Money and Beauty. Bankers, Botticelli and the Bonfires of the Vanities - Dilettante Upcoming Tours - Art History Abroad - Art History Abroad

Florence

Tour Date: 24th - 27th November 2011

I am so excited about this exhibition.  The Palazzo Strozzi is hosting a remarkable show exploring the links between high finance, economy and art in Renaissance Florence.  Not only does the exhibition boast wonderful works by Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Pollaiolo and Della Robbia but it also delves deep into the banking world and international commerce.  Over a long weekend in Florence we will study the religious and political upheavals of the Renaissance, discussing themes such as patronage, international trade, usury, sumptuary laws and the Bonfire of the Vanities.  Although many of you may be familiar with some of the galleries and churches chosen, we shall be viewing these in a different light.  We will examine the birth of the modern banking system, the economic boom it triggered and the beautiful works it financed.  On that note we have timed the trip so that those who would like to do a spot of Italian Christmas shopping may do so!

* STOP PRESS *

We have just suceeded in booking a private viewing of the wonderful restoration work of the frescoes in the Capella Maggiore at Santa Croce.  We will be taken up the scaffolding to see the paintings close up.  A rare treat indeed.

 

Marinus Van Reymerswaele - The Money Changer and his Wife

Itinerary

Thursday 24^th November

Morning flight direct to Florence with Meridiana from Gatwick. 

Frescoes and Finance: An Introduction to life during the Florentine Renaissance

In the afternoon we will visit the Brancacci chapel frescoed by Masolino, Filippino Lippi and Masaccio for Felice Brancacci, a rich silk merchant married to Lena Strozzi.  While studying these beautiful frescoes we will explore the politics governing the choice of both subject matter and artist. We will then visit Santa Trinità which houses one of the most remarkable fresco cycles in Florence by Ghirlandaio.  The work was commissioned by Francesco Sassetti, director of the Medici bank.  Once again the paintings give us a great insight into the financial and political allegiances of the day.  Supper will be at one of our favourite trattorias near to the hotel.

Friday 25^th November

The Medici: Banking, Beauty and the Bonfire of the Vanities

We will meet the powerful Medici dynasty at their family palace where there is an exquisitely beautiful chapel frescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli.  The choice of subject and array of family portraits incorporated into the scene speaks volumes.  We will then visit the Medici tombs sculpted by Michelangelo.  After a speedy espresso, we will continue on to the Monastery of San Marco were each cell has been frescoed by Fra Angelico.  Here we can see Cosimo de Medici's private cell and that of Savonarola; a perfect place to discuss the Bonfire of the Vanities.

Rucellai: "Serve the honour of God as well as the honour of the city and the commemoration of myself"

After a delicious local lunch we will look into the life of Giovanni Rucellai, who stated that "earning and spending are among the greatest pleasures that men enjoy in this life....I have done nothing for the last fifty years but earn and spend".  We will visit the Palazzo Rucellai by Alberti, Rucellia's tomb and Santa Maria Novella with frescoes by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio and Filippino Lippi. 

A well-earned supper at a lively trattoria which serves the best Bistecca Fiorentina in the city.

 

  Ludvig von Langenmantel - Savonarola Preaching against Luxury

Saturday 26^th November

Money and Beauty. Bankers, Botticelli and the Bonfire of the Vanities

We will spend the morning at the exhibition in the Palazzo Strozzi with break for mid-morning coffee.

Florentine Life

After a glorious lunch at The Quattro Leoni we suggest a free afternoon for rest, wandering and shopping. There will also be a choice of two optional artistic programmes with a visit to the wonderful picture collection at the Pitti Palace or for those who want a greater insight into everyday Renaissance life a visit to the  Palazzo Davanzati.

Sunday 27^th November

The Uffizi: Power and Patronage

We will continue our theme with a small selection of paintings in the Uffizi, to include Gentile da Fabriano, Piero della Francesca, Filippo Lippi, Hugo van der Goes and Botticelli. 

After a good last lunch we will take our private transport to the airport for the 18.05 flight home.

FURTHER DETAILS

TO REGISTER

Botticelli - Detail of the Winds from the Birth of Venus