Art study trip to Florence - December 2007

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A sleepy but excited group arrived in Liverpool airport at 5.45am but just a few hours later we were all in the sunshine in Pisa, taking in the sights of the cathedral there and, of course, the leaning tower. It was here that our love affair with Italian ice cream began, as we eagerly sampled as much as our stomachs would allow.

After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we headed out for the evening for our first experience of Florence, and a brief glimpse of some of the sights we would soon be visiting. The view of the Duomo as we turned the street corner is one that is sure to stay with many of us for years to come, but even this would not prepare us for the spectacular view we had the next day from the top of the dome. The 463 steep, cramped and claustrophobic steps that took us almost 300 ft high, was well worth the effort, as we emerged on the cupola to a picture perfect view of the city.

Another highlight for many was Michelangelo's David. Although we had seen a copy in the Piazza della Signoria, the sight of the colossal nude, in pride of place in the Accademia, was truly awesome. Many sketched away furiously, trying to capture what was before them, whilst others simply sat in awe. For some, the other David, the bronze by Donatello, was something far more special. What he lacked in size was compensated for the amazing attention to detail and symbolism.

The wait at the ticket office outside the Uffizi provided some entertainment as Mrs Hollingworth became the subject of some attention from the living statue of Cupid. That was soon forgotten as we entered the Uffizi in which there are so many fantastic things next to one another, and so much to take in all at once. The gallery provided a perfect opportunity for more sketching; fantastic sculptures, elaborate rooms and beautiful paintings. The Birth of Venus and Primavera both by Botticelli were loved by all.

The markets proved to be extremely interesting, as our senses were overwhelmed with the sights, sounds and smells of fresh meat, leather and sweet fruit, contrasted with the sounds of people advertising their wares, an Italian radio and the distant sounds of sirens hurrying through the city. Along with a great deal of bartering and purchasing, many fantastic photos were taken, providing even more excellent source material for future coursework.

Donatello's statue of Mary Magdalene in the Opera del Duomo was stunning. Nothing can prepare you for the feelings that were evoked by seeing this statue. The true complexities of human character and emotion were expressed on the face of this woman and, though not sculpted in a polished and lifelike manner, this statue brings forth grief, pain and suffering, all vividly conveyed with psychological realism. It brought a tear to the eye and that feeling of overwhelming emotion will be an unforgettable moment.

After a great deal of walking, photography, a trip out to Siena and San Gimignano, eating, sketching and sightseeing we can return to England with yet another fantastic experience of an art trip. It is certain that we will all have memories that will last us a lifetime.

A huge thank you must go to the teachers for their effort and organisation and a special thanks to our tour guide, group leader and weatherman, Mr Downey.

Millie Diamond & Katie Minshall

Mr Downey adds:

Thank you to all the students who came along to Florence and made the trip such a great success. They got involved, they walked tirelessly everywhere, they asked endless questions and they were obsessive about working in their sketchbooks. We (me, Mrs Hollingworth and Miss Black) were suitably impressed and hope that this isn't the end of it but just the start, as Florence lives on in their coursework.

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