Images of Il Duomo or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence are iconic. The Cathedral is so large that it fills you with all sort of emotions just by trying to capture its splendor. But there are many treasures in Florence in smaller places that are not particularly packed with tourists...
On this rainy day I decided to spend much of my time indoors, so I made my way to find the different Cenacolo around Florence. A Cenacolo is a an image of the Last Supper, often a fresco painted in the refectories of convents and monasteries. Today I found four, unfortunately pictures are not allowed, so you will have to take my word for it or click on the hyperlink so you can go to the museum's official website or available images.
My first find was "il Cenacolo di Fuligno" by Pietro Vannucci or Pietro Perugino il Perugino, which dates back to the late 1400's. From what I read at the museum it was thought that this Cenacolo was painted by Raphael but it was later confirmed that it was Perugino's work.
From there I made my way to the old Benedict Convent of Santa Apollonia to see il Cenacolo di Santa Apollonia . This Cenacolo was painted by Andrea del Castagno in 1450 and I found it to be rather striking because of its depiction of Judas with a very dark beard and hair, which is a more prominent image than the one of Christ.
A short walk from Santa Apollonia to Piazza San Marco and the San Marco Museum, in this museum you find the works of Fra Angelico and Fra Bartolomeo, you also find lots of design students sitting around the museum drawing and taking it all in as their professors watch. There's a lot to see in this museum so plan at least an hour to explore it.
Walk into the Sala del Lavabo to find a 1536 fresco by Giovanni Antonio Sogliani of the "Cena miracolosa di San Domenico e Crocifissione tra Santa Caterina da Siena e Sant’Antonino" this is not your typical Jesus and the Apostles Last Supper, but it is an incredible fresco!
As you wonder around the museum into what its now the book store you find a Domenico Ghirlandaio Cenacolo this fresco dates back to 1480, and it also has other symbols such as peacocks, orange trees and a cat sitting close to Judas. My cat lover friends will hate when I tell them that I was told the cat represents evil.
The rain really picked up and I know there are still a few to be found around the city. I was really lucky that all of these were within walking distance from home. Weather permitting tomorrow will be another day to explore...
My first find was "il Cenacolo di Fuligno" by Pietro Vannucci or Pietro Perugino il Perugino, which dates back to the late 1400's. From what I read at the museum it was thought that this Cenacolo was painted by Raphael but it was later confirmed that it was Perugino's work.
From there I made my way to the old Benedict Convent of Santa Apollonia to see il Cenacolo di Santa Apollonia . This Cenacolo was painted by Andrea del Castagno in 1450 and I found it to be rather striking because of its depiction of Judas with a very dark beard and hair, which is a more prominent image than the one of Christ.
A short walk from Santa Apollonia to Piazza San Marco and the San Marco Museum, in this museum you find the works of Fra Angelico and Fra Bartolomeo, you also find lots of design students sitting around the museum drawing and taking it all in as their professors watch. There's a lot to see in this museum so plan at least an hour to explore it.
Walk into the Sala del Lavabo to find a 1536 fresco by Giovanni Antonio Sogliani of the "Cena miracolosa di San Domenico e Crocifissione tra Santa Caterina da Siena e Sant’Antonino" this is not your typical Jesus and the Apostles Last Supper, but it is an incredible fresco!
As you wonder around the museum into what its now the book store you find a Domenico Ghirlandaio Cenacolo this fresco dates back to 1480, and it also has other symbols such as peacocks, orange trees and a cat sitting close to Judas. My cat lover friends will hate when I tell them that I was told the cat represents evil.
The rain really picked up and I know there are still a few to be found around the city. I was really lucky that all of these were within walking distance from home. Weather permitting tomorrow will be another day to explore...
RSS Feed
