Firenze

Florence is filled with museums and art thanks to the Medici and it can all be overwhelming but it was also lovely and fantastic. I thought it was interesting though that my favorite views were from the balconies looking out onto the countryside, all the art in the world cannot compare with the beauty that God has created, he is the ultimate and absolute artist. The Tuscan countryside is not lacking in beauty even a little which makes me think this was a perfect place for the rebirth of art, they had so much natural art to inspire them! Watching the changes from medieval art to baroque and how the return of truth affected the ability of man to create beauty. The reformation brought not only an interest in developing a closer relationship with God but a new found interest in science and humanity that is incredible. The contrast between the darkness of the apostasy and the light of the rebirth is so obvious everywhere that I wonder that more people don't notice and query as to the cause. It's truth! My favorite piece in the uffizi was the birth of Venus by Botticelli because it so so clean and beautiful. The figures are soft and lovely and Venus is feminine which is a good contrast from many of the women in medieval art. I also loved the caravaggio's, not because the topics were particularly inspiring or lovely but because they were so real. Art was a faint imitation of life for so long that when they began to make it more realistic and copy the great designer again it is so wonderfully beautiful. Wow, the church is true! And I love it! Also, I love Italy and think everyone should visit right now! Farewell, I love you all.