On Tuesday, students visited two museums that house some of the most famous pieces of Renaissance sculpture in the world. They began the day in the Bargello, where they saw pieces by Verrocchio, Cellini, and Giambologna. Students were excited to see gilded bronze panels created in a competition between the artists Ghiberti and Brunelleschi to determine who would be commissioned to create the bronze doors of Florence’s famous Baptistry. The highlights of the Bargello were the sculptures by Donatello. Students saw his statue of St. George that was originally placed in a niche on the outside of the Orsanmichele. The most exciting Donatello piece was the bronze David that was created for Florence’s infamous Medici family.
Next, students visited the Accademia to see sculptural works by Michelangelo. Everyone was anxious to see Michelangelo’s famous marble David, but had to wait as the guide described several of the artist’s unfinished marble pieces first. Finally, when the guide was finished, students were able to see the David up close! Everyone was amazed to see the near-monumental size of the sculpture, as it was originally intended to stand atop Florence’s Duomo.
Students ended their day by viewing the inside of Florence’s Baptistry, which was originally planned for the previous week. They admired the Romanesque architecture and the beautiful ceiling mosaics. It was great to finally see the inside of the Baptistry, after passing it nearly every day.