Florence – Medici Power and Money - Upcoming Tours for Generation X - Art History Abroad - Art History Abroad

 21st - 24th June 2012

Florence can be an overpowering city when tackled alone; so full to the brim of wonderful things it is difficult to know which way to turn.  Let AHA unlock her secrets and lead you to the more interesting and less crowded places.  By following a theme with expert guidance it is possible to appreciate the city's complex history and unique achievements.

June is a great time for visiting Florence; ahead of the crowds, lovely weather and perfect for making use of our loggia at the hotel.

The course will concentrate on the powerful Medici family whose fascinating and dramatic story shaped the image of the city as it is today.  We will discuss how the family dominated the political, social and religious events throughout the Florentine Renaissance as they fought to balance money and religion.  We have the Medici to thank for the birth of modern banking as well as the commissioning of great artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Botticelli.  We also have a private visit up the scaffolding at Santa Croce to view the restoration work.

Our tutors are well versed in the nightlife Florence has to offer; from concerts and theatre to bars and clubs we are there to advise whatever the mood.

Detail of the Winds by Botticelli

Itinerary

Thursday 21st June

Morning flight to Bologna followed by private transport to the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni.  We will start the trip with a real treat - a private viewing of the restoration of the frescoes in the Capella Maggiore at Santa Croce.  A small group of us will be allowed to climb the scaffolding to view the frescoes close up.  We will stand in the same spot as Agnolo Gaddi and be able to see his intricate painting of beautiful fish in the stream or faces of his friends entwined in the border decoration.  Such detail is not visible from the ground and was added by the artist for his own personal enjoyment.  This intimate view of brush strokes, corrections, texture and beauty makes me just tingle with excitement and anticipation.   The experience has been described as climbing a stairway to Heaven.  How can you resist?     

After an aperitivo on our hotel loggia we will have dinner in one of our favourite local trattorias.

Friday 22nd June

The perfect place to meet the Medici is at their palace where their portraits are incorporated into a frescoed chapel, crammed full with social and historical references yet remarkably beautiful.  Nearby is the church and monastery of San Marco.  The Medici glitz gives way to the serene and spiritual beauty of the monks' cells, all frescoed by Fra Angelico and his followers.  Here we will also discuss a turbulent episode in Florentine history with Savonarola and the Bonfire of the Vanities.  Alfresco lunch in a great market café nearby.

We will spend the afternoon in the Uffizi looking at a selection of paintings relevant to our theme, these will include Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.  We will explore humanism, philosophy, Plato and poetry.  A well-earned supper at a lively trattoria which serves the best Bistecca Fiorentina in the city.

Saturday 23rd June

We will indulge ourselves in a morning of Michelangelo at the Medici parish church of San Lorenzo.  Here Michelangelo designed a fascinatingly confusing library and created the wonderful Medici tomb sculptures of Dawn, Dusk, Night and Day. 

After a reviving lunch we will set off on a church crawl to include Santa Trinità with frescoes by Ghirlandaio, again incorporating Medici portraits.  For supper we may splash out a bit and eat at one of the locals' favourites.

Sunday 24th June

You can opt for a leisurely morning strolling the streets or join us for a visit to the Bargello; an excellent museum of sculpture which houses Donatello's David and Michelangelo's Bacchus.  After a last delicious lunch we will head back to the airport for our flight home.

Further Details

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Detail of Day by Michelangelo