Today with my renaissance art class we visited the Basilica di Santa Croce. The Santa Croce is the principle Franciscan Church of Florence. It is located in the Piazza Santa Croce. It is famous for its Florentine artwork. Prior to going to visit the basilica we had a lecture in class in order to understand what we would be seeing and learning from. A majority of the paintings in the Santa Croce are fresco painting done by Giotto. Fresco painting is a technique used for murals. It is executed upon freshly laid lime plaster. Water is used to create the pigment and to help blend it with the plaster. Artists had to use extreme caution when applying plaster due to how fast it dries. They would have to apply the plaster in small sections or the italian term giornatas. Some of the older paintings you could notice the different giornatas. The ceiling of the basilica is a wooden trust ceiling. The Santa Croce is filled with little family chapels along the sides, and floor slabs dedicated to families. The belltower of the Santa Croce is not a functioning belltower. This reminded me of the belltower back on hawkhill that is also not a functioning belltower. The Santa Croce is the burial ground for some of the most famous Italian artists including Michaelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. It is sometimes referred to as the Pantheon of Florence.
The Tomb of Michaelangelo
After class was over I spent my own time exploring and observing the artwork displayed inside the basilica. It truly is amazing how much history and how long the Santa Croce has been a significant matter for the Florentine community. Before leaving the church I lit a candle and said a prayer for me, my family, and my friends. Now the weekend begins! This weekend I am heading to the French Riviera!
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