Daily Updates
Week Eight: Nov. 15
15 November. Brian reporting: Joke from Sarah: Who was bigger? Mr. Bigger or Baby Bigger? Answer: Baby Bigger was just a little Bigger Today was our last day of lecture for our FSP… We started this morning by meeting at the hotel and walking to the Archeological Museum of Florence. We walked around and wrote journal entries on one of the two following exhibits: a bronze statue named the Orator, or the Francois Vase. Unfortunately, the “rainy” weather prevented us from seeing the outside Etruscan tombs located in the garden of the museum. We walked around the museum and talked about different interesting objects, then we left and walked down to a piazza where Professor Bradley gave us a lecture on the home for foundlings designed by Brunelleschi in the 15th century. We broke for lunch and we all went our separate ways. After lunch people dispersed all over Florence to do different things that interested them, including going back to the museum, exploring, shopping, sight-seeing, or just resting. We met back at 3pm on the Ponte Vecchio to walk to the Church of Santa Spirito. Professor Bradley gave us an introduction that involved the famous Medici family. We eventually got to go in the church after it opened at 4. It was amazing how different the beautiful inside was compared to the plain outside. We perused the church and heard some more comments from Professor Bradley. We were free for the rest of the day and many of us went to get some bargains at the outdoor market. Things bought include all kinds of leather products (belts, wallets, gloves, etc.), scarfs and shirts, and other paraphenalia. Tomorrow we go back to Rome on the fast train that only takes about two hours. We are sad that lectures are over. On the other hand, we’re all excited and anxious to get going on our ISP’s.
15 November. A reconstructed 'chariot' from the Egyptian collection
15 November. A faience bird from the Egyptian collection
15 November. The Etruscan bronze Chimera
15 November. The Etruscan bronze Chimera
15 November. Cases of tiny bronze figurines
15 November. The Orator
15 November. The Orator
15 November. From the Egyptian collection
15 November. A bronze bust of Homer
15 November. A bronze bust
15 November. A bronze figurine from the Etruscan collection
15 November. Who said the Etruscans didn't have a sense of humor?
15 November. A bronze horse from a lost statue group
15 November. Greek bronze of a young boy
15 November. A detail
15 November. A red figure vase with scenes from the Odyssey: here, Penelope at her loom
15 November. Odyssey vase: Odysseus' feet are washed
15 November. Detail of Odysseus
15 November. Detail of Penelope
15 November. A wonderful pyxis
15 November. Sarah experiences nirvana with the Francois Vase
15 November. Francois Vase detail: Aias and Achilles
15 November. Francois Vase detail: winged gorgon
15 November. Francois Vase detail: Theseus and his companions rejoice after escaping from the Minotaur
15 November. The amusing Chimera discussion
15 November. Observing the Chimera
15 November. Studying the Francois Vase
15 November. Studying the Francois Vase
15 November. Red figure pots by the Meidias painter
15 November. Detail with gold paint
15 November. Detail with gold paint
15 November. An ancient perfume bottle. Once again, a sense of humor at work here...
15 November. Brunelleschi's Foundling House
15 November. Professor Bradley introduces the students to Brunelleschi and Renaissance architecture
15 November. The rhythmic arcades of the Foundling House
15 November. Professor Bradley
15 November. Peter
15 November. Adam
15 November. Erin
15 November. Professor Bradley lectures on Brunelleschi's church of Santo Spirito
15 November. The interior of Santo Spirito
15 November. The students are released into the great wide shopping center of Florence
15 November. Some go for the gold (Parents be warned: you may want to cancel the credit card...)
15 November. Some opt for the open air markets...
15 November. ...not to mention the leather, leather, leather.