July 3 This day had an abrupt start with a couple of alarm clock malfunctions but was an enjoyable day nonetheless. Once we hit the ground running (and I mean RUNNING for the metro cause we were late), we got to see some unbelievable frescos, sculptures and architecture. The Vatican was just overflowing with influences of Renaissance art and religion. Seeing St. Peter's Basilica in the morning as the sun was beaming through was an incredible experience. The high ceilings and ornate moldings portray just how grand of a role both art and faith has played in society for all of these years.
As I went through the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, all I could look at were those wonderfully, amazing CEILINGS. I mean, hello. I think if these painters, like Michelangelo, were to see my ceilings at home they would be appalled. And looking at my ceilings at home, I can see how similar to a blank canvas they can be. It is just mindblowing to me the length that these ceiling paintings can go. There was a hallway in the Vatican Museum where I saw a woman recording her entire walk under the ceiling because it just went on FOREVER. Imagining that someone could paint on a ceiling for that long astounds me.
As I went through the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, all I could look at were those wonderfully, amazing CEILINGS. I mean, hello. I think if these painters, like Michelangelo, were to see my ceilings at home they would be appalled. And looking at my ceilings at home, I can see how similar to a blank canvas they can be. It is just mindblowing to me the length that these ceiling paintings can go. There was a hallway in the Vatican Museum where I saw a woman recording her entire walk under the ceiling because it just went on FOREVER. Imagining that someone could paint on a ceiling for that long astounds me.
However, one painting that really caught my attention was a "painting" hung in the Galleria Borghese. It was actually super tiny hand selected pieces of marble that were then peiced together based on value and color to create what appeared to be a "painting" of the Pope. It was so crazy and if someone hadn't told me what it was, I would have walked right passed it not knowing that it was tiled.
Being able to have more time to reflect today really made it a better experience for me. I enjoyed being able to sort of escape from the sensory overload of the Vatican, to being able to enjoy the Borghese Park and to sketch in the Galleria Borghese -- it was all very therapeutic. And for some reason sketching has always been a way for me to really get "in the zone" and to focus more on what my eyes are really seeing. Needless to say, I enjoyed the Borghese Park just as much as I'd hoped I would.
Being able to have more time to reflect today really made it a better experience for me. I enjoyed being able to sort of escape from the sensory overload of the Vatican, to being able to enjoy the Borghese Park and to sketch in the Galleria Borghese -- it was all very therapeutic. And for some reason sketching has always been a way for me to really get "in the zone" and to focus more on what my eyes are really seeing. Needless to say, I enjoyed the Borghese Park just as much as I'd hoped I would.
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