Today after class we had a conversation with Italian students from the local university. They were all in their mid twenties, spoke english very well, and were studying a variety of subjects. Although I could follow most of what they were saying I had trouble responding promptly. Nevertheless, they were very forgiving.
Next we went to the Medici Riccardi Palace. We actually walked right past it the first time, mistaking it for the science museum. The palace, designed by Michelozzo, was not half as extravagant as the Pitti palace but it has several spectacular spaces.
Walking past Orpheus we found lemon trees in the very small garden. Supposedly, the garden once stretched a full block to the north and Michelangelo studied there, but now it is quite small.
My favorite part of the palace was our next stop, La Capella di Gozzoli (Chapel of the Magi- Denozzo Gozzoli. This small chapel is overwhelming, covered in wall to wall painting which tells the story of the pilgrims journey to baby Jesus(through Medici land). Cosimo, and later Lorenzo, used this private chapel to pray, but also show their class.
In the next room there was a picture of Fra Fillippo Lippi's Madonna and Child, which I really enjoyed. The naked baby Jesus seems to be walking right out the painting.
We also saw the florentine council debating(it is still a functioning govermental building) and saw Giordano's room. This room was incredibly ostentacious and showed the Medici frolicking with the Gods.
