Dr. Louise Marshall is Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Art History at the University of Sydney. She is an internationally renowned expert on Italian Renaissance art and has published extensively on the subject. In this weeks program Dr Marshall talks about a guided tour she will conducting in that most Renaissance of Italian cities, Florence. The tour is from 17 – 23rd of April as part of 2023 Renaissance Tours program.
Louise waxes lyrical with infectious passion about the city that is as much an art and culture lover’s smorgasbord outside, as its is inside: its many churches, cathedrals and galleries overflowing with art, and piazzas adorned by sculpted masterpieces – statues from some of the most famous names in the art canon. She starts the discussion with historical background – a period of rebirth, a period of re visiting the romance, beauty and perfection of Classical Roman art; a period where humanist theory promoted liberating ideals, ideals that spoke of the power of the individual, that he or she could be master of their own destiny. It was a period of enlightenment, the early 14th Century when scholars started exploring the written documents of Ancient Rome, this reimagining and rebirth of ancient culture, ideas and art on a huge scale was ushered in. And of course this was all underpinned by the burgeoning financial clout of the Florentines as a powerhouse of patronage.
Louise gives us some amazing insights into one of the most famous statues of all time, Michelangelo’s David. Instead of portraying the victorious David after the defeat of Goliath as was the custom at the time, Michelangelo chose instead to sculpt the future King of the Jews as he prepared himself for the imminent battle. This single decision shows us what a genius and master artist Michelangelo was. And also, why are David’s feet and hands so big in proportion to the rest of his body? What is the significance of mind and body in these classically sculptured works? Louise also tells us about the committee (that surprisingly did not include Michelangelo) that was formed to move the statue indoors after signs of discolouring and damage due to the elements were beginning to be noticed in its original home outside the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria.
Of course the tour includes many of the famous Florentine galleries such as the Uffizzi where masterworks such as Botiocelli’s Venus resides, and the Pitti Palace and the Academia, but the tour also includes many churches and cathedrals that are full of art: altar decorations, friezes, sculptures and sarcophagi. She stresses the importance of seeing these works in situ where they were created to be viewed and admired.
The tour also has some hidden gems included, like a special view of the Brancacci Chapel, which is currently under renovation. Louise has secured rare access to view the chapel from the scaffolding, allowing an up close inspection of the artists’ brushstrokes on the ceiling. Another treat is a gelato tasting afternoon after a hot day walking around this historic city.
There are still a few places left on the tour, and if you’re interested in joining them in Florence on the 17th April you can contact Renaissance Tours but you’ll need to move quickly.
Arts Wednesday 5 April 2023
10.30-12.00
89.7fm
DAB+