Today, in 1584, Michelangelo‘s Statue of David was unveiled in Florence.
Florence 2004, the Budd family travelled to Italy. The timing was serendipitous. The Statue of David restoration had just been completed and we were able to gain access to the gallery. I was not expecting the emotional response I had when I saw David standing under soft lighting. Photography was not allowed but I found another David looking over his city.
ChasingART 
Great post, thanks for the information.
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Thank you, Geri! I am delighted that you stopped by for a visit!!!
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How I love time-travelling with the Budd family! A magnificent journey, thank you xxx
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Having you as a traveling companion is the best, Liz. I am learning all about time and virtual travel these days. Which reminds me that books are essential travel guides. I am loving 44 Scotland Street. I feel I’m there with you in Edinburgh. Sending many hugs across the ocean.
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You are here alongside me! It must be true because I have just typed a reply to your latest Lady Budd post, adding the exact same words at the end as you have in your comment here. Goosebumps!!!
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Wonderful!
How come people are not allowed to photograph the statue?
HUGS
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I have no idea, but I just found out that as of June 1st, 2014, people can now take non-flash photos inside the The Accademia Gallery in Florence. I’m hoping to one day return to Firenze.
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How enviable, to be able to talk Italian, it’s such a beautiful sounding language – I had a friend who learned it just so she could read Dante in his words…
Wonderful photography as ever from you.. as for David – one of my treasured possessions is a bust taken from the statue…I’ ve used it as an illustration in the odd blog in the past…
Were you as surprised or amazed as I was at the size of the sculpture?
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I would have liked to stay in the Italian Language school for another 5 – 6 months – which was the average time it took to be somewhat fluid in the language. But alas, work called me home. https://www.scuoladantealighieri.org/ing/index.htm. The school was in the region of Marche on the eastern side of Italy. I took a digital camera with me and was so excited that it was “8 pixels” The students came from all over the world. My 13-year-old son was homeschooled at the time, so this was a marvelous way for him to study with international students.
As for David – I still remember the feeling of immense gratitude for being in the same room. Yes, I was as surprised as you by David’s I posting size. Positioned on a pedestal, he towered over us all. It seemed as if the spirit of Michelangelo was with us.
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Thank you! I enjoyed the video, even though not understanding a word. The restoration was absolutely necessary. It just proves that everything gets old–even important and famous statues like this one! ! !
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I love the sound and nuances of the Italian language. You will remember this is the time I organized a 4 week course at a Italian language school for all of us. Which meant we were in class at least 5 hours a day with homework. It was a remarkable journey of discovery, but after this vacation (yes, it was supposed to be a vacation) I was taken off the travel plan committee.
Amo la lingua italiana e amo l’Italia. La storia è incredibile ma è stata la calorosa accoglienza di tutti quelli che abbiamo incontrato che sarà sempre ricordata.
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Your family couldn’t take a chance at learning French, Portuguese, or some other Language with hours of study.
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Well, actually Thomas enrolled us in a Gaelic language course. What an adventure. It was all completed on line and we each took turns pronouncing the words. I found it difficult to pronounce the words, but pressed onward. The interesting part is that there is different forms of Gaelic – Scottish, Welsh, Irish. Thankfully, these languages are being revived and are being taught in school. There is one Gaelic language that I just learned about: The language of the Manx people, a first language on the Isle of Man until the death of the last native speaker, Ned Maddrell. I understand that this language is also seeing a comeback. Fascinating history. Whatever the language, it takes hours of dedicated study. As you know from studying Portuguese, the time and effort put into studying has rich rewards.
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So Thomas also was interested in studying a language. Bravo for the Budd family. I am very proud of all three of you!
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Thank you!🤗🤗🤗
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I am imagining that amazing day in 1584! How wonderful that you have seen ‘David’.
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We almost missed him because the restoration had taken several months. I think they wanted to complete it all by 2004 to match the 4 in 1584. When I went to Italy, I was more interested in seeing architecture and paintings, but when I saw the David, I confess that I started to cry. It was an involuntary response that I was not expecting.
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A beautiful statue deserves a beautiful response. Maybe after kicking you off the travel planning committee, your fellow travelers understood your passion 🙂
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Thank is very kind of you to say, Mary Jo, but I confess that, for the next family vacation, I was checking out another course for the whole family. YIKES!!! But when I said it would be another 6 hours in a classroom for about 4 weeks, my thirteen year old decided that he would like to “help” me plan the trips. It was done very gently and graciously – it wasn’t until a few years later that I knew that I had been sidelined. And now, I have given him full control and it has been a wonderful transition. There is time when a new generation needs to take over….and carry the baggage. LOL Sending hugs back your way.
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