Date with David

I was in Florence for David, the one carved by Michelangelo.

He was everywhere but I was going to see him in the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Accademia Gallery.

Yes! I was giddy with excitement.

He wasn’t hard to miss. Already on a pedestal, he looked tall and glorious. One could circle around him, see him up close; he was beautiful.

Marblelous Perfection Of David

Arms of Steel!

Could he be a real man who turned into stone under Medusa’s gaze? Those abs and veins running on his hands looked lifelike.

I suppose, one could stand and stare at David forever; he was the star and we were the paparazzi.

The only hitch was clicking a solo picture with him. Photo bombers everywhere.

Anyway, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

Begin exploring the Accademia.

5 Things to look out for other than David in the Accademia Gallery :

· The Prisoners by Michelangelo: – These are a series of sculptures placed along the path to David.

They look unfinished, easily dismissed, till you take another look. I looked through my camera and saw this. Watch how his muscles strain to escape his stony bonds.

Mesmerizing!

I want to break free…

· Pieta by Michelangelo: – I had seen Pieta in St Peter’s Basilica. So imagine my astonishment when I saw another by the same artist.

It said Pieta with Michelangelo’s name at the bottom but this one was like a whole new piece.

Ah! Travel truly expands mind.

· Rape of the Sabines:- Please don’t judge this stunning piece by its name.

Placed in the centre of one of the halls, it had three figures entwined that pull your eyes upwards. Walk around it and see it from every angle; the view changes each time.

Run!

No walls, no bolts , no locks.

Then I learnt this beautiful piece under the spotlight was a plaster copy.

What of the original?

The original was in the entry free, open-air museum in Piazza della Signoria, Florence. It had scores of beautiful statues under a roof and pigeons who had the run of the place.

Unbelievable!

· The Plaster busts hall: – There were plenty of plaster sculptures. I was most fascinated by a row of plaster busts on a shelf.

It was Martin Sheen as Aziraphale in Good Omens.

Check out the picture below! The resemblance is uncanny.

Angel from Good Omens!

· Museum of Musical Instruments: – A museum within a museum dealing with musical instruments.

I had heard of Stradivari violin, now I could see it too.

There were a row of computers with headphones by their side in a corner. It was like playing an interactive game, except the theme was Western Classical music. You click on instruments, hear symphonies, read up its history and know the musicians.

By the way, play way method always works!

Play that funky music!

The Accademia Gallery also had enough panels and paintings by masters known and unknown.

One site told me I had to keep my eyes open for Tree of Life. I did and here I thought it was a only a movie!

After a while, the art begins to blur, only David stands out.

Some Tips to make this a memorable experience :

· Pre-book your tickets online at the Accademia Gallery website. You get the date and time slot and can collect the tickets from a counter there. Standing in a queue never felt shorter!

· Best way to arrive at the museum tucked in one of the lanes is walking. Florence is a walker’s paradise.

· Keep an eye on the time; strolling in this gorgeous city can makes you lose it. I speak from experience.

· Read up on the stuff you expect to see in this museum other than David. It makes you feel a little less lost and the experience is better.

Michelangelo said it best ,

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”

Travel is an experience and so is museum walking.

My last memory was stepping out into the street, wonderstruck.

What an unforgettable date!

Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge: Anything man-made

Jo’s Monday Walk