Up close and underneath a classic replica
Photo Theme: CLASSIC
and to read the caption.
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on your screen if you have difficulty reading the caption.]
This week’s theme is CLASSIC.
I hope you’ll bear with me as I’ve just returned from a holiday in France and Italy and suspect my upcoming PhotoHunt pictures will somehow fit that week’s theme!
I got right underneath the copy of the statue of David to get a different photo angle than the usual photos you see — like the ones below.
Here’s a few other photos of me standing alongside the statue on the Piazza della Signoria. There were so many tourists crowding around, I think I may look a bit grumpy in the pictures as I kept shooing them away so my friend could get the shot.
to view a larger version and to read the captions.
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on your screen if you have difficulty reading the caption.]
It took us two days to purchase tickets (about $12 Cdn.) to get into the gallery where David has stood since 1873. But I must say, it was well worth the wait. The statue is situated so that you have to go through a few galleries of other sculpture (all magnificent to say the least) and then you turn a corner and there he stands, huge and lit precisely so the marble glows brilliantly. It takes your breath away.
FYI here’s the background to this classic bit of sculpture: Michelangelo’s David holds the title of the most recognizable statue in the history of art. It has become regarded as a symbol both of strength and youthful human beauty.
Originally the sculpture was situated outside the fortress-palace called Palazzo Vecchio on the plaza called Piazza della Signoria in Florence.
When it was unveiled in 1504, the Florentines had added a gilded wreath to his head and a gilt-bronze belt to cover his nudity. At that time the supporting tree stump was also gilded.
To protect it from damage, the sculpture was moved in 1873 to the Accademia Gallery in Florence.
Last 5 posts in JOURNAL
- Today I began a new journey - November 19th, 2008
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- Siblings together over five decades - November 8th, 2008
- 102 Canadian women will die this week - October 3rd, 2008
- Room with a view - September 27th, 2008
November 4th, 2007 at 3:37:15 AM
Don’t you just love Florence? There is another statue of David by Bernini and I SWEAR that guy looks exactly like my boyfriend!
November 4th, 2007 at 5:41:29 AM
authentic classic indeed! oh, he deserves a place of his own. great emphasis on some photos by the way.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:52:14 AM
Oh wow…..now coming from a woman’s point of view, your angle of the dangle is rather awesome.
Just kidding! I stutter to even think I actually TYPED that.
I enjoyed the historical additions you added to your classic….I learned something. Which in my opinion is great….makes the photo hunt that much more wonderful. And really, it was just all in fun, my comment above, I DO LIKE CULTURE, and I DO APPRECIATE you sharing these photos and facts.
Sounds like you had a super time on your trip.
Happy Sunday.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:47:37 PM
Larry, nice choice for The Hunt for he is indeed classic. I like your creative angles and I appreciate the history.
Thanks for dropping by.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:57:10 PM
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, am I ever glad that you laughed!!
*snort*
November 4th, 2007 at 6:13:07 PM
You are right…it is not too often that I see a pic of David from that perspective. Thanks for sharing your great pics from your vacation. When I traveled to Europe I did not make it to Italy, but you can be sure when I go again, I will see David for myself!
November 5th, 2007 at 6:41:51 PM
Why didn’t you take pictures of the original?
November 5th, 2007 at 10:41:15 PM
Good question: the museum guards were pretty lenient as long as you didn’t use a flash. We did 3 or 4 museums that day and I don’t usually take my camera along — the postcards in the shops are better anyway.
The real deal is awesome in person but the replica in the plaza was lots more fun because you could get up close to it.