Guest blog by Dianne Hales, author of La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language (compare prices), about her visit to the special exhibit Virtu' d'Amore or Nuptial Art Exhibit at the Accademia Museum in Florence:
Who could resist a peak into a Renaissance bedroom? This dazzling exhibit of paintings, headboards, bedroom chests (where families stored their treasures as well as linens) and commemorative birth trays offers a fascinating glimpse into domestic life at the time of the Medici.
The elaborate panels that decorated the most intimate of rooms portrayed scenes from the Bible, mythology and folklore that underscored civic virtues such as a wife's obedience and fertility. The art is exquisite but what brings the exhibit to life are animated videos (think vintage Monty Python) with creative effects such as captions (in both Italian and English popping out of bed chests onto large flat-panel screens.
Thanks to the many touches of humor and humanity, this exhibit appeals to everyone from the art addict to the most casual visitor. As an added bonus, as you exit the show, turn right and behold Michelangelošs David in all his splendor. Juat as it did decades ago, the sight took my breath away.
Virtu' d'Amore or Nuptial Art Exhibit is at La Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence until November 1, 2010, Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:15 until 18:50.
Poster Photo by Dianne Hales, click on the photo to see it larger
This definitely sounds like a book that is well worth getting snuggled up with!