this just worked out so well after a full day of sightseeing that we are both referring to it as the best day from the trip.
Following a coach ride from our hotel we were drooped off and greeted at the entrance to the Fattoria, then led through a wonderful old building so full of history (do click on the link above and read about it's fascinating background). We passed through a wonderful courtyard, of which I took note, and into a dining room with widows opening out to views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside that were simply breathtaking. See for yourself.
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| A Tuscan View |
It was truly a million dollar view and in order to capture the true feeling, I needed to resort to HDR digital processing techniques that combine images to show the full dynamic range of the scene. Other photographers that read this blog will likely know the technique and the non-photographers likely won't care. Either way, everyone should trust that the view from the dining room was even more stunning than represented in this image.
Our hosts introduced us to the olive oil making process and how to prepare Bruschetta, Tuscan Style. Our meal of "simple Tuscan food" was absolutely delicious and enjoyed with wine made by the proprietors. Following the dinner, with filled wine glasses, we left the group behind and retired to a bench in the courtyard for some time to reflect on the past 30 years.
It was certainly an anniversary to remember.
DJE
