Tuesday, July 3, 2012

il TRE di luglio

Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, via Cavour, 3


This little jewel is home to the famous Procession of the Magi fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli. Whatever the entrance fee, it is worth it to see it up close. You may have seen parts of this fresco in books or on calendars or on hanging banners, but it is completely different in person. First of all, standing in the tiny room, you realize -- again...as if it doesn't get hammered into you enough when you are in Florence -- just how powerful and wealthy the Medici were to be able to commission such a piece (and how powerful and wealthy and arrogant they were to have family members inserted into the Biblical scene). The impact of being surrounded by such vivid colors can't possibly be replicated in a book.

See? The banner doesn't do it justice. (The shadows don't help, either.)


Pull up your horse and stay awhile.


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