Day five: Today was a super long day. We had a tour guide take us to 7 churches and the Pantheon. I saw and learned so much and am pretty beat. Highlights and Observations: Most art history teachers are also studio art teachers so their appreciation for art is not purely intellectual. What a relief! This group is easy to be around in a non-assuming way. Most people are very go with the flow and dont have an excessive need for attention. The magnificence of Rome humbles you and there is no way to know everything. If one were too controlling they would be miserable and make everyone else miserable because Romans are very laid back - everyone is late. Roman time is a thing. Meals take hours and have three courses; waiters will not bring the bill until you ask. Though the thought disgusted me, ice cream with cheese mixed in it is actually quite delicious. Romans eat a lot of carbs and are thin. Loved learning the stories and seeing the works of Caravaggio, Bernillini and Borromini today. Bernillini was outgoing and got along with the Popes compared to his suicidal contemporaries like Borromini but he disfigured his wifes lovers face. I prefer the Romanesque type architecture of Borromini over Baroque but I love Berninis marble sculptures. So much passion in his Theresa of Avila. I included the picture of the sculpture. My grandpa had marble shipped from Italy for the steps of his Welwood Murray library and I related to his inspiration today as I saw marble from all over the world in these churches. I want a house with marble in it one day.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:38:42 +0000