One painting which amazed me was Boticelli's Birth of Venus, an iconic depiction of the Roman goddess being created from sea foam. I had seen the painting in so many videos and books, but it was different that day. I was in awe at the sheer size of the painting, and as I stepped as close to the painting as I was legally allowed to, I could see the brushstrokes of paintings and small cracks in the canvas.The imperfections of the painting were all visible to me, and it was such an incredible experience.
Overall, Florence was such an incredible city to be in. The wonder and amazement I experienced at the Uffizi Gallery was just a taste of the wonderment I would encounter upon every street corner and sight Florence had to offer to me. It was truly a historical, romantic city which made me fall in love with it. One wouldn't expect it, but Florence is smaller than Peoria in terms of mi/ft^2. However, it holds approximately 300,000 residents, making it a bustling city. Located in the Tuscany countrysides and surrounded by vineyards, it's a charming place, like one would imagine in the movies.
Everywhere in the city is art. The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge which connects two sections of the city across a river, and despite being a tourist attraction, it's still a part of daily life for locals. Vendors set up little shops along the bridge and businessmen and women walk briskly past the hordes of tourists who are attempting to take Instagram-worthy photographs. The iconic Medici family of Florence has left their legacy throughout the entire city, and it can still be seen today. I recall walking past a large, white building with intricate engravings all over. Upon closer inspection, the words Medici were engraved on it. To me, it was interesting how locals literally walked past a huge piece of history every day, but didn't even bat an eye. I was in wonder as I stared at the building, imagining members of the family who had walked in through those doors hundreds of years ago.
In my mind, I remember Florence being a city of art. It was literally the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has influenced politics, art, and culture in Western Europe for hundreds of years. It was such an incredible opportunity to explore this beautiful city, and to this day, every time I see this photograph, I just look back with fondness at the memory of Florence, Italy.
