Sunday, July 6, 2008

FORGOT YOUR FERRAGAMMOS?-OR FOOTLOOSE IN ITALY

Italian travel post- #1       Copper tooling, drawing and paint.

One of the highlights of my entire trip to Italy, was a "private tour" of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. To say I was blown away, would be an understatement. 

If you have ever been to Rome and the Vatican, you are familiar with the incredible crowds that wait in line and then walk in that line all of the way through the Vatican, through to the Chapel. I have done this.

We were with a group on this trip, probably 30 or so, for business. We were taken after hours and were the only ones in the museum. Imagine the Sistine Chapel.......quiet.....with room to lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling....if you wanted.

Walking to the chapel, we passed the halls hung with gorgeous old tapestries that I barely noticed before.  I specifically noticed the footwear on the people. Is there anything that isn't beautifully designed in Italy?


These people must surely be in awe of the sandals.






Yes, it's true, you are not supposed to take photos. .....well everyone else was doing it....and I did not use a flash.

Take note of how much blue Michaelangelo used in the Judgement Day scene on the far wall and that he did not use much on the ceiling.  Blue was one of the most expensive colors. You had to grind Lapis in order to get it. He could not afford it for the ceiling which was completed before the far wall.

Yes, yet another shadow shot. Me and one of the many beautiful maps of Italy in the museum.
Stay tuned ...... more travel shots to come.

We had an amazing time.

" I am a poor man and of little worth, who is laboring in that art that God has given me, in order to extend my life as long as possible."   - Michaelangelo