Madonna & Child -- Florence (Uffizi Gallery)

This past weekend I spent the weekend in Florence, Italy. The birth place of Leonardo Da Vinci and the world famous puppet, Pinocchio. I had the pleasure of touring the Uffizi Gallery on Saturday. It is famous worldwide for its collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the Modern period). The collections of paintings from the 14th-century and Renaissance period include some masterpieces created by all of the ancient ninja turtles. Incase you don't get my art history humor, that includes: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raffaello, and Caravaggio (who is an honorary ninja turtle of the Baroque period).

Throughout the gallery, I noticed that there were a plentiful amount of Madonna and Child paintings. I decided to take photos and watch the evolution of the portrayal of the holy pair. And if you are reading this, you are lucky enough to get to witness this transformation.

Virgin and Child enthroned, surrounded by angels (known as the Rucellai Madonna), 1285 ca. Tempera on wood, gold background

This painting is known to be the largest from the 13th century. This was the first Madonna painting that I saw in the museum, and the oldest. I was really drawn to the portrayal of a human hand. This style is definitely not realistic, but it is lovely.

Annunciation with St. Margaret and St. Ansanus, 1333, Tempera on wood, gold background

In this painting, Mary's said to be distressed, pulling back and wrapping herself in her cloak. In my opinion, Mary looks angry, some might even say pissed. Christ is not found in this painting. She still remains in a beautiful blue cloak painted from lapis (a type of paint that doesn't lose its color).

Saint Anne, Madonna and Child, five angels (called ‘Sant'Anna Metterza’), 1424-1425 ca. Tempera on Wood

This was the first Madonna painting that seemed to be turing a bit more realistic. Still, blue cloak, but here Jesus is looking a bit odd. He is a toddler but seems to have the body of a fit young man. Maybe it is because he is supposed to be seen as a holy figure, but that is just my interpretation.

Madonna and Child with Two Angels, 1460-1465 ca.

In this painting, Mary's clothes seem a bit more modern. Instead of a cloak, she is wearing a blue gown. The detain in her veil is exquisite. Mary is gazing at her son, turning towards him with her hands clasped in prayer. Her expression is gentle but melancholy, as if she can foresee the painful destiny that awaits her son. Instead of gold halos, the Madonna and Christ have almost invisible floating halos atop their heads.

Adoration of the Magi San Donato in Scopeto, 1482 ca. Drawing in charcoal, watercolor ink and oil on wood

This was Leonardo's first stage of a painting that would never be finished. You can see his sketch marks and half shaded figures. Even though he didn't get around to finished this piece, it is still such a masterpiece to me. It is not often that we see the process of an artist's work, we just see the final piece and that is why this painting is so special.

To wrap things up, The Uffizi Gallery is worth going to visit. I also saw ancient sculptures and one of my favorite paintings (The Birth of Venus). Florence was full of wonderful art and I hope to visit again someday.

Ciao for now!!