On not seeing 'David'

Lyn assuaged her latest bout of homesickness with a shopping blitz. In one hour she bought joggers, make-up, panadol, socks and a scarf. Part of this ill-matched ensemble is displayed below.

Then we decided to go to see the Accademia, home of Michelangelo's David. However, the queue was long that we decided that waiting to look at David with hundreds of others was a waste of time ... So we decided we were happy to leave Florence without seeing THE David. After all. it isn't as if we don't know what it looks like. If we had forgotten then we only had to look around us...

David, I presume, or part thereof...

Instead we walked towards the Bargello. On the way we visited the Spedale Degli Innocenti. This had a foodie market in the square out front. 

The Spedale is the oldest orphanage anywhere. The bars of the entrance were designed so that only newborns could pass through. Surrendered children were pushed through the bars onto a cushion. 

Lyn likes sculpture. The Bargello was peaceful and fascinating. There were more 'Davids' there too. And some Michelangelo sculptures. But NOT Michelangelo's David. 

David

David

David

Every bit as fascinating for me were the birds. In the Bargello was a display of marvellous bronze birds made by somebody famous (who I forget) to decorate some Medici palazzo. Throughout history people have been immensely self-conscious about portraying themselves, the poser and the artist are always trying to say something. (The Bargello had a massive bronze bust of Cosimo De Medici. It said, "Don't mess with me.") The results are often oddly unrealistic, from ancient Egypt to 'David'. Birds, on the other hand, don't have to say anything.

This is my latest picture of Italian police. They'd chosen an interesting place in the Piazza to observe the tourists, or to be observed by the tourists, and of course there is always a bird ...

Then we walked home and had Prosecco and lunch. After Lyn's power nap we walked to the beautiful Santa Croce. This had stained glass, cloisters, chapels, frescoes, the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo and a final bonus, when they were kicking us out we all paused to listen to the great bells ringing. The photo that concludes this entry suggests that Santa Croce may be suffering the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' disease but it is just that Lyn had control of the camera.

The figure front right is probably not David.

Tonight we had dinner at the restaurant across the street. Australian couple next to us. Australians behind us to the left. Nu Zlndz behind to the right.